GCBI North History
Renew Church (www.renewchurch.ca) has been making disciples of Jesus Christ in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) since 1998. Our vision is to grow a network of people throughout the GTA who are willing to lose their life to help others find theirs in Christ. In order to accomplish this vision in a city like Toronto, we need to develop young leaders who are thoroughly equipped in God’s Word and in doing ministry in a secular, pluralistic, post-Christian context. As part of the Charis Fellowship (www.charisfellowship.com), our school was inspired by our friends from the Great Commission Bible Institute in Sebring, Florida, who generously helped us get our school started. This venture has been the fulfillment of a long-time dream, and we are excited to be bringing affordable Bible school training to the GTA that will root young people deeply in their faith and prepare them for life and ministry here and throughout North America.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
GCBI North is a one-year Bible school program that exists for the purpose of producing people of godly character who are biblically grounded and effective in practical Christian ministry, particularly in a post-Christian, metropolitan context. Our goal is to root our students deeply in God’s Word and to help them defend their faith in a world that is hostile to God and his truth. Only then will they be prepared to live strong Christian lives and build the church of tomorrow.
There are many schools where one can study the Bible, but none like GCBI North.
Our chief concern for our students is that they build solid biblical convictions based on their guided personal study of the Word of God. We are convinced that in 2 Timothy 3:16, the Holy Spirit used the Apostle Paul to instruct a younger man in ministry (Timothy) on the way to a completed training in godly living. Paul wrote that the Bible was God’s divine plan to produce effective and holy disciples, and in that same spirit, we desire for our students to master the biblical text and to be changed by it as they use the it in their life, work and ministry. Further, the training for service will be offered in direct connection to local church ministry – the biblically mandated means of training.
While many educational programs are removed from the local church, our experience is designed to help students integrate in the local church while working within that context. To achieve this outcome, the school curriculum is based on biblical studies, cultural contextualization, leadership development, personal discipleship, and evangelism – all while participating in local church ministry on a weekly basis. We are committed to helping students thrive in their specific areas of gifting and passion so as to prepare them for high-level leadership in the local church, whether that be in full-time church ministry or as a kingdom-focused layperson. Specific experience can be gained in a variety of ways, including Leadership, Worship, A/V Tech, Children’s Ministry, and Administration.
Students have the benefit of a team in order to meet these goals, with video teaching from GCBI Founder, Dr. Randall Smith, live teaching from Renew Church’s Lead Pastor, Bartley Sawatsky, an experienced team of Executive Staff, class facilitation and mentorship from numerous Internship Directors (trained pastors and ministry leaders), and hands-on encouragement and accountability from our Residence Directors. (For a full list of our personnel, see Staff.)
One of the most formative aspects of our program is having the students sharing life together in community. Our Residence Directors help the students learn to live considerately and unselfishly with their fellow students while learning to take responsibility for themselves. Many of our graduates say that it was the best part of the GCBI North experience. It is truly incredible to see the lifelong bonds that form between the students as a result.