About The Institute
Serious theological training.
In the local church.
Our History
Grace Theological Institute began in 2021 as the leadership development ministry of Grace Fellowship Church in Edmonton, Alberta. Our initial goal was to train and equip elders within our own church, in addition to preparing biblically qualified men for church planting and missionary work. In that first year, we launched a two-year course of study designed to deepen students’ understanding of Scripture and develop the skills necessary to serve as elders in the local church. Our first class consisted of three students who were eager to study the Bible and learn how to faithfully shepherd Christ's flock.
By 2022, interest began to grow beyond our local church, with Christians from other regions reaching out to enrol in our program. By the fall of 2023, this demand increased, with students from across Canada and overseas inquiring about studying with us. This eventually led to the development of our own online campus alongside our residential ministry in Edmonton.
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Today, we serve a growing student body and offer a variety of program options. Though we are still early in our journey, we marvel at what the Lord is doing. Our certificate and diploma programs integrate robust academic study with hands-on ministry experience—for the good of the church and the glory of God.
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Our Mission
We exist to provide biblically sound and accessible theological training for the good of the church and our glory of God.
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Our Values
In our academics and community life, we are committed to remaining:
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Fiercely Biblical
We believe that Scripture is the inspired Word of God and is sufficient, clear, authoritative, and inerrant. All instruction, curriculum, and ministry training must be grounded in the authority of Scripture.
Academically Rigorous
We strive for excellence in theological education through careful study, critical thinking, and disciplined scholarship.
Distinctly Pastoral
Theological education should serve the church. We seek to cultivate not merely informed minds but consecrated lives. Nearly all of our classes are taught by pastor-theologians who aim to shepherd our students towards great conformity to Christ.
Church-Centered
The local church is God's primary institution for discipleship and ministry training. We partner with churches rather than replace them.
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Our Confession of Faith
Grace Theological Institute is committed to upholding historic Christian orthodoxy as summarized in our Confession of Faith (The Second London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689). While students are not required to agree with every doctrinal position held by the Institute, they are expected to respect the confessional commitments that shape our instruction and community life.​​
Other Doctrinal Convictions
We wholeheartedly affirm the following doctrinal statements and declarations:​​​​
Frequently Asked Questions​
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Q: What does a typical course look like?
A: This varies by course and is largely dependent on credit hours. For instance:
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2 credit hour courses are delivered over the course of two months, while 3 credit hour courses usually take three months to complete.
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Course lectures are offered in-person and online. 2 credit hour courses usually have 20-30 hours of lectures, while 3 credit hour courses have 30-40 hours of lectures.
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2 credit courses require approximately 500 pages of reading, while 3 credit courses have approximately 750 pages of reading.
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Each course has 2-3 assignments, exams, or projects to complete.
Q: Do students need to live in Edmonton to attend?
A: Whenever possible, students are encouraged to join us as residential students and immerse themselves in their learning; however, we recognize that this is not feasible for many. For this reason, we accept distance education students. For distance students, we simply require that they and their families maintain membership in a biblically faithful local church that is prepared to fully support them in their learning and pastoral residency.​​​
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Q: Can I work while enrolled in the Institute?
A: Yes. We encourage our part-time students to continue to work and provide for their families. Our students typically spend 8-12 hours per week in their studies. Additionally, we encourage each student to be an active member of their local church.
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Q: Can I audit classes at Grace Theological Institute?
A: Individuals may audit classes if they are interested; however, space may be limited depending on our current cohort sizes. Please contact us at admissions@graceinstitute.ca to inquire.
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Q: Is Grace Theological Institute an accredited seminary?
A: No. Grace Theological Institute is not recognized by an accrediting body.​
