IBL offers academic and non-academic courses

St-Laurent, Que.

Since its inception in 1976, IBL has become a multi-ministry teaching, research and development centre in Christian education. There are four areas of activities from which IBL ministries are set into action: the academic program, the Centre for Research and Curriculum Development in Christian education, the Urban ministries and the Micro-Program. If one thinks of IBL in terms of regular Bible school operations, one will have difficulty understanding what is actually happening within the framework of this institution.

In the academic program, IBL offers a certificate in Religious Studies in conjunction with the University of Montreal. This fall semester IBL has 31 students registered in the academic program: 8 full-time, 21 part-time and 2 auditors. Thirteen are female students, 18 are male; 13 are involved in diverse pastoral or urban ministries.

The Micro-Program is a non-academic program designed to answer specific Christian Education needs and interests of a church or a group of individuals. Micro-courses are offered in the local churches. The Micro-Program has attracted 103 people in its first year of operation and 116 in 1995-96.

The Centre for Research and Curriculum Development is involved in the production and publishing of Christian education material for children. Currently, the Centre has already published 5 different programs consisting of 13 to 15 lessons each. It has sold more than 300 copies to its 67 customers from various denominational backgrounds, including evangelical, mainline Protestant and Catholic churches. Inquiries about the programs have come from as far away as France, Senegal, Ivory Coast and Chad.

Finally, for many years IBL has offered courses in Urban Ministries, one of the greatest needs in world missions today. In addition, IBL is a partner in Urbanus, a coalition of denominations and agencies from North America, Europe and Africa formed to collaborate in the training of French-speaking urban Christian workers. IBL was the host site for the two first consultations of Urbanus.

IBL release

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