History

Established in 1939, we are building on our heritage, preparing graduates to take their place with thousands of alumni in Canada and around the world.

A Spiritual Renewal Movement

1901

An outpouring of the Holy Spirit in 1901 at a Bible college in Topeka, Kansas ushered in a series of events that by 1906 had reached the Azuza Street Mission in Los Angeles and the Hebden Mission in Toronto, Canada. This spiritual renewal movement spread across the North American continent and took root in various communities. It soon became apparent to the early congregations that more could be accomplished for the kingdom by banding together in larger organizations than by their individual efforts, and so by 1919, the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (PAOC) was established. Early in its formation, the PAOC recognized the need for a systematic program to train their future leaders. The first national three-year Bible School—Canadian Pentecostal Bible School—was established under the leadership of Dr. J.E. Purdie in Winnipeg by a directive from the PAOC General Conference in 1925.

1930

In 1930 the college moved to Toronto, but the challenges of operating during the depression years took their toll, and the college closed in 1932. By 1938, the PAOC pastors in Ontario expressed their growing desire for a Bible College in Eastern Canada. The Ontario District Conferences appointed “The Standing Committee of Bible Schools for Eastern Canada” and recommended to the PAOC General Conference in June 1938 that three Bible schools be established, geographically dispersed across the country.

1939

As a result, Ontario Bible College opened its doors in Toronto on October 3, 1939, with 45 students registered for the term. They selected “The Pioneers” for their class name. James Swanson became the first president, who after his sudden death in May 1940 was followed by C.B. Smith and later Tom Johnstone. In 1944 the Eastern Ontario & Quebec and Western Ontario districts assumed responsibility for the college. The Maritime District became part of the supporting constituency in 1948 (with Newfoundland and Labrador soon after), and the college was renamed “Eastern Pentecostal Bible College” to better reflect the expanding constituency. During its first decade of operation, the college had grown from 45 students to an enrolment of 240, and quickly outgrew its various church-hosted accommodations.

1951 – 1998

In May 1951, the Nicholls Hospital building on Argyle Street in Peterborough was purchased, providing the college with classrooms and a residential setting. Substantial additions were made over the years, including the C.B. Smith Memorial Building (1963), the Charles Ratz Education Building (1974), the Emma Hann and Bronsdon Halls, which replaced Blair Hall, and a Library/cafeteria extension. During its peak period in the 1980s/1990s the school hosted annual enrolments of more than five-hundred full time students on the Argyle grounds.

1999

In April 1999, district executives met to discuss the future of Pentecostal training for Eastern Canada. As a result, two reports were tabled: “Education for the Next Generation” and “Final Proposal for the New Institute.” These initiatives set the groundwork for the present Master’s College & Seminary. The proposal brought Eastern Pentecostal Bible College together with Canadian Pentecostal Seminary-East (which had been formed in 1996 in cooperation with Tyndale Seminary).

In June of 2003, Master’s College & Seminary relocated to a facility at Yonge and Lawrence in Toronto. The Toronto location was to serve as both a non-residential central campus for students attending classes in the city, and as a hub from which to administer the network of online and church-based theological education envisioned as the future. Despite good intentions, enrolment and financial support for the new initiatives did not materialize. Rather, the college confronted serious financial duress as well as a disaffected constituency.

2007

Throughout 2007-2008, Master’s underwent a rebuild phase that included a strategy to reconnect with its supporting churches. Under the gifted leadership of President Dr. William Morrow, the college was guided through an interim stay at a church-based campus (Willowdale) in Toronto and a return to the Argyle Street campus, Peterborough in the fall of 2010.

2013

In 2013, Rev. Richard Janes became the twelfth President of Master’s College and Seminary. Under his guidance and leadership, Master’s continued to explore and adopt creative and innovative models of education that included personal and corporate spiritual development, relevant hands-on practical experience and a commitment to mentoring. Building upon the foundation of the kingdom-minded people who simply said “yes” in 1939, the leadership, faculty and staff of Master’s were proud to launch a decade of “reflective practitioners” into their ministry callings.

A New Partnership

2023

In May 2023, MCS Transitional President Bill Morrow was tasked with finding the best options for the future of MCS. Morrow weighed input from visioning groups, pastors, district and section leaders, board members, and alumni. In early summer, a dynamic solution quickly appeared when Morrow connected with President Jeromey Martini from Horizon College & Seminary  – a Canadian Christian leadership college operating out of Saskatchewan.

In November 2023, Master’s and Horizon signed a partnership letter of intent to join forces. The aim of the new partnership being to make Christian leadership training more accessible and affordable, sharing costs, curriculum, and faculty in a lean and sustainable collaborative operating model.

MCS and Horizon will continue operating in Ontario and Saskatchewan respectively, granting degrees under their distinct names. Martini began as President of both institutions in January of 2024, serving alongside Morrow. Together, they will coordinate and consolidate curriculum, resources, faculty, and staff cross-provincially, and set up church-based learning hubs.

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