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34-823: Columbia Bible College has its roots in two Abbotsford schools that merged in 1970. The Mennonite Brethren Bible Institute (MBBI) began in the South Abbotsford Mennonite Brethren Church in 1936 and was called the South Abbotsford Mennonite Brethren Bible School. In 1943, a suitable building was moved to the South Abbotsford church site and the school was renamed Bethel Bible School. Three Mennonite Brethren churches - South Abbotsford, Clearbrook, and Matsqui - joined to support Bethel, which had 34 students that year. The introduction of

68-511: A Mennonite-focused high school. Support for this concept grew very slowly. Only seven churches were represented at the first meeting, and one of these was strongly opposed to the idea. However, at a second meeting on June 5, 1944, representatives from nine churches voiced their support; this group of supporters became the MEI Society churches. At this meeting, Mr. C. Toews, Mr. G. Sukkau and Mr. A. Bauman were elected to go to Victoria to present

102-577: A finalist in the Fraser Institute 's recognition of Academic Excellence in the province. The school's stated commitment is "the assurance that all MEI graduates are qualified for admission into universities, colleges, technical, and Bible schools." Over 50% of MEI's students complete their year on the school's Honour Roll, which requires an average of 80% and higher, and more than 2/3 of graduates move on to post-secondary institutions. The Fraser Institute's 2014 report card on school performance gave

136-576: A high school program led to a temporary relocation of Bethel to a private site in Clearbrook in 1945. In 1946, the Mennonite Educational Institute moved its high school to a new building in Clearbrook, and Bethel returned to its South Abbotsford campus. Under the leadership of J. F. Redekop, principal from 1944, the school gained the additional support of East Aldergrove, McCallum Road, and Arnold M.B. churches. In 1955,

170-514: A meager beginning, the project continued to move forward. It was assumed right from the beginning that the Bible school annex was a temporary solution, and discussions about whether the school should be located in Abbotsford or Yarrow continued. Eventually, 2 acres (8,100 m ) were purchased at the corner of Clearbrook and Old Yale Roads, and blueprints were drawn for a six-room school. It

204-665: A preschool, elementary, middle, and secondary school — and is regularly ranked as one of the top schools in British Columbia . Initially founded in the first-half of the 20th century as an independent high school by a group of churches belonging to the Mennonite community, the MEI schools now welcomes students from a wide-range of religious, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. While weekly chapel services are still held, students are welcome to come from any faith or background. MEI has

238-485: A record enrollment of 233 students in 1972–73, four extra housing units (mobiles) were added. In 1975–76, a third year was added to the curriculum and a new record enrollment of 266 was reached. In 1976, a three-story, apartment-style dormitory was constructed. Two years later, the apartment complex was sold, and 5 acres (20,000 m) of land adjacent to the existing campus were purchased for use as an athletics field and for possible campus development. In 1988, Columbia Hall,

272-665: A special Bethel Bible Institute Study Conference on the future of the school was held in May 1967. After prayerful discernment and much dialogue with the Mennonite Brethren Conference of B.C. in 1968–70, the Conference of Mennonites decided to close Bethel and merge with MBBI in nearby Clearbrook. Bethel Bible Institute then became Columbia Bible Institute. The decade of the seventies was one of growth and expansion for Columbia Bible Institute (CBI). To accommodate

306-525: A strong tradition of both academic, musical, and athletic performance with graduating students going on to attend top universities across Canada, the US, and UK. The MEI Eagles, the school's official sporting teams, have competed in a wide range of national and international competitions. In May 1944, representatives of fourteen churches in British Columbia were invited to a meeting to discuss starting

340-454: A third teacher, Mr. H. Nikkel, was hired. However, the war intruded again, and several of the young men who had begun attending received their conscription notices and were forced to leave. In order to help the fledgling school get on its feet, all three teachers accepted salaries at 50-70% of those paid in the local school district. The 44 remaining students generated only $ 3,520 of the $ 4,200 required for their salaries that year. Despite such

374-432: A three-story residence was completed. An office, administration and library complex was constructed in 1992. An Athletics Centre was built in 2001, home to the "Bearcats". It features two full size courts and seating for 1200. The Student Centre was expanded in 2004, including a new kitchen and dining room, several student lounges, a career and health/wellness center, student life offices, and a recreation room. A new dormitory

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408-613: Is provided by a board of directors, consisting of 6 executive and 15 non-executive members elected by members of MEI's 12 supporting churches. MEI has maintained a tradition of academic rigor throughout its 60-year history, consistently ranking 78 of 529 secondary schools in BC for student performance on provincial exams . Students in Grades 4, 7 and 10 met public and private school average results in standardized Math & Academics Reading test and in 2012, MEI graduating students were recognized as

442-651: The Pacific Western Athletic Association . In 2011 the Bearcats Men's volleyball team won their first CCAA national championship. The team returned to nationals in 2014. Mennonite Educational Institute The Mennonite Educational Institute (MEI) is an independent country day school located in Abbotsford British Columbia , approximately 70 kilometres from Vancouver . MEI consists of four divisions —

476-664: The Bible School Society (consisting of the six supporting churches) purchased land in Clearbrook and erected what is now the old wing of the classroom building. This became the MBBI. In 1960, the British Columbia Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches accepted the responsibility for the operation of MBBI. A record enrollment of 96 was established in 1961–62. The first dormitory was built on

510-602: The Society address one of their goals for the next ten years — to build a satellite campus in that area. The Chilliwack campus was founded in 1990 and operated under the authority of Valley Christian School. In 2001, the Parent Society of financially troubled VCS released the school so that it could become part of the MEI Society. MEI Chilliwack offered Kindergarten to Grade 9; students of high school age who wished to continue their education at MEI were compelled to travel to

544-467: The Society resolved to begin actively searching for a possible new site. It was the vision and drive of the Friend of the MEI that provided the impetus for relocation to the present site at the corner of Clearbrook and Downes Road; the school moved in 1980. In keeping with the "tradition" of continual expansion, the new school building has already seen two additions: one at the east end in 1988, and another at

578-412: The campus in 1962. Increasing enrollments led to two additional dormitories: Redekop Hall in 1966 and Centennial Hall in 1967. A new wing with chapel, classrooms, and music rooms was also added in 1967. In 1970, Mennonite Brethren Conference of B.C. and the Conference of Mennonites in B.C. entered into a five-year working agreement to operate one Bible school. MBBI merged with Bethel Bible Institute, which

612-409: The community formed a new society called "Friend of the MEI", with the goal of providing financial assistance to the school in order to expand its program offerings and to renovate or relocate the school building. For the first several years of operation, the "Friend" contributed exclusively to the school's operational budget. But discussions about moving the school to a new campus burgeoned, and in 1976,

646-714: The fall. Mr. Isaak J. Dyck of Winkler, Manitoba was hired to teach at a salary of $ 1,500 per year. Mr. F.C. Thiessen taught as well, and served as principal for the first year. A 26'x46' addition was hurriedly built onto the Bible School at a cost of $ 1,500. Churches which had pledged support were levied a $ 1 per member fee, thereby raising $ 2,300 to cover the costs of building and outfitting the school with desks, blackboards, and basic library and lab equipment. Student tuitions were set at $ 80. Interest in MEI that first year exceeded expectations, with sixty students wishing to enroll. Since some Grade 11 students also wished to attend,

680-534: The government, qualified teachers must be hired, and the English language must be used. In addition, Grade 12 students would be required to write departmental examinations. However, further obstacles surfaced. Due to wartime restrictions, no building permits could be obtained to erect a new building. On July 3, 1944, representatives from ten churches met to discuss this. It was decided to enlarge South Abbotsford Bible School , allowing Grades 9 and 10 to be offered in

714-508: The gym wall in basketball in 1963 and volleyball in 2013. Individual MEI athletes have, in the past, also won gold at the high school swimming, golf and track and field championships. Pacific Western Athletic Association The Pacific Western Athletic Association is a Canadian college athletic conference affiliated in the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). The Commissioner of

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748-613: The main campus in Abbotsford. On July 1, 2010, the Chilliwack school became independent once again, under the name of Cascade Christian School. In 2003, construction began on a middle school on Downes Road, next to the secondary school building. In the fall of 2004, the doors to this latest addition were opened, reducing the number of students in the elementary school to 450 by limiting it to Grades K - 5. The new middle school had 370 students enrolled, with space available for approximately another 100 students. This addition also meant that

782-561: The opening of a Bible school in Coghlan (now Aldergrove ) on the premises of the Bethel Mennonite Church. Twenty-two people enrolled in the tuition free classes at Bethel, which were taught by three instructors without pay. A society was formed which operated the school for three years (1941–1944), until the Conference of Mennonites in BC assumed full responsibility for the institute. A 4-acre (16,000 m) tract of land

816-456: The plan to the provincial government. The committee met with Dr. Samuel John Willis, British Columbia's long-serving Deputy Minister of Education, who pointed out the advantages of integration into the public Canadian school system for students of Mennonite origin. Eventually, however, he stated that the government had no objection to the establishment of an independent school, if three conditions were met: there would be no financial support from

850-671: The portable classrooms could finally be removed. With the Grade 8 classes moved into the middle school, the secondary school's enrollment has been lowered to a more manageable 635 students. MEI is classified as a Group 1 school under British Columbia's Independent School Act, and as such receives only 50% of the Abbotsford School District ’s per student operating grant from the Ministry of Education. The school receives no government funding for capital costs . Governance

884-401: The secondary school 8.1 out of 10 and ranked it 30th out of 289 schools. When its elementary school is compared to other local public elementary schools it ranks 3 out of 8 when students with learning disabilities are factored out. After adding basketball to its academic offerings in 1946, the school has attained excellence in a number of sports, hanging BC Provincial Championship Banners on

918-600: The west end in 1992. These additions give the secondary school a total floor area of over 70,000 square feet (6,500 m ). MEI expanded its program offerings beyond the secondary grades for the first time in 1993, with the introduction of Kindergarten and Grade 1. A complete elementary school opened its doors in 1997 on the Abbotsford campus, the site of a former soccer field for the secondary school, and offered Kindergarten to Grade 7. By 2003, this school had 608 students enrolled. MEI Chilliwack, established in July, 2001, helped

952-556: Was completed at the end of 2011, replacing the dormitories dismantled in 2004 to allow for the expansion of the Student Centre. Redekop Hall can accommodate 130 students. The working agreement between the Mennonite Brethren and the Conference of Mennonites at CBI was studied from time to time with the desire to make it a partnership in equality, not merely a partnership in operation. In 1982, this co-operative effort

986-467: Was decided that for 1946–47, South Abbotsford Bible School would move to property which had been purchased north of Clearbrook, on the present Columbia Bible College site, allowing the high school to expand into the entire Bible School building until the new facility was ready for occupancy. The building period appears to have been very difficult. Some materials, such as kiln-dried lumber , could not be obtained due to war shortages, volunteer labour (which

1020-584: Was established to actively promote and teach a strong evangelical Anabaptist/Mennonite theology as reflected in the school's Confession of Faith and confessions of the supporting conferences. On June 26, 1987, the B.C. Legislative Assembly passed the Columbia Bible College Act, giving Columbia the right to grant theological degrees. Columbia Bible College Athletics is known by their team name The Columbia Bearcats. The school has both men's and women's Volleyball and Basketball which compete in

1054-610: Was expanded into a covenant whereby the Mennonite Brethren invited the Conference of Mennonites to unite in the ownership and development of CBI, not merely its operation and governance. At the June 11, 1982 joint convention, the Conference of Mennonites responded to the Mennonite Brethren invitation by affirming a continuing covenant of togetherness in working in God's kingdom. Thus, the first inter-Mennonite Bible Institute in North America

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1088-515: Was needed to keep the costs down) was not always readily available, and money from churches to support the project was slow coming in. Several large bank loans were necessary and anxiety about the school's future ran high. However, despite setbacks and difficulties, the building was occupied in December 1946, and grew steadily over most of the next 34 years, both in physical size and in student enrollment. In April 1973 several concerned businessmen in

1122-408: Was purchased in Abbotsford next to West Abbotsford Mennonite Church, and a dormitory for women was built. In 1947, the administration building was erected. In 1951–52, enrollment increased to 61 students and a dormitory for men was built. The women's dormitory was renovated in 1963. A teachers' residence was erected in 1964. When attendance diminished in the 1960s and the facilities needed improvement,

1156-417: Was the Conference of Mennonites' school. To accommodate the 189 students enrolled, a new dining room/ student lounge complex was built. In 1970, Bethel Bible Institute became Columbia Bible Institute. Bethel Bible Institute grew out of the concern to establish a Bible school to meet local and provincial church needs amongst the Conference of Mennonites in British Columbia. In 1939, Rev. N. W. Bahnman announced

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