Introduction
The College was founded in 1956 by United Missionary Society. Since then, it has produced thousands of pastors, evangelists, teachers/lecturers and other forms of civil servants. Although owned by an evangelical denomination, it admits, indeed its products are from other denominations – orthodox, evangelicals, Pentecostals, etc. The academics of UMCATC are women and men of integrity and professionals in their areas of specializations. They are concerned with deepening Christianity in Africa, and hence they nurture our students with the aim of integrating their hearts and minds in sound Christianity. Our environment is also serene and conducive for spiritual development. The library consists of thousands of resources in both hard and soft copies. We are accredited by the National Universities Commission (Nigeria’s University accreditation agency) as an affiliate of the University of Ibadan and the University of Ilorin, both in Nigeria. The College also has an affiliate status with Association of Christian Theological Education in Africa (ACTEA). Hence, if you are looking for an academically sound theological education with the passionate concern to extend the Kingdom of God and deepen sound Christianity in Africa, UMCATC is the place for your preparation.
History
The UMCA Theological College was established in the year 1956, by Missionaries from the United Missionary Church of Canada. It was intended to provide higher theological education above the three existing vernacular Bible schools then. It was intended to be a place of training where prospective Pastors, Teachers and Missionaries from any part of the World could attend. The initial support for the College came fully from the Missionary Church of Canada. The first three and fifth principals of the College were Canadians. The fourth, and sixth to eight principals, later called Provosts till date, were Nigerians. The College was initially called United Missionary Theological College (UMTC). After the Missionaries handed over full administration to Nigerians, the name became United Missionary Church of Africa Theological College (UMCATC). With the hand over, financing became largely the responsibility of the United Missionary Church of Africa (UMCA) with some financial assistance from Canada and the United States. Missionaries come from time to time from Canada to augment the staff strength. The financial needs of the College today are met by students’ fees to the tune of up to 90%. The College has graduated about 5,000 students since its founding, with at least 70% of them engaged in pastoral work and cross-cultural Missions in Nigeria and abroad. Others teach Christian Religious Studies in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions.
Vision
The vision of UMCA Theological College, Ilorin, Nigeria is to be a Christian centre of higher education whose products fully share the mission of Jesus Christ – the extension of the ‘Kingdom of God’, and hence, whose personal interest is the common good, whose hearts and minds are integrated in the pursuit of this mission and to whom the theoretical is not divorced from the practical.
Mission
- To lead each student to a fuller experience of Christ as Saviour and Lord, and to the development of a truly Christian character.
- To guide each student into a more thorough knowledge of the Word of God and to equip him or her with critical methods for its application.
- To give students a love for, and a dedication to the church and to show them their place in its worldwide commission.
- To train effective Christian Religious Studies teachers/lecturers for primary, secondary and tertiary schools.
- To train pastors and evangelists to serve effectively in their pastoral and prophetic ministers.
- To make students aware of the relationship between the church and society.
The mission of the College includes:
Accreditation
The College is affiliated to the University of Ibadan, Nigeria for Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Religious Studies. We also have a correspondence status with the Association for Christian Theological Education in Africa (ACTEA) and we have applied for accredited status, which is yet to be granted.
Affiliation
The College is set up and is owned by the United Missionary Church of Africa (UMCA) in Nigeria, which associates with World Partners (an association of Missionary Churches in U.S.A., Canada and Africa).
Core Values & Tenets
God
We believe that the one and only God is Spirit, self-existent, infinite, personal, immutable and eternal in His Being. We believe in His perfect holiness, love, justice, goodness, wisdom and truth, omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence. We believe that God is the creator and sustainer of the universe, and that He is eternally existent in three persons, one in substance and co-equal in power and glory – Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Psalm 139:7-10; Malachi 3:16; John 4:24; II Corinthians 13:14).
The Bible
We believe that the Bible, consisting of the sixty-six books of both the Old and New Testaments, given by divine inspiration, is inerrant in its original manuscripts and is the final authority in matters pertaining to faith and conduct. We accept the right and duty of personal judgment, under the illumination of the Holy Spirit, in the interpretation of the Holy Scriptures (II Timothy 3:16; I Peter 1:25; II Peter 1:21).We believe that the Bible, consisting of the sixty-six books of both the Old and New Testaments, given by divine inspiration, is inerrant in its original manuscripts and is the final authority in matters pertaining to faith and conduct. We accept the right and duty of personal judgment, under the illumination of the Holy Spirit, in the interpretation of the Holy Scriptures (II Timothy 3:16; I Peter 1:25; II Peter 1:21).
Human Being
We believe that human being was created in the image of God but fell into sin and therefore was lost; and only through regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation and spiritual life be obtained (Genesis 1:27; Acts 4:12; Romans 3:23).
Jesus Christ & The Work of Salvation
We believe in Jesus Christ as the only begotten Son of God; He is fully God and fully Man. We believe in the truth of His teaching and the perfect sacrifice for the sin of the world which He offered once and for all by His death on the cross; His bodily resurrection from the dead and His ascension; His intercession and His coming again in power and glory (John 1:18; 3:16; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 4:15).
The Holy Spirit
We believe in the Holy Spirit as the third person of the Godhead, and that through His illumination, conviction and regeneration, men are brought to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ; His continuing work of sanctification and empowerment in the lives of believers, and their divine preservation unto eternal life (Acts 1:8; Romans 10:9; Galatians 4:4; I Thessalonians 5:23; II Thessalonians 2:13).
The Church
We believe in the Holy Spirit as the third person of the Godhead, and that through His illumination, conviction and regeneration, men are brought to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ; His continuing work of sanctification and empowerment in the lives of believers, and their divine preservation unto eternal life (Acts 1:8; Romans 10:9; Galatians 4:4; I Thessalonians 5:23; II Thessalonians 2:13).
The Last Things
We believe in the physical second advent of Christ, which is the hope of the church, the source of her encouragement, consolation, and up-building for purification, holiness and inspiration for activity and service; the resurrection of the body and the final judgment of all men; the eternal perfection and blessedness of the saved and the eternal punishment of the lost (John 14:1-3; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Hebrews 12:5-8; Revelation 21:7-22:7).
National Anthem
School Anthem
Past Provosts
Rev Auburn Witt
Rev. John Bontrager
Rev. Granbt Sloss
Rev. Russell Sloat
Rev Jacob Bawa
Rev. Dr. J.T Harman
Rev. Prof. M.F Akangbe
Rev. Prof. Samuel Peni Ango
Rev. Dr. Peter Awojobi
