BUILD 1 YEAR PROGRAMS: LAY A FOUNDATION

Because where you end up has a lot to do with where you start.

At Vanguard, we don't believe God has called everyone to full-time vocational ministry But we do believe He has called us all to ministry of some form. The Great Commission applies to those hoping to be doctors, lawyers, actors, plumbers and painters. There are many great schools to train you for those career paths, and many of them do not hold - or nurture - a Biblical worldview. That is why it is critical to lay a solid foundation with a 1 Year Certificate from Vanguard College.

We challenge you to give God 1 year of your life and watch what He does with it. What better way to start building an incredible future?

Find answers to your questions below, like what essential building blocks make up every BUILD certificate, descriptions of each option, and what you can continue to build after you complete your BUILD year at Vanguard. You can also request more information and start your build process today.

Building Blocks

These elements make all BUILD programs at Vanguard an incredible foundational experience.

1. Sprit-Filled Atmosphere

Not only is God's Word living and active at Vanguard College - God Himself is! If you are going to give God a year of your life, we believe it is critical that you experience Him in a real way every day. Vanguard's powerful chapel services make this a reality - with intense times of worship and prayer that will leave you changed. You will be transformed at Vanguard by what happens outside of class-time as much as what happens in it.

2. Intense Community

   Each BUILD Certificate is a part of a larger program at Vanguard College. LIFT, for instance, is a part of the School of Pastoral Leadership. HMS is a part of the School of World Discipleship. That means you get to be fully part of a program, even if you attend for just 1 year. Each program has its' own retreat, many social events and ministry trips where community is fostered. Each program also has a Program Director, who really sees his role as not only professor, but also pastor to every student in his program. Come for 1 year, leave with relationships that will last your lifetime.

3. Hands-On, Experiential Learning

At Vanguard, we believe the best lessons are caught, not just taught. That is why every program has a ministry component. When you take a 1 year missions certificate (HMS), you will find yourself oversees for 5-6 weeks. A 1 year Youth Ministry Certificate will take you to youth groups across Alberta and beyond. A 1 year Worship certificate will have you singing with Vanguard's Worship Choir at churches and major conferences like Breakforth Canada.

The fact that our students live in the community, rather than dorms, also puts them at the forefront of ministry - every day. In the fall, we rake leaves, in the winter we may shovel walks. Students live alongside non-Christians every day, and have the chance to share Jesus with their lives.

BUILD OPTIONS

Vanguard doesn't just offer one or two 1 year certificates. We believe God's call is as diverse as the people He has created, and so we offer many options - even if you are just looking to lay a solid foundation.

Click the certificate names below to be taken to the program profile page for that certificate. Once there, you can also look around and read more about the program that certificate is a part of.

• LIFT - Build Your Own Certificate
  • With LIFT (Leaders in Frontline Training) Vanguard lays out half of your certificate for you, and you get to choose the other have from a variety of excellent courses. If you are not looking at a specific area of ministry, but want to be stretched and challenged in your faith in ways that are relevant to who you are, this is the perfect option. Find out more ...
    
• CMC - Children & Family Ministry Certificate
  • Want to try your hand at Children's Ministry for a year? Then you will love this certificate, with its' heavy practical ministry focus. You will learn about Children and Family Ministry from real practitioners, but also get out there and do it, with the Kids Travel Company! Find out more ...
    
• HMS - School of World Discipleship 1 Year Missions Certificate
  • HMS (His Majesty's Service) is one of our longest running certificates, and gives you an amazing opportunity to learn about God's Word and God's World. This year will take you all over Alberta, on a Canada Missions experience (we have gone to Vancouver and Ft.Smith) and an international Missions experience, like a 6 week trip to China! Find out more ...
    
• TMS - School of Worship
  • Vanguard is known for our amazing Worship Choir. Your one year with The Master's Signature (TMS) will bring you closer to Jesus Christ, but also give you an intense passion for worship. You will travel Alberta and perhaps beyond with the Vanguard Worship Choir, and have the chance to hone your instrument of choice as well. Past student have had incredible opportunities like recording an album, singing with Paul Beloche, ministering and Breakforth and YC conferences and more! Find out more ...
    
• TESOL Certificate
  • Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) is an amazing option to open doors for world impact. One of our newest certificate options, this intensive course will give you the tools you need to become a TESOL teacher or missionary. This course is offered at a special time each year beginning in May. Find out more ...
    
• YMI1 - Youth Ministry 1 Year Certificate
  • Have a passion to work with youth, but not sure you want to be a full-time Youth Pastor? YMI1 could be the perfect option for you . Not only will you learn about youth culture and ministry dynamics from those who have been there, you will meet many new friends, and get the chance to visit youth groups from tons of different churches across Alberta with the Youth Ministry Impact Team. Find out more ...
    
• IBOLT Certificates
  • If you are unable to attend full-time classes, we still have 1 year options for you! IBOLT, our online and distance learning provider, offers many 1 year certificate programs that receive credit through Vanguard College! Find out more ...

Continue to Build - Where you can go from here ...

There are many options for the future you can continue to build after your 1 year program at Vanguard.

You may decide to go into a secular career, like being a doctor, musician, mechanic - whatever. In this case, you will go on with a solid understanding of God's Word and a deeper relationship with Him and some of His people.

OR...

You may decide you want to go into missions, pastoring or some other form of full-time ministry In that case, we have great news for you. You can head right into your second year of studies at Vanguard, without missing a beat. We honor what you have built, and want you to keep on building!

What Can I Transfer?

Transfer credits are a complicated issue that we would be happy to discuss with you more fully. Suffice it to say that most secular programs will not recognize your 1 year of Bible College training. It is just not applicable to your further studies with those institutions and has very little, if anything, to do with Vanguard as an institution.

Vanguard is fully accredited with the ABHE (Association for Biblical Higher Education) which means our courses ARE transferable to many other Christian Colleges and Bible Colleges, as long as they apply to your course of study with that school, and your marks are satisfactory.

Want More Information?

We'd love to send you some more information and talk with you about BUILD. Maybe you can even come by for a tour sometime soon and "feel it" for yourself.

To start the process, click here ...