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PURSUE - Launching On-Campus Fall 2026

Young Adults walking together on a bridge

An 8-month Discipleship Program

PURSUE exists to equip students with a strong Biblical foundation, spiritual formation, and opportunities to gain practical ministry-leadership skills, so they are well-equipped for Christian life and ministry in the world today.

Launching On-Campus Fall 2026

Why PURSUE?

Build a Biblical Foundation

  • Introduction to college-level learning through taking courses alongside other Vanguard students
  • Dive into PURSUE-specific Formation courses that are designed to help you grow closer in relationship with Jesus
  • Learn how to read the Bible well; understand the context and know the overarching story
  • Develop skills in Bible study and interpretation

Engage in Spiritual Formation

  • Learn about spiritual disciplines, intentionally practicing them in your daily life
  • Develop habits and practices to intentionally grow closer to God while better knowing yourself every day
  • Engage in mentorship and discipleship with PURSUE leadership as well as ministry point leaders at your practicum placements.

Gain Practical Ministry Skills

  • Understand what it means to align your personal interests with Jesus' desire for your life
  • Discover your spiritual gifts and learn how to intentionally grow into them
  • Gain confidence in your God-given abilities, talents, and leadership
  • Develop essential self-awareness skills, learning from your hands-on ministry experience and becoming more like Jesus every day

THE PURSUE EXPERIENCE

Our Purpose:

If you’re looking to spend a year growing your relationship with God and gaining experience in different ministry contexts, PURSUE might be for you! This program lets you explore your calling in a wide variety of ministry contexts, where you’re challenged to grow in a diverse skill set for Christian life and ministry. This year will help you discern the passions and gifts God has given you, so that you will be prepared for a life of following after Jesus, whether in vocational ministry or not.

Academic Overview:

  • 4 Courses taught on-campus at Vanguard College
  • 4 Formation Courses taught by your PURSUE Director
  • 2 Practicum Courses (1 per semester)

What makes PURSUE unique?

This gap year experience sets a foundation for Christian life and ministry. Lighter than a normal academic load, space is made to not only grow in Biblical and Theological knowledge,  but also offers unique experiences to grow deeper in your relationship with God, and gain valuable ministry experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any questions regarding Pursue, please contact us for more info.  A few questions are answered below:

Who is the ideal student for this program?

The PURSUE experience is designed for students who want to dedicate a year to growing deeper in their relationship with God and understanding of their faith. If you want to grow to better understand God’s purpose for your life, or you feel a calling to ministry but don’t know where to start, this intentional, growth-driven gap year experience may be for you!

Note: Pursue has been designed to offer an end-to-end learning experience. It has been created to be taken with other students as a cohort, on campus and in practical settings. The program is required to be taken in sequence, and it is not intended for a student who has completed other biblical higher education or discipleship school programs. If a student has any previous education or transfer credit, we will suggest that they consider another Vanguard program.

Are any trips part of the PURSUE program?

Yes! On-campus PURSUE students will take part in not only various ministry placements within the city of Edmonton, but also national ministry trips and even an international ministry trip at the end of the year.

 

 

What will transfer into a Vanguard degree?

PURSUE is a Discipleship Program offered on-campus. You will interact with Vanguard professors and participate in two classes with other Vanguard students each semester. You will also take formation classes that are specific to PURSUE. The academic workload is less than that of a one-year academic program, and PURSUE students who desire to continue their studies will receive 18 credits.

 

Can I take PURSUE in my local church?

Vanguard College is beginning to offer PURSUE church hub locations, starting with Port de Grave, NL in Fall 2025. Though inspired by the on-campus PURSUE program, the church hubs offer a program with a different structure that is geared towards diving deep into church ministry. PURSUE programs taken in a local church hub are not accredited, but have a 15-credit transfer agreement with Vanguard College.

Where can I learn more info?

We have a brand new PURSUE website in development, which will be available soon! In the meantime, contact us if you're looking for more info.

Discipleship Certificate

Fall Courses

BT101The Bible As Story

Class Time: 3 hours | Credits: 3.00

Online Course Code DEBT101

This entry level course is designed to demonstrate the importance and relevancy of the whole Bible for today. For many, it is a mystery how the Old Testament is related to the New Testament. Some think the former is a source of unrelated devotional stories, laws and prophecies. In truth, the two testaments are the complete story of God’s progressive plan for his people. It is the purpose of this course to concisely trace the story of Scripture, and to help students build a central foundation with which they can understand, interpret and apply God’s word to their lives today.

BT102Hermeneutics

Class Time: 3 hours | Credits: 3.00

Online Course Code DEBT102

The heart of this course is centred around the importance of the Bible as God’s revelation to mankind, the metanarrative of God at work in history. The course intends to instruct students in how they read and study the scriptures. The student will be acquainted with the purpose and methods of responsible biblical interpretation, both general hermeneutics and special hermeneutics. The intention is to provide tools for interpretation, an emphasis on role of the Holy Spirit their personal reading of the Bible, and an appreciation for the different genres of scripture.

DF104Formation 1: Spiritual Formation

Class Time: 3 hours | Credits: 1.00

Students will gain a solid and practical understanding of what spiritual formation is, recognizing it’s importance to one’s overall wellbeing. Building on this understanding students will explore and engage in the process and practices facilitating spiritual growth and maturity.

DF105Formation 2: Personal Awareness

Class Time: 3 hours | Credits: 1.00

Knowing Jesus involves a journey of knowing ourselves. Students will discover more about their worldview, personality and emotional health, and how these influence the way we think, feel and act in this world. Students will identify their unique spiritual gifts, passions, and abilities, which are integral to discipleship growth.

FE103Practicum: Pursue - Fall

Class Time: 3 hours | Credits: 1.00

Students will put their learning into practice, serving within local church and para-church ministries in Edmonton. This will expose students to the realities of how ministries operate day-to-day, broadening their understanding of what it means to be in ministry, and learning more of what it looks like to follow Jesus every day.

Winter Courses

BT104Gospels

Class Time: 3 hours | Credits: 3.00

Online Course Code DEBT104

This course is an introduction to the Gospels. It will focus on the four canonical gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Issues relating to the synoptic problem will be explored, as well as the unique contribution of each gospel. The literary nature of the gospels will be examined, exploring the gospels as story, as well as their theological impact. As the title implies, this course will emphasize our response to the gospels: what it means to follow Jesus.

BT105Theology 1: God and the Human Condition

Class Time: 3 hours | Credits: 3.00

Online Course Code DEBT105

The purpose of this course is to examine the teaching of the Bible and develop a systematic theology that addresses four important themes: the Word of God, the doctrine of God, biblical anthropology, and the doctrine of sin. Efforts will be made to explain how these themes are developed through promise and fulfilment from Genesis to Revelation.

DF106Formation 3: Life on Mission

Class Time: 3 hours | Credits: 1.00

Disciples of Jesus Christ are ambassadors of God’s message of reconciliation, which is at the heart of the Church’s mission on earth. Students will explore the theological purpose of the Church in three dimensions: ministry to God, ministry to believers, and ministry to the world.

FE104Practicum: Pursue - Winter

Class Time: 3 hours | Credits: 1.00

Students will put their learning into practice, serving within local church and para-church ministries in Edmonton. This will expose students to the realities of how ministries operate day-to-day, broadening their understanding of what it means to be in ministry, and learning more of what it looks like to follow Jesus every day.

PS100Formation 4: Mission Team Dynamics

Class Time: 3 hours | Credits: 1.00

Throughout our lives we both give and follow leadership in varying degrees. Leadership and followership are inseparable and mutually influential. Students will explore foundational concepts and practical skills that help followers and leaders set healthy relationships within their teams and develop interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, and cultural intelligence.