Trinity Evangelical Divinity School to Merge with Trinity Western University in Canada

Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS) is transitioning from its affiliation with Trinity International University in Illinois to align with Trinity Western University (TWU) in British Columbia, Canada. This move marks a significant shift in the institution’s academic and ecclesiastical alignment, as TEDS will become TWU’s seminary. The decision was announced with a focus on shared theological commitments and a common mission to train individuals in Christian ministry and theological education.

TEDS will remain at its current location in Bannockburn, Illinois, for the 2025-2026 academic year. The relocation to Langley, British Columbia, is set for the fall 2026 semester. Students currently enrolled at TEDS will have the option to complete their programs through in-person or online formats during the transition period.

Founded in 1897 to train ministers for the Evangelical Free Church of America, TEDS relocated to Deerfield, Illinois, in 1963. The school positions itself as a hub of evangelical thought, drawing faculty and students from various evangelical theological traditions. Its mission emphasizes the transformative power of the inerrant Word and the critique of ideologies that challenge the church’s life.

Trinity Western University, established in 1962 as Trinity Junior College, is Canada’s largest privately funded Christian university. With nearly 6,000 students, TWU shares a theological alignment with the Evangelical Free Church of America. Discussions between TEDS and TWU began in the 1980s with the vision of “TEDS Canada,” though those plans did not come to fruition.

The Evangelical Free Church of Canada’s Executive Director, Bill Taylor, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, highlighting the potential for expanded access to theological education and ministry training. This partnership aims to equip churches and ministers for “kingdom ministry,” reflecting a shared commitment to Christian education and service.

Trinity Western University has a history of legal challenges related to its “Community Covenant,” which required students to adhere to specific moral standards, including prohibitions on sexual activity outside of marriage. These policies led to prolonged litigation, which concluded in 2018 with a ruling that allowed TWU to continue its practices under certain conditions. The recent merger with TEDS reflects a strategic alignment that may influence the broader landscape of Christian higher education.

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