Mount Carmel wants to help students stretch their minds and learn to view life from the perspective of God first. To that end, we teach college-level courses that will help students grow in their understanding of Scripture and essential Christian truths. While we do a lot beyond the classroom, academic instruction remains a focus of what we do.
We aim to have our students grow in their understanding of scripture and essential Christian truths; therefore, we require all students to read through the Bible during their year at Carmel. Being a uniquely concentrated one-year program, we’re not tied up in the complexities of offering multiple degrees or pursuing accreditation. Upon successful completion of our program students simply receive a Diploma in Christian Studies. However the ultimate goal is transformed hearts and lives–never simply head knowledge.
Who we spend our moments with really does matter. Mount Carmel wants to connect students with God and each other. We believe that individuals need community to fully experience the life Christ calls us to. Join this community and enlarge your heart in a transformational, loving environment where people are welcomed as they are and helped to become who they can be.
We aim to become a community where the interactions support, stimulate, and encourage vibrant faith and interconnectedness. Weekly chapels involve students in both planning and leading. Small groups meet every week to discuss the issues each member faces in life, to pray together and to challenge each other toward greater spiritual maturity. Time is also set aside for intentional staff-student conversations, conferences and spiritual retreat days. Other weekly events which encourage community include community lunch, gym time, prayer groups and staff open house meals. Additional off-site community retreats at the beginning of each semester encourage personal spiritual growth as well as cultivate connectedness between staff and students.
Jesus called his twelve disciples to come and be with him. He knew that learning to be a follower is more caught than taught. Students are encouraged to discover and nurture their gifts through active participation in our community.
Learning to love and serve others is a very important part of the overall discipleship process. Students at Mount Carmel spend time every week volunteering with different organizations, and go on two ministry trips during the year.
Staff will work with students to choose two or three different ministry placements that fit a students interests and schedule. Students will serve in those placements for the college year, learning to practice their faith by putting it into action.
As part of our program’s service component, students participate in two ministry trips. The aim of these trips is to expose students to people groups that they may not naturally have contact with and to provide students with opportunities to interact with and hopefully have an impact. We want to help students grow in compassion for the “least of these”. Though subject to change, our most recent trips have been inner city ministry in Vancouver, BC and First Nations ministry in northern Alberta.
Follow the links to find out more about these organizations/ministries:
Throughout the course of the school year, students spend just over a month traveling together. Two ministry trips give students the chance to put their faith into actions, and to serve marginalized communities in Vancouver and in Northern Alberta. Two retreats help students connect and recharge as they learn to live well together, and to love each other deeply. Life on the road together helps students learn to balance the social aspects of community with service to other people, to hold work time and play time in tension, to spend time interacting with people who may approach life quite differently.
Mountains & Rivers Retreat
Mid-September: This orientation retreat could take the form of an adventure-filled out trip in the beautiful Rocky Mountains or a 5-day windswept paddle down the North Saskatchewan River.
Vancouver Inner City Ministry Trip
November: Spend time with the people Jesus hung out with–the sick, the addicted, the prostitutes, the outcasts–and discover your own brokenness.
Relationships Winter Retreat
Early January: Spend a week at a beautiful camp facility in Central Alberta relaxing and connecting with classmates.
Northern Alberta Ministry Trip
March: Across ice-roads and through northern forests, we'll visit various First Nations communities and work in elementary schools.
InterChange Thailand
May: A three week travel experience through both urban and rural Thailand. See more details
camp team
July/August: Discover the joys and challenges of camp ministry. Serve at 7 to 8 different camps around Alberta and discover your gifts.
