A "deacon" in the Bible is one who models Christ-like character in a servant capacity (1 Timothy 3:8-13). The Deacon's Track is an option in our academic programs that is designed to train servants to be Christ-like and have a strong biblical foundation.
This track is for those who are serious about developing a relationship with Jesus Christ, increasing their knowledge of the Bible, having a campus experience, and developing great relationships with other Christian young people.
The Deacon’s Track is a program designed to appeal to students that desire to have a Bible college education without the intense academic workload of the other Freshmen while volunteering in a vocational setting with an industry professional.
The Deacon's Track is:
- Same class content as the academic program
- Quality education with a reduced academic workload without compromising on the minimum academic requirements of every student.
- Learning from the same professors, in the same classrooms, as all other Freshmen
- A vocational experience that will challenge the student to grow in their faith through hard work and discipline as they learn about a trade or profession.
- A program that is designed to appeal to individuals that want to be involved in ministry and Christian leadership mostly behind the scenes in their local Church setting.
- An important part of the community of faith at NBC. The student is expected to be an integral part of every area of student life and ministry here at NBC. This includes being ministered to and ministering to others in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- A program where growth in faith, discipline, and maturity is expected.
- The same chapel and discipleship opportunities and expectations
- The same dorm and recreational activities
- Eligible for Canada government student loans
What the Deacon's Track is not:
- A program that caters or compromises in regards to students that are incapable of meeting the minimum academic requirements expected.
- A program where students can just relax and coast through the NBC life. This program will still challenge students.
- A trade or apprenticeship
- Accredited
- A job placement - this is Bible College with a vocational experience
Other Details
You will spend 8 hours/week on Wednesdays learning practical skills paired with a business with opportunities in:
* Carpentry
* Electrical
* A Tire Shop
* Food Services
* Auto Parts Store
* Cabinet Making
* Plumbing/Heating
(NOTE: NBC cannot guarantee placements in any one area - all are subject to work/placement availability).
How it Works
1. The interested individual will apply to be a student at Nipawin Bible College through the regular application process (click below on “Apply Today”).
2. A video conference call will be required for each Deacon’s Track applicant so that NBC can assess the potential student’s reading, writing, and comprehension abilities. The applicant may refuse consent for the call to be recorded, but will not be able to proceed as an applicant to NBC without the recorded interview.
3. If accepted, the student will be enrolled at Nipawin Bible College in a full course load in the Deacon’s Track.
4. The student will be required to participate in all classes and chapels.
5. The student will be required to do the regular 5 hours/week of student work.
6. The student will do 8 hours per week with a "vocational mentor" on the job assigned to him/her.
7. The student be evaluated monthly in his/her academic, community and work ethic.
8. In order to be allowed/invited back for second semester, the first semester must be successfully completed.
9. When the student completes his/her full year of the program he/she will receive a certificate.
Requirements
- Profession of Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, and evidence of a born-again experience
- Consistency in Christian living and a commitment to spiritual growth
- Graduation from high school and 18 years of age or older
- Passing the minimum reading, writing, and comprehension requirements – These requirements are assessed during your admissions interview through reading an assigned passage of Scripture, and writing a response or two to a question that you are asked during the interview.
- Valid driver's license
- Reliable transportation - Vehicle and fuel are the responsibility of the student in order to get to work placement
- Clear Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sectors Check
- Willingness to abide by student handbook standards and sign the community standards agreement (see the student handbook)
- Work specific gear that may include: steel-toe boots, safety glasses, outdoor work clothing (for the cold) and coveralls with reflective markings. Where necessary, the host business will provide additional job-specific items such as earplugs, uniforms, respirators and trade-specific tools.
- Meet every Monday @2pm with the NBC tutor to ensure that you are on track to fulfill all of your academic requirements.
Course Assignments
The homework load is about 1/2 of the academic track. Each 3-credit course only assigns 13 hours of homework over its duration (ie. a semester). This means that taking a full Deacon's Track course load would require about 5-6 hours of homework a week.
FAQ's
The tuition and room/board costs are the same for all programs in the college. For the Deacon's Track, there may be some additional expenses which need to be kept in mind in regards to traveling to their vocational work experience location.
The student will be a volunteer for the duration of their program and will get credits toward successful completion of the Deacon's Track. He/she needs to pass the first semester’s requirements in order to be invited back for the second semester in the Deacon's Track.
The Deacon's Track is not a certified apprenticeship. Some apprenticeship programs allow previous hours of experience to be counted toward a logbook. The student is encouraged to check with an accredited apprenticeship program for details if there are further questions in this regard.
We will attempt to pair each student with their preference indicated on the application form. Depending on availability and the number of applicants, we would try to give the student their second choice. It is very helpful for each student to be as flexible as possible.
No. It is the intent of the Deacon's Track to pair the student with one vocational opportunity for the year so as to learn that vocation as well as possible. Changing sites frequently means that the student is not very useful for the host tradesman. Remember that he/she is running a business and needs a contribution from the student, not repeatedly starting from square one. This is also the time to remind the potential student that each placement may look different for each student. The student should not expect to be involved in all areas of any particular business either. The business owner might assign the student to lift, carry, sweep, mop, or chop all day. It is up to the business owner to assign jobs.
No. The only opportunity that we currently offer for a student who wants to continue for another year of NBC after one year of Deacon’s Track would be to join the academic program for the same year that they have already taken to upgrade their current assignments.
No. Students wishing to get the academic certificate/diploma must complete all the required courses in the academic track with the academic assignments. However, students may transfer from the Academic Track to the Deacon's Track but will not get the academic certificate/diploma.