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Urshan College, formerly known as Gateway College of Evangelism, is a Christian College in Florissant, Missouri, near St. Louis. It is owned and operated by the United Pentecostal Church International. In 2012, the college was acquired by Urshan Graduate School of Theology. It is currently unaccredited and offers Associate of Arts in General Studies, Bachelor of arts in Christian Ministry, Organizational Leadership, Human Services, Music Ministry, Music, and various certificate programs.
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Beginning
It was evident that there was a need for a Christian College in the St. Louis area. This need encouraged Harry Branding (superintendent of the Missouri District for the UPCI) to form a committee to look into the possibility of a Bible College in the area. Once this committee decided it was a good idea, they presented the idea to the Missouri District Board. On July 13, 1966 the District decided a Bible College would be beneficial and they passed a resolution creating the college. The next year the bylaws were chosen and the college was given the name Gateway College of Evangelism.
On September 13, 1968, Gateway College officially opened at 3155 Charbonier Road in florissant, Missouri. Just three years later, the college was able to purchase the former St. Stanislaus Seminary at 700 Howdershell Road. Even to this day, the school is housed in the oldest college campus west of the Mississippi River.
After four decades, President Darrel Johns led the school through a transition to UPCI ownership. After many months of collaboration the UPCI General Board approved a plan for Urshan Graduate School of Theology to acquire Gateway College and start a new undergraduate Christian college. On July 1, 2012, the transition was complete. Now, Urshan College is operated jointly with Urshan Graduate School of Theology under the governance of the Urshan Board of Directors and President David K. Bernard.
Academics
Urshan College currently offers an associate's degree in Biblical and general studies and bachelor's degrees in Christian ministry, human service, organizational leadership, music ministry, and music. Each of these degrees have concentration options as well. Starting in Fall 2008, the college began offering online classes through the Consortium of Online Christian Colleges in addition to their on-campus instruction.
Urshan is not accredited. However, the administrators of the college are currently attempting to gain accreditation and have hired an advisor to assist with the process.
Location
Urshan is located in the northwestern part of the Saint Louis metropolitan area, near the population center of the United Pentecostal Church International.
In and around Saint Louis there are many United Pentecostal churches of various sizes. World Evangelism Center, the general headquarters of the United Pentecostal Church International, is less than ten minutes from the Urshan College campus, so that guest lecturers and preachers from the church headquarters frequent the College.
Mission
"The mission of Urshan College is to educate, empower, and equip Apostolics for life and servant leadership in the church and the world."
Honor Code
The Honor Code at Urshan College is based on specific character values from Micah 6:8, which states, "He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"