Kingswood University was founded in October 1945, in Woodstock, New Brunswick by the Alliance of the Reformed Baptist Church of Canada as the Holiness Bible Institute. Its primary purpose was the training of ministers to serve the Reformed Baptist Church within the Atlantic region. In 1947, the school was relocated to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia and renamed Bethany Bible College.[7]
In 1965, Bethany relocated a second time to its present location in Sussex, New Brunswick. In July 1966, the Alliance of the Reformed Baptist Church of Canada joined the Wesleyan Methodist Church. Two years later in June 1968, the Wesleyan Methodist Church merged with the Pilgrim Holiness Church to form what is known today as The Wesleyan Church.[7]
Over the course of time, the university has made significant advances in its academic programs. In May 1970, the General Board of Administration of The Wesleyan Church authorized Bethany Bible College to award the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Religion, the basic four-year program for those entering full-time ministerial service. In 1983, the Province of New Brunswick, through official legislation, authorized Bethany to grant church-related degrees.[7] Accreditation was granted in 1987 by the Association for Biblical Higher Education and reaffirmed in 1997.
In the fall of 2011, the name of Bethany Bible College was formally changed to Kingswood University.[8][7]
On July 1, 2015, Dr. Stephen J. Lennox became Kingswood's 12th president of the university.[9]
On February 3rd, 2025, Kingswood University announced the appointment of Dr. Rick A. Christman as President-Elect[10]. Dr. Christman previously served as Executive Vice President of Columbia International University (CIU) in Columbia, South Carolina, overseeing areas of operation such as Student Life, Campus Security, Online Admissions/Enrolment and Athletics[11]. Dr. Christman will become Kingswood's 13th President on July 1st, 2025.
Location & Campus
Kingswood University Tom Phillippe House.
Kingswood University's campus is located on the west side of Sussex, New Brunswick, about 80km west of Moncton, New Brunswick and about 70km east of Saint John, New Brunswick. The campus is split between an Upper Campus, which is where Stairs Hall, Saunders Irving Chapel, Mitchell Student Centre, Ingersoll House, Joan Philippe House (JP), Tom Philippe House (TP), Edgett Hall, Academic Building, Bridgeo House, Benson Athletic Complex and the Townhouse are located, and a Lower Campus, where the Burbury Administration Building and Nicholson Hall is located.
In 2008, the Saunders Irving Chapel & Wesley Hall was completed and dedicated, serving as a staple of Kingswood's campus.
Kingswood University Stairs Hall after renovations
Academics
Degrees offered
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Associate of Arts in Evangelism & Compassion Ministry (PRAXIS)
Associate of Arts in Biblical Studies
Major and Minor programs of study
Christian Counselling
Business
Evangelism & Social Justice
Marketplace Ministry
NextGen Ministry
Intercultural Studies
Worship Arts
Pastoral Ministry & Church Planting
Kingswood Learn
In January 2024[13], Kingswood University in partnership with CampusEDU launched Kingswood Learn, an online platform that offers free ministry micro-courses. In August 2024, Kingswood Learn celebrated 1,000 users[14] after just seven months of operation. Kingswood Learn continues to launch Christ-oriented courses offering practical, story-based micro-courses on relevant subjects.[15]
Athletics
Kingswood athletic teams are known as the Blazers. All teams use the Blazer logo which is a red flame.
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