Canby Bible College has helped its last class of students transition to new opportunities, the ministry of Canby Foursquare Church said in its final newsletter this week.
Sadly, the college announced in June that it would be permanently closing after 22 years of ministry due to financial challenges that are pressing on all affecting all institutions of higher education, as well as the fundraising and promotional challenges that have come with the coronavirus pandemic.
“Our first priority in the closing process was to be sure our students were cared for and helped in their transfer to other colleges, if they chose to do that,” CBC Administrator Angie Wiggins said in the email.
Thanks to the generosity of local donors, the school has provided scholarships to students who were full-time and on track to graduate this coming year, which can be directed toward their tuition at a new college.
Scholarships were also extended to international students who had planned on attending CBC to earn their Associate Degree.
The college shared the following about its students and their plans for the future:
AdriAnne Carlson has been accepted to Northwest University, outside of Salem, Oregon. Her goal is to get a bachelor’s degree in political science and she is excited for how N.U. can help her achieve that goal.
Courtney Kelly is prayerfully considering her next college. She “feels led by the Lord to take a season off of college and really press in to him for her passion, calling and next steps.”
Caleb Kemboi has been accepted to Portland Bible College and ultimately plans to obtain a degree in business, which he hopes to use to work in Kenya and share God’s love and power.
Isaac Kipkosgei is praying about the path God wants him to take. “He has both talent and a passion for soccer, so it would be amazing if God was able to use that for his ministry,” Wiggins said.
Kipkosgei also feels called to the area of international relations, which he wants to use to help his home country of Kenya. He is currently pursuing admission to Portland Community College.
Gabe Thompson is on the leadership team with the youth ministry in his church and praying about which college to attend next.
“Beyond caring for the students, we are working hard to finish well, with the governing agencies we are connected to, with the paperwork necessary in all of this, and in the many relationships that have developed,” Wiggins said.
The college asks for prayer for its students and final arrangements, as well as donations for those who are able, which would go toward closing expenses and/or scholarships.
One final CBC experience, a summer prayer retreat at Mount Angel Abbey, is being planned for September. For details, contact Wiggins at awiggins@canbybiblecollege.org.
CBC President and Canby Foursquare Senior Pastor Ron Swor previously said that the decision to close the certified Bible college he had helped found in 1998 came with “gut-wrenching sadness and heartache.”