International Christian College facts for kids

The Bible Training Institute was a special college that started way back in 1892. Its main goal was to teach people about the Bible and share its message with working-class families in Scotland. Sadly, it closed its doors in 2018 because it ran out of money.

History

How It Began

The idea for the Bible Training Institute came from two American visitors, Dwight Lyman Moody and Ira D. Sankey. They visited Glasgow, Scotland, many times between 1874 and 1891. Their visits inspired several Christian groups in the city. These groups, including the Institute, aimed to help working-class people. Many working-class people felt more comfortable in these new missions than in traditional churches.

The Bible Training Institute first opened in 1892. It was located on Bothwell Street in Glasgow.

Moving and Changing Names

In 1898, the Institute moved to the Christian Institute building. This building also housed the YMCA. Later, in 1980, it moved again to a former Church of Scotland building. This new place was in a popular part of Glasgow.

In 1990, the college changed its name to Glasgow Bible College. The new building offered much more space. But soon, the college needed even more room. So, it moved to a larger property on St James Road. This building used to be a college for nurses.

In 1998, the college changed its name again. It became the International Christian College. This happened when Glasgow Bible College joined with another college.

Why the College Faced Challenges

In 2013, the college announced it would sell its building. It planned to move to a new spot. However, in 2014, they shared some bad news. The number of new students had dropped a lot. The college tried to save money but couldn't fix the problem.

One big reason for this was how student funding worked in Scotland. Universities offered free tuition, but the college couldn't offer the same. Other colleges in the UK and Ireland could offer full student loans. This made it hard for the college to attract enough students.

A New Start, Then Closure

In 2015, the college tried a fresh start. It was relaunched as the Scottish School of Christian Mission. It partnered with Nazarene Theological College. This partnership allowed students to get degrees with full funding. The college also moved to Parkhead in Glasgow. This move showed its focus on helping city communities.

What Happened Next

In June 2018, the college's leaders announced its closure. The college officially closed on June 30, 2018. Nazarene Theological College took over responsibility for the students. They also hired some of the staff. The college's library, called the Grogan Library, was given to Nazarene Theological College's Glasgow campus. Even though the college building closed, its history and the impact it had on students continue.