February 22, 2023
The Association of Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) and its Commission on Accreditation have recently given Wesley Biblical Seminary initial accreditation for five years.
WBS has been accredited by the Association of Theological Schools, the premier accrediting body for seminaries in the US and Canada, for decades. However, with the recent launch of its new Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry, WBS decided to pursue accreditation with ABHE.
“We are thrilled to have this recognition for our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs at WBS,” said Dr. Matt Ayars. “This accreditation will enable us to serve more students as they become trusted leaders for faithful churches at WBS.”
Last year, WBS was granted applicant status by ABHE. Normally institutions spend a year as applicants and then a second year with candidate status with ABHE. After a site visit from a group of peer reviewers in September, WBS received high marks from the reviewers.
On February 16, 2023, WBS was allowed to bypass candidate status and was awarded five years of initial accreditation by the COA. Administrators from ABHE said this move was a monumental achievement for any institution.
“As our culture moves away from God, as churches crave biblically educated leaders, as people need a clear connection to Jesus by the power of the Spirit, we are thrilled to be officially associated with ABHE,” Ayars said. “Our accreditation with ABHE allows us to continue to serve our students as a trusted and accountable institution.”
ABHE is distinguished as an accrediting body by its unapologetic drive to serve Christ and the Church through the fulfillment of the Greta Commission. ABHE’s purpose statement says that “Member institutions engage students in transformational, experiential, and missional education that is grounded in the truth of God’s word. The end goal of biblical higher education is to go and make disciples.”
The United States government, through the Department of Education, recognizes agencies like ABHE to serve as gatekeepers of administering financial aid. The ABHE COA ensures that institutions meet standards agreed upon by other members of the association related to assessment, board governance, financial stewardship, student services, property, and other administrative functions. ABHE has 157 member institutions across the world.