The Alliance Institute for Mission is the official training arm of the Christian and Missionary Alliance of Australia, an evangelical church that has been in Australia since the sixties. Founded in 1971, the primary purpose of the Institute has been to serve the local church by training men and women for Christian ministry. Since 2007 we have partnered with the Australian College of Ministries in order to offer quality accredited training.

1971-2006

In 1970, the Board of Managers of the C&MA in Australia approved the formation of a Board of Directors who would head up an Alliance College. They established a TEE Programme which was named The Alliance College of Theology. Canberra was chosen as the site where the College would have its premises. By the beginning of 1971, Dr John Harvey had been appointed the first Director of the College. Fifteen students were enrolled – three in Canberra, seven in Melbourne and five in Sydney.

Land was purchased at 81 Namatjira Drive, Waramanga in Canberra and the Alliance College of Theology was opened on November 20, 1977. By then, there were now full-time and part-time students attending the College as well as the continuing TEE Programme.

The College introduced a self-accredited 4 year Bachelor of Theology programme and for over 20 years effectively trained men and women for Christian ministry both within Australia and overseas. In the late 1990s, the then Director, Rev Russell Warnken, negotiated with the Sydney College of Divinity to establish an accredited 3 year Bachelor of Theology Programme at the College. This was a very successful partnership and raised both the profile and academic standard of the College.
 

2007-TODAY

In late 2006 the College went through a review of its ministry, its effectiveness, the needs of the churches, and how best to move into the future. Given the size of the C&MA in Australia and our ethnic and cultural diversity, there were many issues to consider in order to most effectively prepare men and women for service in the kingdom of God.

As a result of this review, a new model for ministry training was established in February 2007. Under the leadership of Rev Ming Leung and his Deputy Director Diana Williams, the College Programme sought to connect ministry training and the local church together. Partnering with the Australian College of Ministries, the College was able to offer courses through the local church enabling students to study where they were and within their own ministry situations.

In 2011, the College celebrated its 40th year and we give thanks to God for all that He has done during this time. Many men and women have been effectively trained for service by the College and are now working to further God’s Kingdom in many and varied ways.

In 2016 the C&MA of Australia became a formal member of the Australian College of Ministries and established the Alliance Institute for Mission. Today, students wishing to study a ministry award are enrolled with ACOM and are supported by the Institute.