Pan Africa Christian University
Encyclopedia
Pan Africa Christian University is a Christian
university in Nairobi
, Kenya
. The institution is a fully accredited and chartered private university, approved by the Kenyan Commission for Higher Education, and authorized by the Government of Kenya to award undergraduate and graduate degrees.
PAC was founded by its prime sponsor, the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada
(PAOC), and began its operations in 1978 as a Bible College. As a mission-minded organization, the PAOC began sending missionaries to numerous African countries in the 1920s. As a result of their efforts, a strong National church has emerged in Kenya and surrounding countries. Continentally, these churches are generally known as the Pentecostal Assemblies of God (PAG). Through the efforts of indigenous pastor
s, missionaries, and evangelists, some PAG fellowships have grown to over 3000 churches.
Nairobi, with its central location and accessibility, was a choice place for PAC to be situated. A venue on the north-east outskirts of the city became available in 1978 to the PAOC, who secured the property for the establishment of a degree-granting institution.
PAC opened for classes on May 2, 1978, with 6 students and has grown to over 300 students. PAC faculty is composed of African nationals as well as non-African instructors seconded by PAOC. In addition to its full-time lecturing faculty, the University has a number of part-time faculty who lecture in their fields of expertise. Full-time faculty usually have both pastoral experience and post-graduate degrees.
In 1985, the Commission for Higher Education (CHE) was established to advance university education in Kenya, with particular reference to the coordination of long-term planning, staff development, scholarship and the physical development of universities in Kenya. On this basis, CHE registered PAC as an existing university in 1989. Since that time, PAC has been working with the CHE towards government accreditation with the Ministry of Education. The PAC curriculum for the degrees offered was officially approved by the CHE as of 2006.
Pan Africa Christian University was officially awarded a charter on February 15, 2008 by Mwai Kibaki
, the President of the Kenya. PAC became the ninth private University to be chartered in Kenya.
centered on the philosophy of servant leadership with four areas of concentration.
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
university in Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
, Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
. The institution is a fully accredited and chartered private university, approved by the Kenyan Commission for Higher Education, and authorized by the Government of Kenya to award undergraduate and graduate degrees.
History
Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada
The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada is a Pentecostal Christian denomination and the largest evangelical church in Canada. It reports 234,385 adherents and 1,077 member congregations throughout Canada...
(PAOC), and began its operations in 1978 as a Bible College. As a mission-minded organization, the PAOC began sending missionaries to numerous African countries in the 1920s. As a result of their efforts, a strong National church has emerged in Kenya and surrounding countries. Continentally, these churches are generally known as the Pentecostal Assemblies of God (PAG). Through the efforts of indigenous pastor
Pastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
s, missionaries, and evangelists, some PAG fellowships have grown to over 3000 churches.
Nairobi, with its central location and accessibility, was a choice place for PAC to be situated. A venue on the north-east outskirts of the city became available in 1978 to the PAOC, who secured the property for the establishment of a degree-granting institution.
PAC opened for classes on May 2, 1978, with 6 students and has grown to over 300 students. PAC faculty is composed of African nationals as well as non-African instructors seconded by PAOC. In addition to its full-time lecturing faculty, the University has a number of part-time faculty who lecture in their fields of expertise. Full-time faculty usually have both pastoral experience and post-graduate degrees.
In 1985, the Commission for Higher Education (CHE) was established to advance university education in Kenya, with particular reference to the coordination of long-term planning, staff development, scholarship and the physical development of universities in Kenya. On this basis, CHE registered PAC as an existing university in 1989. Since that time, PAC has been working with the CHE towards government accreditation with the Ministry of Education. The PAC curriculum for the degrees offered was officially approved by the CHE as of 2006.
Pan Africa Christian University was officially awarded a charter on February 15, 2008 by Mwai Kibaki
Mwai Kibaki
Mwai Kibaki is the current and third President of the republic of Kenya.Kibaki was previously Vice President of Kenya for ten years from 1978–1988 and also held cabinet ministerial positions, including a widely acclaimed stint as Minister for Finance , Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for...
, the President of the Kenya. PAC became the ninth private University to be chartered in Kenya.
Profile
Being an international university, PAC trains students from a dozen countries within and out of Africa. Many PAC alumni are involved in Bible College teaching, pastoral ministry, denominational leadership, missionary work, and para-church ministry. Each year, a number of PAC University alumni pursue post-graduate studies in universities and seminaries all over the world.Mission
To develop Godly Christian leaders, growing disciples of Jesus Christ who are thoroughly equipped to serve God, the church and their communities as they strengthen and actively multiply believers in Africa and around the world.Vision
To be the leading Christian university of choice in Africa, characterized by high quality and professional education in a community of learning and service, which is instrumental in the transformation of society.Core Values
- Pursuit of truth and moral integrity
- Stressing the importance of people
- Mutual respect and collaboration for PAC’s diverse community
- Priority and focus on biblical and spiritual formation
- Relevance of training in content, structure and process
- Excellence in work, spiritual walk and service among students, faculty and staff
- Instilling servant leadership values among students, faculty and staff
Academics
PAC University seeks to expand its influence by continuously developing academic programmes that address vital needs in all spheres of society and inspiring transformation through Christ centered godly leadership. PAC offers the following programmes:Bachelor of Business Leadership
Bachelor of business leadership focuses on developing in the student a Christian perspective towards corporate business leadership. The programme combines Leadership StudiesLeadership studies
Leadership studies is a multidisciplinary academic field of study that focuses on leadership in organizational contexts and in human life. Leadership studies has origins in the social sciences , in humanities , as well as in professional and applied fields of study...
centered on the philosophy of servant leadership with four areas of concentration.
- Accounting and Finance
- Marketing
- Human Resource Management
- Business Entrepreneurship
Bachelor of Arts in Bible and Theology
The Bachelor of Arts in Bible and Theology provides the student with theoretical and applied training for a church–related vocation. This programme serves students with a call to ministry as pastors, missionaries and teachers.Bachelor of Arts in Counseling
The Bachelor of Arts in Counseling is intended for students who desire to serve the church and community by providing counseling services to individuals, couples and family relations and counseling ministries, as well as small group facilitation and mediation.Master of Arts in Leadership
This is PAC's fastest growing programme, with three specialty areas:- Business and Entrepreneurship
- Education
- Christian Ministries
Youth Discipleship Programme
For young people who have completed their high school studies and are waiting for post secondary education in universities and colleges.Enrolment by programme in 2007
| Pre University Programme | 10 |
| Youth Discipleship Programme | 23 |
| BA in Bible and Theology | 97 |
| BA in Bible and Translation Studies | 17 |
| BA in Bible and Counselling | 68 |
| Master of Arts in Leadership | 52 |
| Total | 257 |
Intakes
Intakes for the programs are as follows:- Master of Arts in leadership intakes are in November and May.
- Undergraduate Programmes are in September, January and May.
- Youth Discipleship Programme is in January.
- Pre University Programme in May
External links
- PAC Official Web Site Note: Any text copied from the PAC website is used by permission from the institution.