Trinity Evangelical Divinity School Embarks on New Journey to Canada

Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS), a key institution in American evangelicalism, will be acquired by Trinity Western University in British Columbia, marking a significant relocation and restructuring after years of financial difficulties. The announcement, made on April 8, reveals that TEDS will continue operations at its Illinois campus until 2026, after which it will move to Canada, parting ways with its parent organization, Trinity International University. Despite the move, U.S. students will retain federal financial aid eligibility. The acquisition comes amidst declining enrolment and significant debt at TEDS, including a $17.3 million deficit reported in 2023 and a looming $19 million loan due in 2026. The merger will not see Trinity Western University assuming any of TEDS's financial obligations. This move is seen as a strategic realignment to growth and mission fulfillment within a larger, aligned academic entity. Historical and theological figures associated with TEDS have shaped evangelical thought and the new partnership aims to sustain this legacy, though concerns persist about the broader decline in theological education in the Midwest.