Trinity Evangelical Divinity School Relocates to Canada Amid Declining Enrollment
Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS), a prominent seminary rooted in Illinois, is set to make a significant move to Canada after years of dwindling student numbers and financial challenges. This decision has left alumni feeling a mix of sadness and resignation, recognizing the financial pressures that necessitated such a change.
With deep roots in the suburban northern region of Chicago, TEDS recently committed to becoming the seminary arm of Trinity Western University (TWU) in British Columbia, aligning with one of Canada’s largest Christian universities. The divinity school plans to begin holding classes in Canada by fall 2026, allowing current American students to complete their studies online.
Eric Targe, pastor at Park Community Church in Chicago and a 2016 TEDS graduate, expressed a sense of loss at the seminary’s departure from the area. “While the explanation for the move sounds reasonable and gives me hope for the school’s future in partnership with Trinity Western, I can’t help but feel deeply saddened that Chicagoland is losing one of its strongest partners in equipping Gospel ministers,” he shared.
TEDS has faced ongoing talks of relocation due to the high costs associated with its Deerfield location, as noted by Ryan Mullins, a 2010 graduate and philosophy of religion professor. Mullins recalled hearing discussions about moving the campus when he was a student, emphasizing the expensive real estate and prominent neighbors such as Michael Jordan.
In recent years, rumors have circulated about TEDS transitioning to a fully online model, purportedly under a project named “Trinity Global.” Mullins, who discussed the seminary’s financial woes on a podcast, remarked, “It was clear in 2022 that Trinity was a sinking ship.”
The decision to move also places TEDS in a new social and political landscape. TWU has previously faced legal challenges over its “Community Covenant” policy, which was viewed as exclusionary, leading to changes in student requirements after a Canadian Supreme Court ruling. TEDS’s own student conduct code continues to prohibit behaviors such as pre-marital sex and homosexual activity, but it remains unclear if these standards will change post-relocation.
Historically, TEDS was established in 1897 and moved to Deerfield in 1963, playing a pivotal role in the formation of evangelical clergy. Notable alumni like John Fea, a 1992 graduate and history professor, have reflected on its past influence and the challenging decline observed in recent decades.
Financial strains have been a recurring theme. Former student Jon Weatherly, who graduated in 1984, highlighted the longstanding economic pressures on residential seminaries, noting the growing shift towards innovative, non-residential educational models.
Enrollment at TEDS has steadily declined over two decades, dropping from a headcount of 1,197 in the 2003-2004 academic year to 813 in 2024-2025, according to the Association of Theological Schools. The broader trend of declining interest in theological education and vocational ministry has been observed across many institutions.
As TEDS prepares to close its Deerfield campus by 2026, the move to Canada is seen by some as indicative of a larger trend affecting seminaries across the United States. The rise of online education and changing demographics are reshaping the future of theological education, as observed by educators like Targe and Weatherly.
The move to TWU is marked not only by practical considerations but also by broader societal changes and challenges facing religious education institutions today.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
