CHRIST OUR REDEEMER MISSION

What CHRIST OUR REDEEMER MISSION does

Christ Our Redeemer Seminary (CORS) is a 501(c)(3) theological seminary headquartered in Auburn, Alabama (with a secondary presence in Opelika), that delivers graduate-level missional theological education rooted in and accountable to local churches. It serves aspiring vocational, bi-vocational, and cross-cultural ministry leaders — primarily pastors, church planters, and missionaries — through three primary programs: a 98-credit Master of Divinity (MDiv), a 67-credit MA in Missional Theology (MAMT), and a Certificate in Missional Theology. All programs are delivered in person through a 3-year cohort model capped at 8-14 students per cohort, with classes held at partner church venues including Good Shepherd Anglican and First Presbyterian Church Opelika rather than at a centralized campus. The seminary supplements its degree programs with a Missionary Residency Program, a 9-competency practicum framework (ministering to those in need, evangelism, discipleship, relational dynamics, teaching, preaching, shepherding, leading, cross-cultural ministry), a structured mentoring program overseen by a Dean of Mentoring, summer intensive courses, and study abroad tours to Israel, Greece, Turkey, Thailand, Nepal, and North Africa. Its first MDiv cohort graduated in 2024, and the seminary achieved candidate status with the Association of Reformed Theological Seminaries (ARTS, recognized by CHEA) in September 2025.

The underlying technology stack is modest and largely third-party: PopuliWeb serves as the student information system, application portal, and donation platform; a Digital Theological Library is provided to students via Primo/Ex Libris; and content distribution runs through the seminary blog, a multi-season podcast ("Our Missional Context"), and an active Instagram account. The faculty is composed of practicing local pastors, church planters, ministry leaders, and missionaries — rather than full-time resident academics — supported by a core team of approximately five full-time staff (President/Dean of Academics, Graduate Professor/Assistant Academic Dean, Dean of Practicum/Program Director, Bursar/Marketing Director, and Executive Assistant).

The revenue model combines tuition, fees, and donations. Tuition is set at $200 per credit hour baseline, discounted to $180 per credit for members of partner churches and $150 per credit for residency students at partner ministries, yielding total MDiv degree costs of approximately $22,530 baseline, $20,570 with partner-church pricing, and $17,630 with residency pricing — roughly 36% of typical MDiv program costs. Additional revenue comes from a $100 one-time application fee, semester fees averaging $488, and a $350 graduation fee. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, CORS also relies on charitable donations (ACH, credit card, check, and Venmo) to subsidize missionary residency housing and to fund scholarships such as the Dr. Peter & Sally Doyle Memorial Scholarship; students raise their own support through the 4:15 Program modeled on Philippians 4:15 to offset tuition without taking on debt. The seminary does not participate in federal or state student aid and earns no paid-advertising-driven demand; outreach runs entirely through content, events, and church relationships.

Name

CHRIST OUR REDEEMER MISSION

Legal name

Christ Our Redeemer Seminary

Website

https://christourredeemer.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Christ Our Redeemer Seminary is a 501(c)(3) theological seminary in Auburn, Alabama, offering MDiv, MA in Missional Theology, and certificate programs through 3-year in-person cohorts of 8-14 students, rooted in local church partnerships and a Missionary Residency Program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Theological Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Religious Organizations (8131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAHAKAA

Seminaries (Graduate Theology & Ministry)

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Religious & Theological Colleges

SECONDARYBPAGAJAD

Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis)

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Religious & Faith-Based Organizations

SECONDARYEDAHAKAE

Ministerial Training Institutes (Clergy Formation)

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Religious & Theological Colleges

Keywords

• Theological education
• Seminary programs
• Missional training
• Ministerial preparation
• Cross-cultural missionary residency

Headquarters

HQ city

Auburn

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition Revenue: CORS generates revenue primarily through tuition payments for its MDiv (98 credit hours, $200/credit) and MA in Missional Theology (67 credit hours, $200/credit) programs. Students at partner churches receive discounted rates ($180/credit) and residency students at partner churches/ministries receive the deepest discount ($150/credit). Average MDiv total degree cost is approximately $22,530 at baseline rates.
2. 4:15 Program Fundraising: Students raise financial support through a structured fundraising program modeled on Paul's partnership with the Philippian church (Phil 4:15). Donors contribute tax-deductible gifts that support the student's theological education, reducing or eliminating the need for student loans.
3. Donations and Charitable Giving: CORS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that accepts charitable donations via ACH, credit card, check, and Venmo (@ChristOurRedeemerSeminary). Donor partnerships subsidize missionary residency housing. The seminary also holds an annual banquet (non-fundraising) and awards the Dr. Peter & Sally Doyle Memorial Scholarship funded by donor contributions.
4. Application Fees: A one-time application fee of $100 is charged for MDiv and MA applications. A discount code (MDIVEARLY) offers $50 off until January 15.
5. Student Fees: Fees include student fees for LMS and Digital Library averaging $488 per semester, and a $350 graduation fee.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Christ Our Redeemer Seminary delivers accredited graduate-level theological education through three-year, cohort-based degree programs (MDiv, MA in Missional Theology, Certificate in Missional Theology) held at local partner church venues in Auburn/Opelika, Alabama. Programs integrate classroom coursework with structured mentoring, a 9-competency practicum, and an optional full-time Missionary Residency with subsidized cross-cultural ministry apprenticeship and study-abroad tours.

Product overview

Christ Our Redeemer Seminary operates as a theological education institution offering a unified portfolio of graduate-level programs and supplementary training modules centered on missional theology. The core offerings consist of three degree/program tracks: the MDiv (Master of Divinity, 98 credits), the MA in Missional Theology (67 credits), and the Certificate in Missional Theology — all delivered through an in-person, cohort-based model over three years. These degree programs are supplemented by integrated add-on modules including the Missionary Residency Program (a full-time cross-cultural apprenticeship), the Practicum (covering nine ministry competencies), the Mentoring Program (spiritual formation guidance), Summer Intensive Courses, and Study Abroad tours to Israel, Greece, Turkey, Thailand, Nepal, and North Africa. The seminary also hosts Quarterly Seminars and maintains a Resources platform featuring a Digital Theological Library and a Job Board. The full portfolio is rooted in the local church, accredited through ARTS (Association of Reformed Theological Seminaries), and designed to be affordable at $200 per credit hour baseline tuition.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MDiv (Master of Divinity) A 98-credit-hour, 3-year cohort-based graduate theological degree integrating biblical studies, theology, missiology, and cross-cultural ministry training, designed for individuals called into vocational ministry leadership and delivered at partner church venues in Auburn/Opelika.
• MA in Missional Theology (MAMT) A 67-credit-hour graduate degree focused specifically on missional theology and practice, designed for ministry leaders seeking focused formation within the same 3-year cohort structure as the MDiv.
• Certificate in Missional Theology A shorter-form certificate program offering foundational theological education structured around the Drama of Scripture and Symphony of Mission course sequences, for individuals seeking Christlike character and ministry capability without full degree enrollment.
• Missionary Residency Program A three-year, full-time missionary training program weaving together seminary coursework, cohort community life with international students in subsidized housing, and cross-cultural ministry apprenticeship, paired with study-abroad tours to biblical and field-mission contexts.
• Missional Apprenticeship A residency track that allows students to apprentice under experienced ministry leaders while concurrently enrolled in seminary studies, providing hands-on cross-cultural ministry experience as a complement to academic coursework.
• Summer Course Work Intensive summer courses such as Evangelism combining in-person instruction with required reading and ministry practice, allowing non-enrolled students to audit courses or earn graduate seminary credit on a short, intensive schedule.
• Study Abroad International study tours during quarter breaks to locations including Israel, Greece, Turkey, Thailand, Nepal, and North Africa, providing exposure to biblical contexts and cross-cultural ministry settings for enrolled students and missionaries.
• Quarterly Seminars and Public Events Public seminars, workshops, Lunch & Learn events, and an annual banquet designed to inspire and equip the Auburn/Opelika community for missional living, often featuring external guest speakers and fostering partnerships with local churches.

Quantifiable outcome

• MDiv degree at 36% of typical cost — total degree cost ~$22,530 at baseline rates vs. significantly higher at comparable institutions
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Good Shepherd AnglicancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGood Shepherd Anglican hosts MDiv and MA in-person cohort classes for Christ Our Redeemer Seminary, serving as a primary classroom venue for the seminary's graduate theological education programs.
• First Presbyterian Church OpelikacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst Presbyterian Church Opelika hosts CORS cohort classes, graduation practice, and the annual graduation ceremony. It is also the church affiliation of several teaching faculty members (Andrew Keasling, Jonathan Prudhomme).
• Four Corners MinistriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFour Corners Ministries partners with CORS to offer the Missionary Residency apprenticeship track, designed to help individuals discern a missionary calling while receiving both theological and practical training. CORS partners with several local churches and ministries to make these apprenticeships available.
• Auburn Grace Chinese Christian ChurchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for quarterly seminars (e.g., Global Missions: Implications for Us from Lausanne on November 14) and location for some Certificate program classes. Also home to Dr. Joseph Fan, a board member and founding graduate of CORS.
• Young Meadows Presbyterian ChurchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for the Montgomery Lunch & Learn event on December 5, serving as a regional outreach location for CORS recruitment and community engagement beyond Auburn/Opelika.
• Cornerstone ChurchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue for the annual CORS Banquet, a celebration of the seminary's ministry and impact rather than a fundraising event.
• Partner Churches (local churches in Auburn/Opelika community)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCORS describes itself as 'a partnership of local churches.' Multiple unnamed partner churches contribute to the seminary's operations by hosting classes, providing mentorship and practicum supervision, offering ministry apprenticeships, and providing financial support through the 4:15 Program. The seminary's mission is to equip leaders by partnering with churches rather than replacing them.
• Tibetan Evangelical Alliance (Nepal)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCORS partners with the Tibetan Evangelical Alliance to plant churches among Tibetan peoples. Short-term trip opportunities are available for CORS missionary residents to support leadership training or business as mission initiatives in Nepal.
• Lausanne MovementminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCORS President Hoffman Rhyne attended the Fourth Lausanne Congress (Seoul, South Korea) as one of approximately 5,000 global participants from over 220 countries. CORS hosts quarterly seminars sharing Lausanne insights with the Auburn/Opelika community, connecting local churches to the global missionary movement.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary: A small, confessional Presbyterian seminary in Taylors, SC. Closely comparable in size, doctrinal stance, and Reformed theological focus, and a natural direct peer for CORS in the small-seminary segment.
• Missio Seminary: A graduate seminary in Philadelphia explicitly focused on missional theology and practice. Most directly comparable to CORS's missional-theology emphasis and MA in Missional Theology curriculum.
• Wesley Biblical Seminary: A small Wesleyan/Methodist seminary offering graduate theological degrees with an online and cohort-based model. Comparable to CORS in size and commitment to online/accessible delivery, though differing on doctrinal tradition.
• Reformed Theological Seminary: The largest multi-campus Reformed seminary in the US, offering MDiv and MA degrees with a confessional Reformed curriculum. Most directly comparable to CORS on doctrinal orientation and program structure, though significantly larger and fully accredited.
• Covenant Theological Seminary: PCA-affiliated seminary in St. Louis offering MDiv and MA programs with a Reformed emphasis. Comparable to CORS in confessional identity and degree offerings, with a more established residential and online footprint.
• Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary: PC(USA)-affiliated seminary offering MDiv and MA programs with Reformed roots. Comparable in confessional heritage and degree structure, though larger and with broader denominational reach.
• Columbia Theological Seminary: A PC(USA) seminary in Decatur, GA, offering MDiv and MA programs with a Reformed emphasis. Comparable on theological tradition and program offerings, with deeper denominational infrastructure than CORS.
• Western Reformed Seminary: A small confessional Reformed seminary offering graduate theological degrees with a focus on church planting. Comparable to CORS in scale, Reformed identity, and missional/church-planting emphasis.

Broad incumbents

• Asbury Theological Seminary: A multi-denominational evangelical seminary offering MDiv, MA, and doctoral programs with Wesleyan roots and significant online enrollment. Comparable to CORS in offering accessible graduate theological education but operating at substantially larger scale across multiple campuses.
• The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary: The largest Southern Baptist seminary in the US, offering MDiv and MA programs with broad evangelical and missional content. A broad incumbent in the same overall space as CORS but at much greater scale, with multiple degree tracks and a global footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/christourredeemerseminary
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/christ-our-redeemer-mission

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CHRIST OUR REDEEMER MISSION