Continental Theological Seminary

What Continental Theological Seminary does

Continental Theological Seminary (CTS) is a private, not-for-profit theological seminary located in Sint-Pieters-Leeuw near Brussels, Belgium, founded in 1959 as Emmanuel Bible Institute and renamed CTS in 1991 when it added graduate programs. It serves individuals called to Christian ministry — preparing pastors, missionaries, church planters, Bible teachers, evangelists, and chaplains — through a bilingual (English and French) portfolio of programs, including a Bachelor of Theology, Master of Theology in Evangelical and Pentecostal Studies, Master of Theological Studies, and Graduate Studies in Church Leadership, plus short-term offerings such as a Diploma of Ministry, Associate Degree in Ministry, and Personal Spiritual Enrichment. CTS is a third-party provider of academic programs for Alphacrucis University College (AC), an Australian institution with self-accrediting authority from TEQSA, allowing CTS to award Australian-recognized degrees; its graduate studies have also been accredited by the Belgian Flemish Ministry of Education since 2007.

The core delivery model combines on-campus instruction at the historic Rattendaal castle campus with a hybrid learning option for the MTh program, which is available via videoconference for remote students. A new Pentecostal Learning Center building was completed and became operational in 2025, and a new MTh Online program was launched in 2026 to extend access beyond the physical campus. Revenue is generated primarily through tuition and fees (3,110 EUR/year for Bachelor programs; 2,380 EUR/year for the 2-year MTh or 4,325 EUR for the 1-year MTh), on-campus board and lodging (4,975 EUR/year), donations accepted via bank transfer, PayPal, and the US Assemblies of God giving platform, and ancillary income from short-term Saturday School courses, transcripts, and merchandise. The seminary sells no commercial technology and operates with a lean team of 16 staff supported by a broader faculty and denominational affiliation with Assemblies of God World Missions (AGWM).

Go-to-market is sales-led and relationship-driven: prospective students apply through the website using Google Forms, with international recruitment primarily fueled by an alumni network spanning 60+ countries and a current student body drawn from 30+ nations. Marketing channels include the institutional website, Instagram, direct email inquiry, and community events such as Open Doors and the Generosity Accelerator. The institution is governed by an international Board of Trustees, led by President Joseph Dimitrov (since 2008) and Provost Kevin Beery (since 2019), with no external private equity or venture capital ownership.

Name

Continental Theological Seminary

Legal name

Continental Theological Seminary

Website

https://ctsem.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1959

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Continental Theological Seminary (CTS) is a private, not-for-profit Pentecostal seminary near Brussels, Belgium, offering bachelor's and master's theological degree programs in English and French through a partnership with Alphacrucis University College (Australia), serving international students called to Christian ministry.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Theological Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Seminaries (Graduate Theology & Ministry) (EDAHAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Denominational Theological Colleges (e.g., Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Evangelical) (EDAHAKAM), Christian Colleges with Theological Programs (EDAHAKAG), Bible Colleges (Undergraduate Ministry & Biblical Studies) (EDAHAKAB)

Keywords

• Theological education
• Biblical studies
• Pastoral training
• Christian ministry
• Graduate seminary

Headquarters

HQ city

Sint-Pieters-Leeuw

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Annual tuition fees for bachelor's and master's programs. Bachelor programs charge 3110 EUR/year for full-time students (36-63 ECTS). Master programs charge 2380 EUR/year for 2-year programs or 4325 EUR for 1-year programs. Additional fees for transcripts (5 EUR).
2. Board and Lodging: On-campus housing including room rental, utilities, and meals at 4975 EUR/year for single students.
3. Donations and Charitable Contributions: One-time, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual donation options accepted via bank transfer, PayPal, and US Assemblies of God giving platform. Donations support scholarships, campus development projects, and daily operations.
4. Short-term Programs and Store: Saturday School courses (100 EUR per course), books, CTS merchandise (mugs, tote bags) available for purchase.
5. Cover the Fee Option: 3% optional donation to cover processing fees for donations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Continental Theological Seminary is a private Pentecostal seminary that delivers bachelor's and master's degree programs in theology and biblical studies, diploma/associate programs, and short-term personal enrichment courses, primarily in person on its Belgian campus with hybrid videoconference access for the Master of Theology. Degrees are awarded through a partnership with Alphacrucis University College, an Australian government-accredited institution, allowing students to earn Australian-recognized higher education qualifications while studying in Europe.

Product overview

Continental Theological Seminary offers a portfolio of theological education programs delivered in partnership with Alphacrucis University College (an Australian accredited institution). The core offerings include undergraduate Bachelor of Theology degrees (available in English and French), graduate Master programs (MTh in Evangelical and Pentecostal Studies, MTS, and Graduate Studies in Church Leadership), and short-term options (Diploma of Ministry, Associate Degree, and Personal Spiritual Enrichment). Programs are offered in both English and French, accredited by Australian government standards, and provide practical ministry training alongside theoretical education. The institution also operates a new Pentecostal Learning Center building.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bachelor of Theology Undergraduate degree program delivered in partnership with Alphacrucis University College (an Australian government-accredited institution), providing solid theological education in English and French. Includes 12 core units, biblical languages, and elective courses, preparing students for church ministry and teaching positions.
• Master of Theology in Evangelical and Pentecostal Studies (MTh) Second-cycle accredited graduate program offering core courses and pathways in Biblical Studies or Missiological Studies, combining theological formation with research skills culminating in a master's thesis. Available in person and via videoconference (hybrid). English only.
• Master of Theological Studies (MTS) French-language graduate program designed to increase effectiveness in spiritual leadership through Word of God-based decision making, combining expertise from professors with ministry experience.
• Graduate Studies in Church Leadership French-language second-cycle program combining theological training with biblical leadership development, enabling students to contribute to their church or missionary organization.
• Diploma of Ministry One-year (60 ECTS) diploma program including core courses in faith, biblical foundations, pastoral ministry, and character formation, plus electives from Bachelor classes.
• Associate Degree in Ministry Two-year (120 ECTS) associate degree covering faith, biblical foundations, cross-cultural ministry, church history, leadership, theology, and Christian ethics with elective options.
• Personal Spiritual Enrichment (Auditing) Non-degree program allowing enrollment in individual courses for personal enrichment without academic assessment. Auditing students pay half tuition and may live on campus.
• Saturday School (École du Samedi) Short-term spiritual development program offering weekend courses such as 'Développement spirituel du leader' (5-session course) for Christian leadership growth. Priced at 100 EUR per course.
• On-Campus Board and Lodging On-campus housing including room rental, utilities, and meals for single students at 4,975 EUR per year.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• River Valley NetworkminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 27 August 2026Partnering with AGWM for third year to host Generosity Accelerator one-day event in Brussels. Led by Pastor Rob Ketterling. Church grew from $157,000 to over $12,000,000 above the tithe.
• Alphacrucis University College (AC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCTS offers bachelor's and master's academic programs of the Alphacrucis University College (AC), an Australian institution. These are Australian higher education degree programs recognized and accredited by the Australian government. CTS is a third-party provider of their academic programs, awarding students accredited degrees. Alphacrucis holds self-accrediting authority from TEQSA with unlimited scope.
• Assemblies of God World Missions (AGWM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded under leadership of AGWM leadership (Victor G. Greisen, Field Secretary for Europe). Continues organizational affiliation with Assemblies of God for missions and ministry training. US Giving operated through AGWM with Ministry ID 600001-905021.
• Argenta BankminorOthersEuropean banking partner for donations within Europe. Account details provided for bank transfers: Joseph Depauwstraat 45, 1600 Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, Belgium. Account No: 979-0826207-63, BIC: ARSPBE22, IBAN: BE40 9790 8262 0763.
• Dimitrov Research CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research center associated with CTS, referenced in faculty publications including book 'Thinking with the Spirit: Explorations in Pentecostal Studies' edited by Dr. David Trementozzi.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Evangelische Theologische Faculteit (ETF) Leuven: Belgian evangelical theological institution in Leuven where CTS President Joseph Dimitrov earned his PhD. Operates in the same European geography and offers comparable accredited theological programs in a broader evangelical context.
• North Central University: Assemblies of God-affiliated university in Minneapolis offering undergraduate and graduate theological programs. Sources CTS alumni and competes for similar ministry-bound students.
• Regent University School of Divinity: Large American graduate theological school offering M.Div., Th.M., and Ph.D. programs. Sources CTS faculty and serves a comparable graduate theological student base.
• Southeastern University: Assemblies of God-affiliated Christian university offering undergraduate and graduate theology programs. Comparable AG-affiliated institution serving a similar Pentecostal student segment.

Direct peers

• Assemblies of God Theological Seminary: Flagship theological seminary of the Assemblies of God in the US, offering master's and doctoral degrees in the same Pentecostal tradition. Shares AGWM denominational affiliation and serves a directly comparable student segment.
• Mattersey Hall: Assemblies of God theological college in the UK offering ministerial training and theological degrees. Closest European Pentecostal peer to CTS in mission and program structure.
• Alphacrucis University College: Australian Pentecostal university and CTS's accreditation partner, awarding CTS degrees under TEQSA self-accrediting authority. Operates similar undergraduate and graduate theology programs in a Pentecostal/charismatic tradition.
• Global University: Assemblies of God-affiliated distance-learning theological institution offering undergraduate and graduate programs worldwide. Competes for the same international Pentecostal ministry students through a fully online model.

Emerging players

• William Seymour Bible College: Pentecostal theological institution offering Pentecostal studies programs. Smaller and emerging player in the same Pentecostal academic space as CTS.
• Vanguard College (Edmonton): Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada-affiliated college offering ministry and theological education. Operates in the same Pentecostal theological education niche with comparable small-institution model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/ctsem
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/continental-theological-seminary

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 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 Continental Theological Seminary