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Ready to begin?

New students may jump into our 2-year course cycle at any point.  For all new students the application process is described below.  Please note the specific requirements for your desired program track.

Application Process

All individuals who desire to enroll in ACTS must meet the following criteria:

• Be at least 21 years of age.
• Be a high school graduate or equivalent.
• Be a participating member of an American Baptist church within the participating Associations of the American Baptist Churches of Pennsylvania and Delaware. Members of other ABC regions or Christian denominations may participate. However, non-American Baptist applicants should check with their church leadership about how to fulfill the polity and history and other requirements of their particular denomination.

​​Certificate, Diploma & CLM students must also:

1. ​Complete the New Student Application in full (link found below).
2. Submit two, one-page double-spaced essays to [email protected].  Choose two of the topics below to write on:
   1. Explain why you are interested in ACTS and your goals after graduation. 
   2. Elaborate on any issues you disagree with related to the ACTS Statement of Faith. 
   3. Identify two issues in society today which are contrary to Christian teaching and what you feel may reverse this trend. 
   4. What do you hope to receive from the ACTS in terms of educational and personal growth?

​​In addition to 1 & 2 above, Diploma-level students must also:

1. Submit a letter of recommendation from their pastor, explaining why he or she believes the student is ready for and will benefit from the ACTS courses.

Certified Lay Ministry Students, in addition to the application & essays, must also: 

1. Submit a letter of recommendation from the church of membership stating:
   1. The church has formally endorsed the student’s gifts for ministry by a vote of the church (either by the congregation as a whole or by an appropriate committee or group within the church).
   2. A brief background of the student’s current involvement in the life of the church.
   3. A willingness for the church, upon graduation to, consider the student for certification.
   4. Willingness to provide support and prayer for the student as he/she pursues the program.
   5. That the 3 criteria listed above for all students are true for this student.
2. Submit three brief letters of recommendation (at least one, but no more than one American Baptist minister and one relative can be included) commenting on the applicant’s fitness for ministry.

• CLM students who meet these requirements and are accepted into ACTS must make note of the fact that the Academy does not certify persons for ministry. Completion of studies does not guarantee a student will be certified or placed in a pastoral position in a church. Please see page entitled “A Word About Certification and Placement” in the New Student Handbook for further details on this subject. 

Application

Essays & all letters of recommendation should be sent to:​
Debra Trojak, ACTS Administrator
[email protected]​