Henry Hildebrand
Encyclopedia
Henry Hildebrand is most known for being the founding principal (later called president) of Briercrest Bible Institute for 42 years; the school is now known as Briercrest Family of Schools or Briercrest College and Seminary
.
. At age 14, Hildebrand was converted at a Canadian Sunday School Mission summer camp.
In 1929 Hildebrand enrolled in Winnipeg Bible Institute (now known as Providence College
), where he earned an undergraduate degree and completed a year of post-graduate studies. It was at this time he met Inger Soyland. A Norwegian by descent, Inger had come to Canada with a cousin to visit her aunt, but her return to Norway was cancelled when the Depression struck.
In 1935 he accepted an invitation to come to the small town of Briercrest, Saskatchewan
, to lead the Briercrest Gospel Assembly. That same year Briercrest Bible Institute was founded. In 1946 the institute moved to Caronport, Saskatchewan
, and a Christian high school was created. The Bible institute grew to become one of Canada’s largest Christian post-secondary schools (now known as Briercrest College and Seminary).
Hildebrand married Inger Soyland on August 12, 1937, and brought his new bride to Briercrest. Their family grew to include five children, Marcia, Evelyn, David, Paul, and Glen.
After his retirement in 1977, Hildebrand served as chancellor until 1990, and chancellor emeritus until his passing. He and Inger moved from Caronport in 1992, but remained very involved in the ministry of Briercrest.
On October 24, 1979, Dr. Hildebrand was invested by Governor-General Edward Schreyer with membership in the nation’s highest civil honour, the Order of Canada, for his leadership in Christian education through Briercrest and the impact of his life upon Canadian youth and society.
1930-32–Diploma
1932-33–Post-graduate
Wheaton College
1949
Winona Lake School of Theology
1964–BA (major in Bible)
1966–MA
* Central Heights MB Church - Abbotsford, BC
* Contemporary Leadership Dynamics – Illustrations from Acts (published 1987)
* The Model of Servant Leadership – (published 1990)
* Living the Abounding Life–Empowered by the Holy Spirit – (published 1996)
* Our Gracious and Loving Heavenly Father – Devotionals – Book 1 (published 1999)
* Our Gracious and Loving Heavenly Father – Devotionals – Book 2 (published 2000)
* Joyful Servants: A Biography of David and Jeannie Hildebrand – (published 2001)
* Our Gracious God and Loving Heavenly Father, Vols. 1, 2, 3, 4
Briercrest College and Seminary
Briercrest College and Seminary is a private Christian post-secondary educational institution located in Caronport, Saskatchewan, Canada. It comprises a college and a seminary, and operates the Caronport High School.-History:...
.
History
Born in 1911, Henry Hildebrand immigrated to Canada with his parents Peter and Anna, and the rest of their family in 1925 to escape the growing Communist tyranny in southern Russia (Ukraine). They settled near Winkler, ManitobaWinkler, Manitoba
Winkler is a small city with a population of about 9,900 located in southern Manitoba, Canada in the Rural Municipality of Stanley...
. At age 14, Hildebrand was converted at a Canadian Sunday School Mission summer camp.
In 1929 Hildebrand enrolled in Winnipeg Bible Institute (now known as Providence College
Providence College
Providence College is a private, coeducational, Catholic university located about two miles west of downtown Providence, Rhode Island, United States, the state's capital city. With a 2010–2011 enrollment of 3,850 undergraduate students and 735 graduate students, the College specializes in academic...
), where he earned an undergraduate degree and completed a year of post-graduate studies. It was at this time he met Inger Soyland. A Norwegian by descent, Inger had come to Canada with a cousin to visit her aunt, but her return to Norway was cancelled when the Depression struck.
In 1935 he accepted an invitation to come to the small town of Briercrest, Saskatchewan
Briercrest, Saskatchewan
-Area statistics:*Lat 50° 10' 00" N*Long 105° 16' 00" W*Dominion Land Survey Section 18 Tsp 14 Rge 24 W2*Time zone UTC-6-External links:******...
, to lead the Briercrest Gospel Assembly. That same year Briercrest Bible Institute was founded. In 1946 the institute moved to Caronport, Saskatchewan
Caronport, Saskatchewan
Caronport is a village in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. The village had a population of 919 in the Canada 2006 Census, and is located within Census Division 7. The village is located 21 kilometres west of Moose Jaw on the Trans-Canada Highway. As of the 2006 census, Caronport is, by...
, and a Christian high school was created. The Bible institute grew to become one of Canada’s largest Christian post-secondary schools (now known as Briercrest College and Seminary).
Hildebrand married Inger Soyland on August 12, 1937, and brought his new bride to Briercrest. Their family grew to include five children, Marcia, Evelyn, David, Paul, and Glen.
After his retirement in 1977, Hildebrand served as chancellor until 1990, and chancellor emeritus until his passing. He and Inger moved from Caronport in 1992, but remained very involved in the ministry of Briercrest.
On October 24, 1979, Dr. Hildebrand was invested by Governor-General Edward Schreyer with membership in the nation’s highest civil honour, the Order of Canada, for his leadership in Christian education through Briercrest and the impact of his life upon Canadian youth and society.
Education
Winnipeg Bible Institute1930-32–Diploma
1932-33–Post-graduate
Wheaton College
Wheaton College (Illinois)
Wheaton College is a private, evangelical Protestant liberal arts college in Wheaton, Illinois, a suburb west of Chicago in the United States...
1949
Winona Lake School of Theology
1964–BA (major in Bible)
1966–MA
Recognition
- Order of CanadaOrder of CanadaThe Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
- October 24, 1979 - Received the nation’s highest civil honour at a ceremony at Government House, Ottawa
- Dr. Hildebrand was invested by Governor-General dward Schreyer with membership in the Order of Canada
- Given in recognition of Dr. Hildebrand’s lifelong work in Christian education through Briercrest Family of Schools and for the impact of his life upon Canadian youth and society.
- Honorary Doctorate (Doctor of Divinity) from Providence CollegeProvidence CollegeProvidence College is a private, coeducational, Catholic university located about two miles west of downtown Providence, Rhode Island, United States, the state's capital city. With a 2010–2011 enrollment of 3,850 undergraduate students and 735 graduate students, the College specializes in academic...
in 1977.
- Honorary Doctorate (Doctor of Pedagogy) from Briercrest Bible College in 1992, as well as the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal.
Church Affiliation
* Caronport Community Church* Central Heights MB Church - Abbotsford, BC
Books Published
* In His Loving Service – Memoirs by Henry Hildebrand (published 1985)* Contemporary Leadership Dynamics – Illustrations from Acts (published 1987)
* The Model of Servant Leadership – (published 1990)
* Living the Abounding Life–Empowered by the Holy Spirit – (published 1996)
* Our Gracious and Loving Heavenly Father – Devotionals – Book 1 (published 1999)
* Our Gracious and Loving Heavenly Father – Devotionals – Book 2 (published 2000)
* Joyful Servants: A Biography of David and Jeannie Hildebrand – (published 2001)
* Our Gracious God and Loving Heavenly Father, Vols. 1, 2, 3, 4