Past

The Cape Evangelical Bible Institute started in the back room of a small Cape Flat's church. There on cold evenings a tall farmer's son from Washington State , USA , faithfully taught his class of three students. Not much to write home about, no major success stories, just a ministry of total commitment and unswerving faithfulness - humble beginnings indeed. A day programme was added and by 1974 the first phase of the building programme in Surrey Estate, Athlone, was completed. Word spread across the city that a new Bible college had appeared.

Don and Eva Aeschliman, and their growing faculty, began to see men and women from all walks of life and different denominations enter the doors of the college. This was the apartheid era, when suspicion affected every institution in society, from hospitals to churches.

Present

VISION - The College has changed! It has an even brighter future! With the same convictions but strengthened by a new curriculum and a new name Cornerstone has been launched into preparing for the 21st century. These changes have invigorated the College significantly.
It all started when the Board of Trustees considered the needs of the Church and society. We are committed to sending into society people who are professionally and biblically equipped to be "salt and light"; people who see the vision for mission within the total scope of our society and world. 

CURRICULUM - When the College purpose statement was broadened to include, "preparation for service in churches and communities", it was possible to include non-theological training in the existing programmes. We dream of producing leaders in business, politics, education, church and the community at large whose first calling will be to share the love of Christ with others. We can also now offer many more Christian young people the opportunity to prepare for work in the marketplace in the context of an academic Christian institution.

NAME - Cornerstone Institute reflects our commitment to build solid foundations in the lives of students. We believe, and are convinced, that amidst all the changes in our wonderful country there is "no other foundation, but Christ, the Stone once rejected". We build on  him as we share the Good News together.

PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

Cornerstone Institute is a community of learning committed to a Christ-centred, biblically-shaped worldview, preparing leaders for service in churches and communities.

We encourage the college community to love God and God’s Word and to desire to submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the direction of the Holy Spirit in all aspects of their lives. In all of our programmes and activities we encourage students to have a passion for God, personal holiness, a high values for people, personal integrity and growth toward wholeness.

In acknowledging the Lordship of Jesus Christ over all facets of life, we strive for academic excellence, which includes a commitment to scholarship, an ability to think creatively and critically with an openness to continual learning. We aim to produce graduates who are self-managing individuals, contributing workers, and critical citizens.

The faculty is committed to using educational methods accommodating diverse learning styles which encourage the above values. We seek to avoid methods which dehumanize or promote competitiveness.

The college exists to provide Christian-based higher education and training for as wide a group as possible, not excluding anyone on the basis of, for example, race, sex or physical disability. At the same time we intentionally include and support the educationally disadvantaged.

Recognising that our students come from a variety of backgrounds, the curriculum is structured to give them the skills needed to live out the Good news of Jesus Christ in a diverse community and broken world in a spirit of love and reconciliation, justice and peace.

PURPOSE STATEMENT

Cornerstone Institute is a community of learning committed to a Christ-centred, biblically – shaped worldview, preparing leaders for service in churches and communities.

Accreditation

Fact Sheet