QUEST

"Coming into Quest, I never thought I would be as changed as I am now."

Adventure. That’s what you’re signing up for when you apply to Quest. You're probably thinking about adventure, as in amazing outdoor expeditions  — and you wouldn't be wrong. But the hiking, sailing, snow-caving trips are just one part of Quest. There's the adventure of intentional community — the kind where you go deep and become true friends. Adventures in learning and growing — everything from lectures, to one-on-one mentoring sessions, to developing core life skills. Adventures in actively serving the people who need it most. And then there's the biggest adventure of all: exploring who you are as God's child and what it means to follow Jesus with every part of your self.

This is adventure with the potential to change your life.

You in?

Build a Christ-Centered Foundation

 You'll dig into the Scriptures, explore your beliefs, and get to know God better. You'll wrestle with what matters most in life and what it means to live as a disciple of Jesus. You'll spend time in lectures, learning from Columbia's caring faculty, and then tackling assignments and exams that help you solidify your faith.

Experience Outdoor Adventure

 Out-trips are not the 'why' of Quest — they're part of the 'how.' You'll put down your phone and head into God's stunning Creation with your Quest classmates and leaders. In all, you'll spend 40 days on excursions that give you a chance to connect with each other, with God, and with yourself in new ways. You'll come home with new confidence, possibly sore muscles, and hilarious stories.

Meet the Bedfords

"When our son attended Quest, I had some reservations. Chief among them was the thought that if you are going to spend that much, you might as well get on with your education. I was wrong. What changed my mind was my son. Nothing he said, but who he was when he got home. Yes, they sail, and ski and canoe and hike, but somehow they squeeze in a whole lot of biblical study. More importantly is the obvious amount of effort put into discipleship, facilitated no doubt, by the community developed through the activities. When our daughter went, I had different reservations: how would she fit in, would it be a good experience for a completely different personality? Her experience was profound and life changing. My personal thanks to you at the Quest program for making this a safe, yet challenging program: educational, but deeply rooted in discipleship and Christian community. You change lives. We have another son coming your way: No reservations."

Combining experiential learning with in-class learning is what makes Quest unique. Students will typically complete a 25-credit course load during the course of the year. Quest students have the option to add 1 to 2 courses of their choice if they feel able.

Many QUEST grads go on to further education at various universities and colleges across North America. Some QUEST credits may be eligible for credit transfer.

QUEST students who wish to transfer seamlessly into one Columbia's diploma & degree programs will find it easy to do so. They will need to complete two additional courses (Church in Mission and a Bible elective) in order to graduate. Quest and academic staff will work with students to choose a good way forward. Program options include:

• Diploma in Applied Leadership
• Diploma in Outdoor Leadership
• Diploma in Human Services/BA in Practical Theology, Major in Counselling
• Explore More Programs

DOWNLOAD FALL 2021 PROGRAM COURSE CHECKLIST

Jeremy Walker Quest Director
Growing up in the Okanagan fostered a love for the outdoors in Jeremy. As he pursued that passion, it became evident that his love of creation also meant love for the Creator, and a lifetime of discipleship began. With over 15 years of outdoor experience, one of his favourite thing to do is introduce others to the vibrant and vast outdoor world and help them experience what it means to be fully known and loved by others. Jeremy and his wife Christina (Quest '99) live in Abbotsford with their three children.

Mike Richardson Quest Founder & Faculty
Mike loves fun and adventure. Most of these experiences he shares with his wife, Kathy, who also taught in the Quest Program. Mike created the Quest program with his own kids in mind, wanting them to experience a time of discipleship and life transformation. When Mike and Kathy aren't busy gorilla trekking and water skiing in Rwanda, sleeping with the lions on safari in Uganda, or snorkeling with sea turtles in the Caribbean, they can be found being very engaged grandparents!

Matt Kliever, Quest Program Associate
Matt grew up as a prairie farm-boy, but spending a year in the Adirondacks of New York allowed him to experience first-hand the discipleship opportunities made possible by mountains. Since then, he and his wife Koty have moved to Abbotsford to raise a family (two kids so far!) and to help facilitate adventure-filled years of discipleship for others. One of his biggest passions in life is helping people shape their identity as a follower of Christ so they can live lives of freedom and fulfillment.