leadership, publishing Christian literature, smuggling Bibles behind the iron curtain, and teaching English as a second language. ABC alumni pursued advanced theological education, coming back to ABC to teach as well as at other Bible colleges, seminaries, and universities. They also pursued the professions of teaching, engineering, nursing, medicine, and law. ABC alumni sought to transform and contribute to culture as musicians and composers; in the academy (university) in various disciplines; in politics and public policy; in journalism, radio, and television; in business and entrepreneurship; and as public servants. ABC alumni include "tentmakers," preachers and multiple staff ministers, elders, deacons, church development entrepreneurs, church planters, trustees, teachers and professors, youth group leaders, and camp deans and staff. Graduates have also served in thirty-one foreign countries. Church ties From its inception Alberta Bible College sought to be a catalyst for unity in the Stone-Campbell tradition in Canada. In the 1960s the College hosted an annual, week-long "Minister's Institute" for leadership of all three streams of the Movement, "to promote fellowship and understanding" transcending the Movement's divisions. Conciliatory speakers such as W. Carl Ketcherside were introduced to the Canadian West through this and other special events. A consensus of openness and goodwill has continued to evolve, with the College providing much of the leadership. In 1990, the College initiated the Western Canadian Christian Convention, a convention that included all three streams of the Stone-Campbell Movement. This led to a growing interface with the a capella Churches of Christ. A number from the latter churches have graduated from Alberta Bible College and either serve in or minister to Christian churches and churches of Christ or a capella Churches of Christ. The school hired its first instructor from the a capella Churches of Christ in 1997. Academic emphasis Alberta Bible College is accredited with the Association of Biblical Higher Education. The "classical English Bible curriculum" remains the core of the College's ministerial training program, but as resources have allowed, other majors have been added. A unique emphasis of the academic program has been a heavy concentration on "practical experience." References Douglas A. Barrie, "Alberta Bible College." In his A History of the Christian Church and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Alberta, Canada. M.A. thesis. Lincoln, Illinois: Lincoln Christian Seminary, 1975, pp. 147–153. Melvin L. Breakenridge, "A Sketch of the History of the Alberta Bible College." 25th Anniversary booklet. Calgary, Alberta: Alberta Bible College,