Our vision is to see thousands of loving, skilled graduates bringing the light of Christ to a dark and needy world.
Our mission is to create learning communities where God prepares people – theologically, practically, and spiritually – to serve Jesus in diverse contexts and cultures.
SMBC is evangelical, and holds to the Bible’s full authority as the inspired Word of God. Read our Doctrinal Statement.
We are a learning community, preparing you for ministry.
Our faculty are biblical specialists committed to guiding your learning journey – a team of theologians, missiologists, biblical language experts, research academics and church historians. Their teaching goes beyond head knowledge, preparing you with spiritual formation and practical ministry skills.
Our courses offer range from certificates to doctorate, combining in-depth biblical studies with practical ministry skills and spiritual formation. Study Old Testament, New Testament, Theology, Christianity in history, Ethics, Biblical languages, Cross-cultural Mission, Preaching, and Pastoral Ministry.
Our graduates become pastors, missionaries, leaders, chaplains, preachers and evangelists. They work in churches, cross-cultural missions, parachurch and university ministries around the world.
SMBC is one of the largest college within the Australian University of Theology (Australia’s #1 ranked tertiary education provider for student satisfaction). We are committed to academic excellence and faithful preparation for Christian ministry.
Our Values
Centred on the Bible
The Word of God is our guide, our delight, our final authority, and our prized tool for ministry. Therefore, we pursue deep and transformative biblical knowledge, understanding, and application.
Passionate about God’s mission
We heed the command of Christ to make disciples of all nations. We have a special burden for the least-reached people of the world.
Growing spiritually
We pursue a Christlike character, godly obedience, courageous faith, and a deepening love for God and neighbour, recognising that these are of the utmost importance for life and ministry.
Community-oriented
We believe that learning is more satisfying, meaningful, mutual, and transformative when it happens in the context of relationship. Our priorities, activities, and physical spaces reflect this.
Diverse
We believe that God is glorified and we grow in wisdom and character when the community in which we learn and serve is richly diverse. Our proudly interdenominational community includes men and women from a variety of cultures, backgrounds, levels of education, and life stages.
Focussed on ministry outcomes
We pursue ministry competencies, personal effectiveness, cultural intelligence, and communication skills appropriate to our contexts.
Our History
“Not only are we a Bible College, but we are a Missionary College, sending forth the message of salvation to all the ends of the earth.”
– SMBC founder, Rev Benson Barnett
Over 100 years ago, Benson and Elizabeth Barnett, returned missionaries from China, had a dream of establishing an interdenominational college to prepare people for gospel ministry. In 1916 the dream became a reality and over the years, thousands have gone out from SMBC equipped to share the gospel across the world.
