The name given to Providence Christian College speaks boldly of God’s wonderful provision in the past and our trust in His goodness to provide for the future of this college. In our Reformed understanding of God’s Word, “providence” means that our sovereign God controls, upholds, and rules all things so that nothing simply happens to us by chance. As one of our Reformed confessions states, as a result of God’s providence, “we can be patient when things go against us, thankful when things go well, and for the future we can have good confidence in our faithful God and Father that nothing will separate us from His love” (Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 10).

As we began planning for the college we saw how very important God’s providence was for this effort. We began with nothing except a shared vision for a Reformed college on the West coast, and a commitment to the need for that college to be established and maintained for God’s glory. We had several needs: board members committed to the same vision, faculty, staff, and administrators solidly dedicated to the Scripture and the Reformed confessions, students desiring a quality Christ-centered education with a Reformed worldview, and the necessary funding and facilities. All of these needs had to be provided by our sovereign Lord. So, when it came time to name the college it was appropriate for us to give credit to the Lord’s providential care and especially recognize His gracious provision.

Our name also demands that we remember His sovereign care every day in the future. Whenever we stop trusting His providence, we will fail. Whenever we begin trusting in ourselves, we will fall. It is our prayer that Providence Christian College, and all those associated with it, will always promote its name, trusting in the gracious care of our Heavenly Father.