Somerset Christian College

Welcome to Pillar College where we are dedicated to helping you pursue God’s purpose and your passions in higher education. Pillar is an undergraduate and graduate institution of higher learning that is faithful to classical Christianity, grounded on the authority of God’s Word, and committed to challenging Christians to serve Christ with passion and purpose. As He came into the world to serve God and humanity, you also are invited to learn how to invest your life to make a lasting impact on our world.

Pillar College educates, inspires, and equips students for excellent scholarship, service, and leadership. Rooted in and committed to Christian faith and love, Pillar fosters intellectual, spiritual, and social development among its diverse student population at various instructional sites.

Pillar stands firmly within the Wesleyan heritage in embracing a world-wide parish, an obligation of love to serve the poor and needy, an earnest devotion to the empowering work of the Holy Spirit in every believer, and willingness to seek unity and cooperation with other believers on all that is essential to faithful Christian life.

Such commitments provide endless possibilities by which Pillar College works to implement its mission for every student. We start by affirming a heartfelt desire to welcome students of various theological traditions and various ethnic, national, and/or racial heritages. With this global outlook, Pillar also seeks to co-labor with area churches and denominations of kindred heart.

Pillar College is New Jersey’s one and only fully-accredited evangelical college in the heart of the inner-city. A great way to learn more about the Pillar College community is to schedule a personal visit or attend any of our Admissions Events scheduled throughout the year at any of our three locations -in Newark, Somerset, or Paterson. Pillar Ambassadors lead campus tours on weekdays and select Saturdays (Open House). You can visit classrooms, talk to professors, visit our student center, and athletic facilities (Somerset campus only) – When you visit you’ll find that Pillar College is more than an address and you’ll get a good sense of the unique and supportive environment offered at each campus and the types of students Pillar attracts. While here, you can talk with an Admission Counselor.

Financing a college education requires determination, careful planning, and most importantly faith. While we maintain that paying for a college education remains the responsibility of the student, we also believe that God provides for those who are diligent in obeying His call. Students seeking financial aid should review resources available through the Pillar College Financial Aid office.

Pillar College makes it a priority to offer our students a quality education at the lowest possible cost. Tuition and fees only cover a portion of the total cost of education. Additional funds offsetting the cost to students are derived from gifts to the College from area churches and contributors. In this way every student receives assistance through our affordable tuition structure.

Pillar College operates a full student financial aid program, including grants, scholarships, loans and employment, allowing any student a realistic opportunity to finance their college education. More than 95% of all Pillar College students who apply for financial assistance to further their education receive it. We are aware that each family offers a unique financial situation and our Financial Aid staff is available to work with students to find the resources to fund their education at Pillar College.

The goal of Student Services is to provide supportive, community-oriented services to address the needs of students at Pillar College academically, spiritually, emotionally, and vocationally. Our desire is to become an ever-improving, caring, and equipping community that encourages personal and community health. To accomplish this, we practice cooperation within the community, as well as a network of contacts with professional Christian counselors, therapists, and psychiatrists that work in our area. We also seek to maintain positive and mutually rewarding contact with churches, pastors, and various parachurch ministries.

Students at Pillar College develop incredibly close friendships with one another. Interactive classes and student led events along with dynamic and interactive classroom settings enhance these relationships.

Pillar College has its roots as an educational ministry of the Pillar of Fire, International. The Pillar of Fire was organized in 1901. It is an evangelical organization with theological roots in the Methodist Episcopal Church and the nineteenth century American Holiness Movement.

Originally called Zarephath Bible Institute, ZBI was founded in 1908 as a training school for missionaries, preachers, and teachers. Over the years, it has prepared many students to serve in various occupations in numerous Christian ministry organizations.

ZBI became Somerset Christian College on March 23, 2001 When the New Jersey Commission on Higher Education issued the license to grant the two-year Associate in Biblical Studies degree. In 2006 the college was approved to offer four-year Bachelor of Arts degrees.

After the loss of the Zarephath Campus due to Hurricane Irene in 2011, Somerset Christian College moved its headquarters to Newark NJ and in 2012 changed its name to Pillar College.