Gesellschaft für Bildung und Forschung in Europa
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA German-based international network of Christian educational institutions offering accredited theological study programmes.
Last updated September 28, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile yet.
Overview
The Gesellschaft für Bildung und Forschung in Europa e.V. (GBFE) is a registered association based in Gummersbach, Germany, that operates as an international and intercultural network of Christian educational institutions of an evangelical character. It promotes international study and research projects at master's and doctoral level in various disciplines, in cooperation with other international educational institutions. Its main focus discipline is theology, offered in cooperation with the University of South Africa (UNISA) and the University of Pretoria, whose degrees are recognised worldwide, including in Germany. The GBFE aims to support people by enabling them to pursue a solid academic further education founded on Christian values. Its academic programmes can be studied part-time alongside a career. In theology, there is a special offering for career changers who have previously studied another subject. GBFE institutes currently exist in Germany, Switzerland and Denmark. The association's board is elected by the members of GBFE e.V. for a term of four years and serves as the executive board of the GBFE Council. Each institute that is a full member of the GBFE is represented in the GBFE Council by one fixed person with one vote. The first chairman of GBFE e.V. is Christoph Stenschke, and since 2021 there has also been a student representative on the board. The GBFE was founded in 2000 as the successor institution to the Forschungszentrum für deutschsprachige, evangelikale Mission in Korntal by Klaus W. Müller. In that same year, five graduates obtained a degree through the GBFE. In January 2000, the cooperation with the University of South Africa was signed. In 2002, most of today's member institutes joined the GBFE. In 2008, the GBFE joined the European Evangelical Accrediting Association (EEAA), today's European Council for Theological Education (ECTE), as an associate member. Since 2010, a degree titled Zertifikat Theologie has been offered, intended for volunteer workers in congregations. Since the end of 2020, there has also been a cooperation with the theological faculty of the University of Pretoria. By 2010, a total of 106 people had obtained a degree through the GBFE, including 9 Bachelor of Theology, 69 Master of Theology and 28 Doctor theologiae. In 2020, the GBFE recorded over 300 graduates of its programmes in total.
History
The Gesellschaft für Bildung und Forschung in Europa e.V. (GBFE) was founded in 2000 as the successor institution to the Forschungszentrum für deutschsprachige, evangelikale Mission in Korntal by Klaus W. Müller. In that same year, five graduates obtained a degree through the GBFE. In January 2000, the cooperation with the University of South Africa (UNISA) was signed. In 2002, most of today's member institutes joined the GBFE. In 2008, the GBFE joined the European Evangelical Accrediting Association (EEAA), today's European Council for Theological Education (ECTE), as an associate member. Since 2010, a degree titled Zertifikat Theologie has been offered, intended for volunteer workers in congregations. Since the end of 2020, there has also been a cooperation with the theological faculty of the University of Pretoria. By 2010, a total of 106 people had obtained a degree through the GBFE, including 9 Bachelor of Theology, 69 Master of Theology and 28 Doctor theologiae. In 2020, the GBFE recorded over 300 graduates of its programmes in total.
- 2020
Cooperation with the theological faculty of the University of Pretoria begins; over 300 total graduates recorded.
- 2010
Zertifikat Theologie degree introduced for volunteer workers in congregations.
- 2008
GBFE joins the European Evangelical Accrediting Association (EEAA), today's European Council for Theological Education (ECTE), as an associate member.
- 2002
Most of today's member institutes join the GBFE.
- 2000
GBFE founded as successor to Forschungszentrum für deutschsprachige, evangelikale Mission in Korntal by Klaus W. Müller; cooperation with University of South Africa signed; 5 graduates obtain degrees.
Products and positioning
International network of evangelical Christian educational institutions offering accredited theological degrees.
Bachelor of Theology
Undergraduate theology degree offered through GBFE.
Master of Theology
Graduate theology degree offered through GBFE.
Doctor theologiae
Doctoral theology degree offered through GBFE.
Zertifikat Theologie
Certificate in theology for volunteer workers in congregations, offered since 2010.
Sources4 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/gesellschaft-für-bildung-und-forschung-in-europa · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled