PURPOSE
 The purpose of IAPCHE, an organization of individuals and institutions, is to serve Jesus as Lord by fostering, worldwide, the development of integral Christian higher education through networking and related academic activity.

HISTORY

In 1973 Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education saw the need for an international conference of Reformed institutions of higher education. After consulting with institutions and persons involved in Reformed higher education throughout the world, except in countries dominated by dictatorship, the first international conference was held in 1975 at Potchefstroom, South Africa.

At this conference, the Association began as the International Conference of Institutions of Christian Higher Education. After a number of name and organizational changes, IAPCHE emerged as an organization of individual, institutional, affiliate, consulting and associate members.

From the beginning the purpose of the Association has been to develop a community of Christian scholars and academic institutions, working together to promote Christian higher education worldwide.

At the International Conference 2000, members developed a long-range plan designed to direct and expand IAPCHE's future activities to help meet the challenge of Christian higher education in the 21st century.

The papers, responses and resolutions adopted at our conferences thus far, as well as reports and articles published in the Circular (1975-1981), Bulletin (1981-1987), and Contact (1987-present) indicate how scholars and educators from different parts of the world have critically dealt with issues of knowledge, faith, science, and history.

BASIS

Academic work is an expression of life commitment to God the Creator, through Jesus Christ, in the power of the Spirit. Science and scholarship cannot have a neutral, uncommitted character but should be pursued from a biblical perspective.

A. The quest for truth in education and scholarship presupposes the meaningful character of the creation which is upheld by the Creator for the sake of his creatures. To his human creatures He has given a variety of cultural tasks which require education and scholarship.

B.  The interpretation and understanding of the truth is radically distorted by sin. For that reason, true knowledge is possible only because of God's grace which has triumphed in Jesus Christ. At the same time it should be recognized that God's grace is the source of truthful insights that arise outside of Christian scholarly endeavor.

C. By the Holy Spirit, Christ calls and directs his people to the renewal of their educational life so that the contribution they make can strengthen the people of God worldwide and be of service to all humankind.

D. God reveals is Scripture the true meaning of creation, sin, redemption, and service. The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are consequently authoritative for education and scholarship.