About Redeemer

Redeemer has been preparing students to reflect the love of Jesus Christ in every career and calling for more than 40 years. Redeemer students are being shaped by the Reformed Christian commitment to see faith woven through all aspects of learning and life.
Quick Facts
35+
different majors and streams that lead to a recognized degree
46
denominations represented in Redeemer’s student body
1094
students from 10 Canadian provinces and 23 other countries
40+
years Redeemer has been educating the next generation of Christian leaders
83
acre campus in beautiful Ancaster, Ontario, Canada
Mission & Vision
Mission
Preparing students to reflect the love of Jesus Christ in every career and calling.
Vision
Minds renewed.
Lives transformed.
World redeemed.
Values
Psalm 133:1
“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!”
Click a button below to view more about each value.
values
Truth
Jesus Christ is the image of the living God and is revealed to us in his inspired, infallible, authoritative word and in creation. Transformed by his Spirit, we uncover and illuminate his truth in all areas of life.
John 14:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
values
Learning
We seek to understand God’s world through a holistic and interdisciplinary exploration of all that God has made. Unceasing academic inquiry is matched by a commitment to ongoing professional development of faculty and staff.
Psalm 19:1-2
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.
values
Community
When we walk in the light with a shared purpose we have a deep fellowship with one another. From classrooms to dorms, departments to teams we invest in growing relationships with God and each other as we live, learn, work and worship together.
1 John 1:7
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
values
Excellence
Motivated for God’s glory, we are dedicated to continuous improvement to achieve and maintain high professional standards and innovative practices that enhance the student experience across the institution.
Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
values
Grace
We are deeply united in faith yet are made up of individuals with varied backgrounds and experiences. All of our interactions aspire to be characterized by grace, demonstrating kindness, hospitality and respect for one another.
Philippians 2:3-4
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
values
Courage
We pursue faithfulness through the Christian life in every field of human endeavour with joy and conviction, seeking the courage to live out God’s good design with boldness and humility, both publicly and privately.
1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.
God has called us into every realm of human endeavour to be agents of positive change in the world. Redeemer University helps students to understand that God has invited us to join him in his restorative work. Redeemer equips students and graduates to make an impact in all realms of life.
Dr. David Zietsma
President
strategic plan 2035
Every career and Calling
“For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.”
COLOSSIANS 1:19-20
What does
Reformed
mean?
At Redeemer University, the word Reformed refers to a rich, living, distinct, Christian tradition that acknowledges the breadth and depth of the larger church, including all who belong to Jesus Christ. In 2023-24, the university developed a digital publication that dives deeper into this tradition to add clarification and context to the Christian community.
Recognizing God’s faithfulness and Provision
Recounting Over 40 Years of Redeemer’s History
From inception to fully recognized university, trace the story of significant milestones, moments and miracles in Redeemer’s history.
The
Cross
Our
Calling
The Academic Identity of Redeemer University
Founding Language
Agnus Dei, Omnium Rex
The Coat of Arms of Redeemer University was initially designed in 1981 and registered by the Canadian Heraldic Authority in 1989. The Coat of Arms is rich with symbolism and reflects the mission and purpose of Redeemer University.

The Latin motto Agnus Dei Omnium Rex means “Lamb of God, King over All,” referring to the all-encompassing dominion of the Redeemer, whose name the university bears. The theme is most visible in the crest which contains the victorious Paschal Lamb framed in palm branches, symbolic of the Lordship of the risen Christ over all creation.

The arms portion contains an open book inscribed with the Greek letters Alpha and Omega, symbolizing that the education offered by the university is directed by Scripture and its central message of the redeeming work of Christ. Above this is a cross-crosslet flanked by two trilliums. The cross-crosslet (four Latin crosses set foot to foot, making a Greek cross, pointing in all four directions of the compass) represents the worldwide missionary spirit of Christianity, a spirit that has also come to expression in the Reformation and the Reformed Christian tradition from which the university developed. The trilliums, with their threefold flowers, remind us of the Trinity and are emblems of the province of Ontario in which the university was founded.
Conveniently located
Redeemer University is located in Ancaster, Ontario, Canada
Only an hour’s drive from Canada’s largest city, Toronto, Ontario, Redeemer’s 83-acre campus is close to big city amenities in nearby Hamilton, but maintains a beautiful natural landscape with mature trees and trails.
Find a rewarding career
Work at Redeemer
faculty
Full-timeOn site Starts: July 2026
Redeemer University invites applications for a tenure-track position (open rank) in Media and Communication Studies beginning July 2026.
staff
Contract (Feb' 26 - May '27)Hybrid/remote Starts: ASAP
The Admissions Counsellor (AC) is the front-line representative of Redeemer University with respect to prospective students, their families and high... More
Latest
Stories
As 2025 draws to a close, we take a look back on a year of mission-driven growth. 2025 affirmed the vital relevance of a Christian liberal arts education, evidenced by...
For business student Caleb Bosveld ‘27, running for city councillor is a worthy challenge.
Redeemer University has developed the H. Evan Runner Reading Room within the Peter Turkstra Library to house the personal library and papers of Dr. Cal Seerveld.
Redeemer's continuing improvement and investment in the Core strengthen each student's education.
It took a couple twists and turns, but Leanna (Petrusma) Nightingale ’18 has found her calling working for and in the city she calls home.
Dr. Katie Day Good, associate professor of communication at Calvin University and the 2025 Emerging Public Intellectual, is exploring the history and impact of modern...
Designed by Christian teachers for Christian teachers, the master of education is the first of several graduate programs planned to launch over the next few years.
The 2025 student body at Redeemer grew to 1,117 topping last year’s record of 1,094, and students living on campus grew to 585.
Redeemer students participated in summer research studying local ecology and promoting forest conservation.
Faculty explored the theological and philosophical foundations of Redeemer with Reformed philosopher Dr. Esther Meek as part of their August conference.
Redeemer University’s academic conference this October celebrates the Council of Nicaea and Nicene Creed.
Jennifer Ranter Hook ’06, winner of the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award, is making a global impact as founder of a nonprofit organization supporting foster and...
New recreation facility investments, including pickleball courts and enhancements to outdoor spaces, will benefit students and the local community.
Last fall, Dr. Laura Benjamins, assistant professor of music, spoke with Christian singer-songwriter Keith Getty following a workshop he presented at Redeemer University...
The Redeemer University athletics program has been recognized for keeping Christ at the centre of the student-athlete experience.
Ready to take the next step?