In August 2009, Dr. James Bryan Smith developed the Apprentice Institute. The institute provides spiritually transforming educational experiences for churches and individuals seeking a Christ-centered life. Its main goals are to educate the current and next generation of leaders; resource individuals, churches, pastors and ministries in the work of Christian spiritual formation; and research and advance the field of Christian spiritual formation.

As a result, the Bachelor of Arts in Christian Spiritual Formation was developed as an option for a second major or certificate.