St Padarn's Institute consolidates the work of St Michael's College in Cardiff and St Seiriol's Centre in North Wales, and comes on the back of dwindling attendances in the Church in Wales and the church's subsequent decision to reorganise traditional parishes into larger Ministry Areas.
The Institute offers several more courses than the previous colleges and considerably expands the ministry and education opportunities for lay members of the church.
Ministers from all over Wales will deliver training on behalf of St Padarn's to the country's six Ministry Areas, making discipleship opportunities across the nation more accessible rather than forcing prospective students to either study at one of the two former colleges.
Its degree courses will be validated by the University of Wales, Trinity St David, and it will continue the Church's research partnership with Cardiff University.
Revd Dr Jeremy Duff, the headteacher of St Padarn's, told Premier: "The sense that 'the time is now' is a slogan in the Church in Wales and actually what we're doing is in step with what God is doing in the churches.
"We actually are seeing this doubling of the numbers of people wanting to come forward to be equipped, to be disciples and ministers, in their communities.
"You can look at the churches and Church in Wales numbers haven't always been brilliant, but actually God does great things in many of our churches.
"We need hope and courage to get out there in our local communities."
Listen to Premier's Hannah Tooley speaking to Revd Dr Jeremy Duff:
