Central Bible College

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Central Bible College is an Assemblies of God institution of higher learning located in Springfield, Missouri. The college has a Bible-centered curriculum designed to educate and train ministers, missionaries, and Christian workers to serve the Lord Jesus Christ in and through the local church.

It is the purpose of Central Bible College to provide Bible-centered courses of training to prepare Christian workers for effectual service at home and abroad; to maintain an institution which shall foster and nourish the spiritual life of its students; to stimulate missionary and evangelistic interest and zeal; and to serve as an instrument to perpetuate and strengthen the distinctive testimony and ministry of the Assemblies of God.

CBC enjoys academic and professional accreditation with the Association for Biblical Higher Education, as well as the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Central Bible's College's faithfulness in educating ministers and missionaries has provided a rich academic environment for thousands of alumni. As one of the finest finishing schools for spiritual leaders, it is their firm commitment to honor CBC's heritage in the Assemblies of God by maintaining a singular focus - the training of ministers and missionaries.

1 History
2 Presidents
3 Alumni
4 External links

[edit] History

General Council of the Assemblies of God was founded in 1914 with three major emphases, one of which was an emphasis upon the desire to train ministers and missionaries. Central Bible Institute (later renamed Central Bible College) was established in 1922 in response to this desire.

Under the leadership of D. W. Kerr, classes assembled in the basement of the old Central Assembly of God building at Campbell and Calhoun. The crowded quarters, which included only two classrooms, were soon outgrown. City businessmen contributed $5,000 for purchase of a 15-acre tract on North Grant Avenue, and construction began. With a student body of 132, Central Bible College occupied its new building, Bowie Hall, in 1924. The first class was graduated in 1925. Later, more land was acquired, increasing the size of the campus to 32 acres.

Along with establishing a fully operational campus, a solid foundation of Biblical principle and practical training was laid by John W. Welch, W. T. Gaston, Ernest S. Williams, Frank M. Boyd, and W. I. Evans as each assumed leadership roles for Central Bible Institute through the early years.

Adding to Central Bible Institute’s rapid growth, three other schools merged with CBC: Bethel Bible Training Institute of Newark, New Jersey in 1929; South Central Bible College of Hot Springs, Arkansas in 1953; and Great Lakes Bible Institute, Zion, Illinois, in 1954.

The first full-time president was Bartlett Peterson who began his administration in 1948. In the same year CBC inaugurated its fourth year of course work, leading to a bachelor degree, and became a charter member of the Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges.

[edit] Presidents

J. Robert Ashcroft became the second president of Central Bible College and the first president of Evangel College in 1958, serving in a dual role. The 1963 edition of the yearbook said that “the desire of the President that every student who attends CBI be filled with, and manifest the Gifts of, the Holy Spirit is evidenced in the example he sets as a man of prayer and dedication.” It was soon apparent that one president for two schools was not a feasible option. Ashcroft remained the head of Evangel College and CBI began looking for a new president.

In 1963, Philip Crouch became president of the college and served until 1980. Under his leadership the name was changed from Central Bible Institute to Central Bible College. Many new facilities were added to the campus throughout his presidency. Among other activities after leaving CBC, Crouch assisted his brother, Paul Crouch, with TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network).

H. Maurice Lednicky, the fourth full-time president of Central Bible College, served from 1980 until 2001, the longest presiding term to date. His pulpit ministry exhibited a style of passionate Pentecostal preaching and thousands of students were inspired by his example. During his presidency, the Zimmerman Fine Arts Center and Forest Arnold Activities Center were built to further enhance opportunities for training and student life.

M. Wayne Benson served as the fifth full-time president of Central Bible College. Under his brief tenure, CBC sought and received accreditation through the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. A strong financial emphasis characterized his presidency as the school sought to retire debt incurred through the construction of the Zimmerman Center and other projects. After one term as president, Benson announced he would not seek a second term.

Gary A. Denbow currently serves as the sixth full-time president of Central Bible College. Denbow's background mirrors much of CBC's mission, having served as a missionary, church planter, and senior pastor. The mark of his presidency thus far has been his proposed $2.4 million campus improvement plan titled Extreme Makeover: CBC Edition.

[edit] Alumni

Benny C. Aker, Ph.D. - former Professor of New Testament and Exegesis at the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary
Charles Crabtree - Assistant General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God
Craig Keener, Ph.D. - Professor of New Testament Studies at Palmer Theological Seminary; author of several books.
Gary B. McGee, Ph.D. - Distinguished Professor of Church History and Pentecostal Studies at the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary; Staley Lecturer
William Menzies, Ph.D. - former Professor at Central Bible College, Evangel University, the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary; lecturer at Covenant Theological Seminary; consulting editor for Christianity Today; author of several books
John Lindell, -Pastor of megachruch James River Assembly of God, Ozark, Missouri.
Mark J. Brown, - Missionary currently serving in the Philippines (http://www.filipinomissions.com).