Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary: A Legacy of Biblical Education

Introduction

Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary stands as a testament to the enduring commitment to providing comprehensive biblical education grounded in conservative evangelical principles. Since its inception, the institution has been dedicated to equipping students for various ministries through rigorous academic programs that emphasize both theological depth and practical application. This article explores the rich history, academic focus, campus life, and enduring mission of Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary.

The Visionary Foundation

The seeds of Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary were sown at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, where William H. Jordan heard D. L. Moody passionately advocate for the importance of training Christian workers for the ministry. This encounter ignited a spark in Jordan that would eventually lead to the establishment of a nondenominational Bible school known as the Omaha Bible Institute (OBI) in 1921, while he served as pastor of Third Presbyterian Church in Omaha, Nebraska. Classes began in the summer of 1921, marking the humble beginnings of an institution that would grow to impact countless lives.

From Omaha Bible Institute to Faith Baptist Bible College

The Omaha Bible Institute faced challenges during the mid-1940s, with trustees questioning its continued viability. However, Dr. John L. Patten, then a part-time faculty member and pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Omaha, championed the school's cause.

In the mid-1950s, the institution sought the approval and support of Baptists, leading to its renaming as Omaha Baptist Bible Institute (OBBI). The curriculum was broadened, and courses were expanded to establish the school on a collegiate level.

Recognizing the need for a larger campus, the Board of Directors voted in 1965 to relocate the institution to Ankeny, Iowa. When OBBC’s president John L. Patten resigned because of health reasons in 1965, the school called Dr. Over the next few years, David Nettleton led in raising money and building a new campus in Ankeny. In 1969 he walked from Omaha to Ankeny to celebrate the completion of the sale of the Omaha campus and to raise money for a classroom building. This relocation marked a significant step in the college's growth and development. In moving to Ankeny in the summer of 1967, Comstock Avenue, the street at the front of the new college property, was changed to College Avenue. The first buildings to be built were the college Administration building and a multipurpose building. One of the next buildings added to the new campus was the library, originally built as the college's library and as classrooms. The building has since been totally taken over by the library and named Patten Hall, in honor of FBBC's president of eighteen years, Dr. John L. By October 1, 1967, two hundred and sixty-seven students were enrolled at the college's new campus.

Expansion into Graduate Studies and Seminary

The institution continued to evolve, and in the fall of 1982, a graduate program offering a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in Pastoral Studies was initiated. This marked the beginning of Faith's expansion into graduate-level theological education.

Denver Baptist Bible College, established in 1952 by Dr. Sam Bradford, pastor of Beth Eden Baptist Church in Denver, Colorado, played a crucial role in the development of Faith Baptist Theological Seminary. They added a seminary program in 1972, and the schools became approved by the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches in 1977.

Faith Baptist Theological Seminary officially began in the fall of 1986 with thirty students. Three Master of Arts degree programs and a three-year Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree were offered.

A Merger of Institutions

In the fall of 1985 and the early part of 1986, discussions began between the boards and administrators of Faith and Denver Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary regarding a potential merger. These discussions led to both boards voting in January 1986 to merge the two institutions in the fall of 1986. Since Denver already had a full M.Div. After extensive planning and the merger of the two institutions, Faith Baptist Theological Seminary opened for classes on September 2, 1986. That first year 30 men enrolled in the new seminary with 10 of them coming from Denver. In 1987 we had our first M.Div. graduates-four men who had started in Denver and finished at Faith. In 1989 we had our first M.Div. graduates from students who began in the new seminary in 1986. This merger strengthened Faith's commitment to providing comprehensive theological training.

Academic Focus and Programs

Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary offers a focused selection of academic divisions tailored to prepare students for ministry and theological service. Students can engage with faculties that specialize in various areas of ministry, including biblical studies, pastoral counseling, and Christian education.

Read also: Tuition and Aid Options

The curriculum supports research and scholarship in theology and ministry, fostering an environment where students can pursue advanced studies in areas such as biblical languages, hermeneutics, and systematic theology.

Faith offers 13 one- to four-year undergraduate programs, as well as a Master of Divinity, Doctor of Ministry, and four Master of Arts programs in Biblical Studies, Practical Theology, Religion, and Theological Studies. In 2025, we added our first non-seminary graduate program, a Master of Education.

Students are required to take part in service learning, which they can acquire by connecting with over 20 local churches for ministry opportunities. You can earn college credit while still in high school! Programs designed to prepare you for your calling.

Faith is approved by the Iowa Department of Education, which means our graduates are eligible to receive Iowa teacher licensure. Our students consistently perform well on the Praxis exams for state licensure. The Education Program at Faith is authorized by the Iowa Department of Education to offer five endorsements, which you can earn by taking online classes.

Campus and Location

Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary is located in Ankeny, Iowa, in the Midwest region of the United States. The campus address is 1900 Northwest 4th Street, Ankeny, IA 50023. The campus is built around a large center circle. It consists of 24 buildings. At the time of its construction, the campus was the westernmost point in Ankeny.

Jordan Hall (1967) - administrative offices; formerly known as the Administration Building; renamed for the school's founder William H. Nettleton Center (1974/2006) - 1,500-seat gymnasium, locker rooms, weight & fitness room, athletic office, student life department, student center, bookstore, music room, health center, classrooms; formerly called the Convocation Building; renamed for Dr. Shipp Hall (2017)-Seminary building, seminary faculty, dedicated in honor of Dr. Domokos Hall (2019) -named after Dr. Robert Domokos (known as Dr. Bob) who served the school as a president from 1987 to 1993.

For students and visitors traveling by air, the nearest major airport is Des Moines International Airport, which provides convenient access to the college.

Accreditation and Recognition

Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and by the Association for Biblical Higher Education. FBTS is one of the few seminaries that have received this level of accreditation. Approval from these two agencies, reaffirmed in 2011, gives FBTS the highest and strongest accreditation possible.

Athletics

Faith Baptist Bible College is a member the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Division 2. They are part of the North Central Region with Providence University College and Theological Seminary, North Central University, and Trinity Bible College. The Eagles compete in 7 sports: women's volleyball, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's basketball, track and field, and cross-country.

The Faith Pulpit

Right from the beginning, in fact, before the beginning, FBTS began publishing the Faith Pulpit to address significant matters of theological and ministerial interest. We published the first issue in January of 1986, eight months before the seminary opened. The seminary has produced 230 issues since its beginning. Pastors and church leaders tell us they appreciate the Pulpit and file their copies for future reference.

Financial Information

Tuition In-State Tuition $20,270. Out-of-State Tuition $20,270. Additional Costs Room and Board $8,380. Books and Supplies $1240. The average net price is $14,419.

Notable Faculty and Alumni

Throughout its history, Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary has been blessed with dedicated faculty members who have contributed significantly to the institution's mission.

Many fine men have served on the faculty at FBTS.

Adjunct and visiting faculty members add strength to the resident faculty. Adjunct faculty members include Mr. Don Anderson, Mr. Dan Bjokne, Dr. Paul Hartog, Dr. George Houghton, Dr. Jeff Newman, and Mr. Andy Stearns. Recent visiting faculty members have been Dr. Roy Beacham, Dr. Robert Delnay, Dr. Jack Klem, Dr. Fred Moritz, Mr. Jacob Saylor, Dr. Rick Shrader, and Dr.

The true test of any institution is the product-the men and women who graduate from the school. From the 17 graduates of the class of 2011, six of the men were already serving in pastoral or mission ministries, one left immediately after graduation to pastor a church, and another moved to Minnesota to start a church. One of the Bible colleges in the Midwest has sent two of its faculty members to FBTS for their graduate degrees. In addition, eight of the current FBBC&TS faculty members are graduates of our seminary.

Transcripts are available for Faith, Omaha, and Denver alumni. You can order transcripts online at any time.

Testimonials

I could speak at length about what I appreciated in my time at FBBC. The Lord used FBBC to both spark and stoke a desire for Christian service. This largely came from watching the servant-hearted example of those who are in leadership. I now find myself in ministry at a church and school that I love and I feel that FBBC was crucial to my preparation both academically and spiritually. I can confidently recommend FBBC because the Lord used the godly men and women who serve there to point me to Christ and to equip me to do so for others. I am grateful.

Megan's Review: When I came to Faith I wanted to learn more about God and the Bible and I have been very impressed with the academic level achieved here.

Enduring Mission and Vision

Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary is dedicated to equipping students for effective Christian ministry through a comprehensive biblical education. The college seeks to cultivate a learning environment grounded in Scriptural truth, encouraging students to develop a strong foundation in theology and biblical studies.

Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary envisions producing leaders who are committed to advancing the mission of the church worldwide.

Faith Baptist Theological Seminary is committed to maintaining a fundamental, separatist, Baptist seminary that focuses on preparing Bible expositors.

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