Northpoint Bible College: A Legacy of Pentecostal Ministry Training
Northpoint Bible College and Seminary, situated in Haverhill, Massachusetts, stands as a private Pentecostal institution dedicated to equipping students for impactful Pentecostal ministry and spreading the Christian gospel. With a rich history dating back to 1924, Northpoint offers undergraduate and graduate programs in Biblical Studies and Practical Theology, fostering a transformative experience for individuals called to ministry.
Historical Overview
Northpoint Bible College's journey began in 1924 as the School of the Prophets, a volunteer-run institution founded by Rev. Christine Gibson in East Providence, Rhode Island. Over time, it was known as Mount Zion Bible School. Later, as Zion Bible Institute, it was closely associated with Zion Gospel Temple, originally a Holiness congregation founded in the late 19th century by Rev. Alphaeus Cleveland and subsequently pastored by Rev. Christine Gibson. The congregation later affiliated with the Pentecostal revival and continued as an independent Pentecostal church named Zion Gospel Temple.
In 1985, Zion Bible Institute relocated to the former campus of Barrington College in Barrington, Rhode Island, under the leadership of Dr. N. Benjamin Crandall, president from 1985 to 2000. The campus centerpiece was the former Peck Mansion, a historic site. Rev. George Cope succeeded Crandall as president, serving from 2000 to 2005.
A significant milestone occurred in 2000 when the college affiliated with the Assemblies of God USA. In 2007, David Green, CEO and founder of Hobby Lobby, acquired the former Bradford College campus in Haverhill, Massachusetts. This acquisition paved the way for Northpoint's relocation to its current location. In 2012, the Rev. Dr. J. David Arnett was elected as the eighth president.
Campus and Facilities
Northpoint Bible College is located on an 18-acre residential campus in the Bradford area of Haverhill, Massachusetts. This location is just 45 minutes outside of Boston, offering a blend of urban diversity and New England heritage. The campus boasts a rich history, having previously served as Bradford College, a private, non-profit, co-educational high school that opened in 1803 and later became a college for young women in 1836. Bradford College closed in 2000. Northpoint purchased the campus in 2008, gaining ample educational, administrative, and residential space.
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Key buildings on the campus include:
- Academy Hall: This 119,768 square foot building houses administrative offices, conference rooms, and dining facilities.
- Hasseltine Hall: The primary classroom building, featuring fifteen classrooms, faculty offices, and student lounges, as well as a biology laboratory.
- Educational and Fine Arts Center: This 15,407 square foot building houses the library with a 60,000 volume capacity, reading and study areas, the Zion/Northpoint Bible College Archives, study corrals, four additional classrooms, a number of faculty offices, and a visual arts studio. It also houses the Center for Academic Development, a computer lab, and a faculty conference room.
- Marie Green Prayer Chapel: A 1,951 square foot sanctuary with a meeting room for approximately seventy-five people and a conference room.
- Dormitories: Gallagher Hall for men and Gibson Hall for women can accommodate approximately 300 students. Some married students reside on the upper floors of Academy Hall. The dormitories were renovated in 2000.
- Student Activity Center: A space for students to relax and socialize. It offers activities such as ping pong, pool, an arcade game, air hockey and more!
- Gymnasium Building: Houses a Fitness Center and a Gym for sports and social activities.
The campus is fully fiber-optic and network equipped.
Academics and Accreditation
Northpoint Bible College offers Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Arts, and Master of Arts degrees. The college is accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) and is approved by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education and the Michigan Department of Higher Education.
The college's academic focus is centered on Biblical Studies and Practical Theology, with the goal of preparing students for various ministry roles. Northpoint Bible College is known for one of its top majors: Bible/Biblical Studies.
Admission to Northpoint Bible College requires a $25 application fee. For freshmen, admission requirements include a written essay or personal statement and high school transcripts. SAT/ACT scores are neither required nor recommended.
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Student Life
Chapel services are held Monday through Thursday and are mandatory for all full-time students. Unmarried students without an established residence in the area are required to live on campus.
Northpoint emphasizes community and spiritual development. The college places a high priority on the Spirit’s calling and equipping leaders for ministry. It honors its heritage of affirming relationship and diversity as foundations for its community.
Satellite Campuses and Resources
Northpoint Bible College has satellite distance-education campuses in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Crestwood, Kentucky, Texarkana, Arkansas, and Los Angeles, California.
Students in Grand Rapids benefit from the presence of major Christian publishing companies such as Baker Books, which offers discounts to Northpoint students. Students may also take advantage of online services such as Christian Book Distributors and Amazon.
Transfer Credits
Students wishing to transfer credits to Northpoint should request official transcripts from all previously attended colleges. Only courses with a grade of C or better from CHEA accredited institutions will be considered. The Office of the Registrar evaluates transcripts to determine the number of transferable credits applicable to the student's program. Students must complete their last thirty (30) hours of credits through Northpoint in order to graduate.
Read also: Navigating Accreditation
Core Values
Northpoint Bible College is committed to:
- The Bible as the absolute standard for life, study, service, instruction, and ministry.
- Prioritizing the Spirit’s calling and equipping leaders for ministry.
- Honoring its rich heritage of affirming relationship and diversity as foundations for its community.
- Offering a transformation experience that God uses for ministry preparation.
- Teaching, training, and helping shape the whole person towards a healthy life and faithful ministry.
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