South Florida Bible College & Theological Seminary: A Beacon of Biblical Truth and Academic Excellence

Introduction

South Florida Bible College & Theological Seminary (SFBC&TS), situated in Deerfield Beach, Florida, stands as a private Christian institution committed to biblical truth and academic excellence. Founded in 1985, SFBC&TS has been a beacon for those seeking a faith-based education that integrates rigorous academics with a deep, Spirit-led faith. The college offers a diverse range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs, both online and on-campus.

History and Founding

South Florida Bible College & Theological Seminary was established in 1985 by Joseph Guadagnino, who was then the pastor of Christian Love Fellowship in Deerfield Beach. Bob Boutwell served as chairman of the board from the college's inception until 2016. Guadagnino served as the president of the college until 2016 and he presided over the institution when it received its initial accreditation in 2012. He is now Chancellor. Over the years, SFBC&TS has grown, adapting to the changing needs of its students and the evolving landscape of higher education.

Leadership and Administration

Joseph Guadagnino

As the founder and first president, Joseph Guadagnino played a pivotal role in shaping the college's mission and values. His leadership was instrumental in obtaining initial accreditation for the institution in 2012 and he was a pastor for over 25 years.

Dr. Mary Drabik

Dr. Mary Drabik has been an integral part of South Florida Bible College & Theological Seminary since 1989. She initially served as the Dean of Admissions and was later promoted to President in 2016. Dr. Drabik's extensive experience in various aspects of higher education has been invaluable to the institution's growth and development. She has been the driving force for the college and seminary’s public relations programs. She has been involved with the Deerfield Beach Chamber of Commerce and served as a member of the Education Committee from 1996 to 2002. Mary also served as the Chairwoman for Congressman Col. Allen West’s Faith Based Coalition for both the 2008 and 2010 campaigns and has been a committee member with the Christians in Action Trade Show, holding the position of Seminar Coordinator in 2004. She has appeared on numerous television programs with the Trinity Broadcasting Network and also served as a host on SFBC&TS’ television program, Illuminations in the Word.

During her tenure, Mary has implemented a number of significant programs and activities. In 2017, under her direction, the college moved to a 50,000 square foot facility to provide for the continual growth and thriving student body. Mary and her husband also currently serve as charter members of the SFBC&TS Light Bearers Alumni Association, which Mary founded. Mary holds B.A., and M.A degrees, and a M.B.A. degree, which was awarded by Whitefield Theological Seminary in 2005. She has also received an Honorary Doctorate of Christian Education from The Cohen University in May 2008. Mary and her husband are members of Church of All Nations in Boca Raton, Florida.

Read also: Applying to USF Doctoral Programs

Bob Boutwell

Bob Boutwell served as chairman of the board from 1985 until 2016, providing guidance and support to the college's leadership.

Academic Programs

South Florida Bible College & Theological Seminary offers a range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees, available both online and on campus. As of August 2019, the college offered over 20 total programs. These programs are designed to equip students with a solid foundation in biblical studies and theology, as well as practical skills for ministry and professional life.

SFBC offers four theologically-based bachelor’s degree programs in fields such as Biblical Studies and Christian Business Management. The college’s Business, Ministry, and Counseling programs feature Christian Field Experiences that include internships or practicums in each student’s field of study.

Accreditation and Recognition

SFBC was founded in 1985 and received The Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) accreditation in 2013, which was most recently reaffirmed in 2018. In addition, ABHE is an officially recognized “faith-based” accrediting agency by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and is a part of a global network that relates to regional or continental higher educational agencies through the International Council for Evangelical Theological Education. Department of Education. The counseling program, is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to offer Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists. SFBC is listed as a Certified Vocational Rehabilitation Vendor (that is, approved to provide educational and training services) under the authority of the Florida Department of Education. SFBC is licensed by the State of Florida's Commission for Independent Education, Florida Department of Education.

Campus and Facilities

In 2017, under the direction of Dr. Mary Drabik, the college moved to a 50,000 square foot facility to accommodate its growing student body. This new facility provides a modern and conducive learning environment for students pursuing their academic and spiritual goals.

Read also: Supporting South High Students

Dual Enrollment Program

For local homeschooled students, SFBC’s Dual Enrollment for Homeschool Students program features the opportunity to earn college credit with free tuition. Dual enrollment allows high school students to take college-level courses taught by credentialed professors. College Academy courses are taught at a college level by experienced, credentialed, Christian instructors. Dual-enrolled students may complete one of our five A.A. Credits from College Academy at SFBC generally transfer to Florida state colleges and universities and national private institutions that accept national accreditation, though final acceptance depends on each college’s policies. Transferability always depends on the policies of the receiving institution.

Tuition, Cost & Aid

The tuition for both in-state and out-of-state students is $7,740. The average net price is $15,220.

Financial Aid

A significant percentage of undergraduate students at SFBC receive financial aid in the form of federal grants and loans. This support helps make Christian education accessible to a wider range of students.

Campus Life

SFBC&TS is home to a diverse and vibrant community of students and faculty representing various nations, denominations, and backgrounds. The college embraces local and global opportunities to express tangible care for the marginalized, poor, and vulnerable from a biblical perspective. SFBC&TS values the energy and insights from its diverse faculty, staff, and student body. Classrooms consist of students from diverse ethnicities, vocational goals, denominational traditions, backgrounds, and experiences. This provides endless opportunities to learn from each other, learn about ourselves, and foster real kingdom practices.

Statement of Faith

SFBC&TS believes it is essential to have doctrinal statements of faith that set forth the general principles of this institution and its theological understandings of Scripture. Applicants, students, and graduates are expected to be in agreement with SFBC&TS’ statement of faith. SFBC&TS is interdenominational in character and maintains a conservative, evangelical position.

The college's statement of faith includes the following key beliefs:

The Bible reveals the mind of Christ and is the inspired, infallible, inerrant, and authoritative Word of God.
Belief in the Triune God who is one in substance and three in person - the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Belief in the reality of Satan and his present control over unregenerate man.
Belief in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, His sinless life, His miracles, His vicarious and atoning death through His blood, His bodily resurrection, His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and His prophesied return enacted by the power and glory of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Belief in the fall of man and his lost estate, which makes necessary a rebirth through confession of sin and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Belief in the reconciliation of man to God by the substitutionary death and bloodshed of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Belief in the resurrection of believers unto everlasting life and the resurrection of unbelievers unto everlasting punishment.
Belief in the ever-present ministry of the Holy Spirit.
Belief in the Ex-Nihilo creation of the universe.
God has conferred equal value on men and women and therefore seeks to equip men and women for their ministry in Jesus’ Great Commission in our rapidly changing and challenging mission field.
The sanctity of marriage is God-ordained, a special, exclusive lifelong union between one biological born male, remaining male and one biological born female, remaining female, within which sexual relations are honored and affirmed by God.

Mission and Values

South Florida Bible College & Theological Seminary believes in pursuing the unreachable and chasing an image of a God-breathed community that is working towards the mission of God in their everyday lives. The hope for students is that, through their time at SFBC&TS, their lives will become transformed in Christ, that they will have their minds further constructed with His truth and their characters formed according to His virtues, and that their hearts will courageously carry His mission. As a community, they seek to know the compassion and care of our God, our Creator, the Triune God, and aim to value what God values. God’s kingdom touches the whole person, and care for social justice issues is a natural outflow of knowing God.

As an institution of higher learning, SFBC&TS believes that a rigorous academic standard and engagement in scholarship are expressions of good stewardship to God and are vital to the wellbeing of the church and mission of God. They believe God is already at work, renewing humanity and creation, and it is their desire to join in His mission. They expect their students to incarnationally mediate God’s mission as they encounter and influence culture locally and globally with the holistic gospel.

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