new-england-bible-college

History of New England Bible College

By Joe Felim

Founded in 1980. However, it has its roots in Glen Cove Bible College, founded in 1959. NEBC’s heritage includes many of their resources as well as the State of Maine’s legislative approval to continue Glen Cove’s former degree granting privileges. The Rev. Jack Christensen, then pastor of First Baptist Church of Portland, was appointed as the first president and classes began in January 1980. Dr. Christensen was appointed chancellor of the college in 2002.

NEBC was founded to serve Conservative Baptist churches, and others of similar doctrine, by partnering with them to equip their people for the Lord’s service. The College identified three areas of vocational specialization in which to work - pastoral studies, missions, and Christian education - along with offering preparation for advanced seminary studies.

In 1984 Edward Hales became the College’s second president. Also that year the College moved to larger facilities at First Baptist Church of South Portland where it has remained since. Dr. Carll Grathwohl became the third president in 1987, and the first to serve on a full-time basis. He concentrated on providing good pastoral training for the churches of Maine. In 1992 Dr. Grathwohl became the first chancellor of the college, a position which he held until his death in 1995.

Rev. William E. Inman was named the fourth president in 1992. Under his leadership NEBC began to offer BA and BS degrees in 1997, replacing the BRE program. The curriculum underwent revision and plans were laid for several new majors; the first, in Missions, was launched in 2001. Rev. Inman completed his ministry as president in 2002.

Dr. Andrew Alexson served as the fifth president in 2003, followed by the interim leadership of Dr. Christensen. NEBC’s sixth president, Rev. Richard Francis began his tenure in January 2007. Today the school averages from 50-60 students each semester under the instruction of three full-time and eleven part-time faculty. We rejoice in our rich heritage and press forward toward the shared goal of reaching the world for Christ.