Bible College's first graduates earn degrees

Nevada Herald

The first two graduates from the Faith Bible College extension campus in the Maranatha Christian Fellowship building have received degrees in a commencement ceremony in Kansas City, Kan. Glen Christie and Brooke Highlander both received doctorates -- Christie in Christian counseling and Highlander in scriptural psychology.

"We're really proud of the hard work of all of our students," Steve Highlander, spokesman for the Nevada extension said. "And we are very pleased to be able to offer continuing education in various areas of Christian studies. Prior to our association with FBC, someone from the area would have to drive to Joplin or Kansas City to get what we are now offering."

The extension started in the fall of 2003 with three teachers and 12 students the extension expanded to six teachers and 24 students for the Winter-Spring semester.

According to Highlander, who is on the faculty and the local board of directors, the school is non-denominational in scope.

"It is not just a Maranatha project," Highlander said. "We've been fortunate to pick up some gifted teachers from the area. Two of the pastors from Maranatha Christian Fellowship, Mike Hutchens and Robert Fox, taught this past semester."

The Nevada extension is also expanding to include an outreach in Rockville, Mo. "We'll be offering classes in Nevada on Tuesday evenings and in Rockville on Monday evenings," Highlander said.

The fall semester starts in mid September and runs through the second week of December. The class schedule is still being finalized.

More information about the local extension, class fees and a complete class schedule, may be obtained online at www.mcfnevada.org or www.rockvillechurch.org.

Dr. Zalmer Nichols founded Faith Bible College in Kansas City seven years ago. Several years ago they bought the former Vatterott College building in Independence, and moved the main campus to that location. Currently FBC has nine extensions in Missouri and Kansas, and several international campuses, with a dozen or so more extensions in the works.

Nearly 2,000 students have taken classes through FBC in the past seven years. 108 graduated in May 2003.

Graduates received everything from high school diplomas and Christian Workers Certificates to master's and doctorate degrees. Thirty-eight undergraduate degrees were awarded with approximately the same number of graduate degrees conferred.

"We anticipate enrolling 400 to 500 students for the fall semester between our main campus and the extensions," Nichols said.

The college is accredited through IAC, which is the largest accrediting agency for Christian Colleges and Universities in the country. International accreditation is provided through association with Visions International and the American Mission Team.

FBC is also associated with Oral Roberts University through their Educational Fellowship Program.

The main FBC campus is a Certified Learning Center for the American Society of Christian Therapists. Accredited, but non-traditional degrees up to and including doctorates in 12 areas of Christian study including Theology, Christian Counseling, Missions and Christian Business Administration are available.

More information on FBC and what the school has to offer can be obtained from the organization's Web site at www.faithcollege.org.

"Part of our vision is to make affordable Bible-based education available to anyone who wants to continue their education, become a more effective Christian worker or simply grow spiritually," Nichols said. "Our classes run about $40 per credit hour."

According to Highlander students do not have to be working on a degree to take classes at FBC. "Many of our students simply enjoy the opportunities for advanced personal learning," he said. There are some limited opportunities for students who want to audit a class without receiving credit.

Anyone interested in taking classes or more information can call Robert Fox at (417) 667-9760 or Steve Highlander at (417) 684-1108.