Mission University — Local services in Springfield

My wife and I have ambivalent memories about attending and graduating from BBC back in the early '90s. I enjoyed the challenges of learning theology from Mr. Pratt and Dr. Dell, as well as history from Ray Adams and Eli Harju. I really didn't care much for Dr. Dowell, Jr.. He seemed pretentious to me. Then there was Richard Bemarkt (sp?) and Dr. Sherman, who really opened my eyes when it came to Bible versions, especially when considering the biblical languages. I no longer exclusively use the KJV, even though from time to time I'll reference it in whatever studies I might be doing.

Life on campus was, eh, okay. Shirt and tie to class was something I had to get used to. That said, I remember my wife wearing her nurse's slacks to work one day and me getting called into the office for that. Back then the women were not allowed to wear pants, even though after that episode, it was understood by BBC that that stricture cannot always apply in all situations at all times. It is my understanding that BBC has now gone way off the deep end when it comes to dress requirements and now pretty much allows anything to be worn, which I don't think is wise, if it is true.

One other thing I've noticed recently about BBC is how expensive it is to attend. Six hundred dollars a credit hour for bachelor's work!? What happened? Did the churches quit supporting the school? Back when I attended, it was $55/credit hour, mainly because the churches were committed to supporting the product it was turning out and helped to subsidize the student cost. I guess BBC officials found it more lucrative to go the way of the world in that respect. Oh, and I see that student housing fees have skyrocketed through the roof too. Since my wife and I lived in C and then B dorms, our rent was like $150/month. But now it's around $800+/mo., which means that if we wanted to attend today, the cost itself, between tuition, rent, and some ridiculous fees that are being charged would make it prohibitive. Frankly, I don't think Jesus Christ himself would approve.

A few years ago I spoke and emailed back and forth with a BBC official about possibly teaching at the school. But, the more I thought about it, the more it just did not seem like a good idea. Since graduating from BBC I've gone on to earn an MA in Christian Apologetics, the MDiv and ThM in New Testament, and a PhD in Theology, all from accredited schools, both in the US and abroad. So, I would be more than qualified to teach whatever courses BBC had in its curriculum. The main sticking-point, though, would be theological inconsistency in what I've read in the BBC Statement about what it claims to believe. Therefore, it would not be long before I would be pointing out things like "free will" when it comes to salvation and how it does not jive with God's sovereignty, OR, how the whole Rapture doctrine cannot be defended, once the Scriptures are consistently exegeted using a sound grammatical-historical hermeneutic. So, all discussions and email exchanges simply ended by my choice.

BBC was an interesting time during our life's journey, but given what I know now that I did not know then, I could not repeat it. I will not go so far as to call it a "cult," like some have, because that is sheer ignorance, not knowing what a theological cult is, much less what the Scriptures teach about "wolves in sheep's clothing." I will simply say there were some good and bad things that happened, just like there are in pretty much all situations and walks in life, and if the Lord is leading you there, good for you. Make the best of your time, be wise with what little money you'll have while attending, and think critically about what you're going to be taught. Because once you leave, and if you're discerning, as you should be, you will learn that your education has...

I’ve attended BBC off and on for a few years now, both in-person and online. I recommend them for anyone considering ministry within the Baptist Church. Their emphasis on biblically based doctrine is something you don’t get at a lot of modern Christian schools. The Professors there actually care about each student, and go out of their way to help them succeed. The admin and student life departments are the same way. I know a lot of students who have come and gone, and many have gone on to have successful, God honoring ministries that reflect what they learned at BBC. The school has come a long way in recent years, developing championship level sports teams, remodeling and updating facilities, and ministering to students in churches across the country through camps and worship teams. Like any college, if you aren’t committed, you won’t succeed here, but if you’re looking for a community that’s Christ-centered, wants to see you succeed in your calling, and will help you grow, this is the...

When I attended BBC it was still on the Old Paths. I loved my time at BBC back then. I met my Husband there and have been serving with him in the Ministry for 30 years. Now I see girls wearing ripped jeans and short shorts. They do praise and worship sessions that look like a rock concert. I wish they had not changed. My children went to different Bible Colleges that still are on the Old Path. I believe in a Biblical View from the King James Bible, I believe that Women should dress modestly and look like a Lady. The Old Path is...