Historical SketchCelebrating 40 years of Truth, Training and Transformation!The College of Biblical Studies–Houston (CBS), formerly Houston Bible Institute (HBI), began as a burden in the heart of the late Rev. Ernest L. Mays, the founder of HBI. He sensed that large segments of the local Christian community were functioning without trained leaders. This was especially true within the inner-city minority groups. Out of this concern, Houston Bible & Vocational Institute was incorporated in 1976. Mr. William Thomas, Jr. and Rev. Joe Wall assisted in the development of a multi-racial, interdenominational board, which began working to make the school a reality. Within a short time, a decision was made to focus on biblical and theological training because they felt that there were already adequate resources for vocational training in the area.In the fall of 1979, the first classes of Houston Bible Institute were offered. Rev. Rodney L. Cooper was the school’s first Executive Director. From its inception, the school used the facilities of KHCB-FM, a Houston-based Christian radio network, for its classrooms, and leased administrative space nearby.In 1983, Rev. Rod Cooper resigned to pursue a Ph.D., and the Board promoted Rev. Jack Arrington, then Vice President, to President. President Arrington continued the difficult task of building the foundation and establishing credibility in the minority community. In 1991, God called Rev. Arrington to the pastorate and Dr. William Boyd to fill his vacancy. Dr. Boyd began the process of building the superstructure on the vision of Mays and the foundation of Cooper and Arrington. He implemented a scholarship program that resulted in significant growth of the College.Under Dr. Boyd’s leadership, in 1996 the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board certified the school as a college and the name was changed from Houston Bible Institute to College of Biblical Studies–Houston. In 1999, CBS achieved national accreditation through the Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges (now the Association for Biblical Higher Education). In July 2007, God called Dr. Jay A. Quine to the presidency and Dr. Boyd became the Chancellor. Dr. Quine provided leadership for the creation of the 2008-2013 Strategic Plan that focuses on the addition of a traditional bachelor’s program, a Center for Continuing Studies, and pursuit of regional accreditation.In June 2012, the College of Biblical Studies-Houston was granted Candidacy status for accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award Certificates and Associate and Baccalaureate degrees.In July 2012, God called Dr. William Blocker to the presidency to provide leadership to the College in the pursuit of becoming the premier Bible college in Texas, and furthering its impact on families, churches and communities.CBS initially offered classes at the KHCB radio facilities located off the Southwest Freeway at Kirby. In 1994, a 2-acre campus (18,000 sq. ft. in three buildings) located near Hillcroft and the Southwest Freeway was purchased. The campus has continued to expand to meet the demands of a growing student body and today the 14-acre campus facility includes 165,000 sq. ft. in five buildings with 3.5 acres yet undeveloped. During its 30 years of history, CBS has grown in its academic curriculum from offering a few credit and non-credit courses to today’s offerings of a Bible Certificate in English or Spanish language, an Associate of Biblical Studies degree in English and Spanish, and Bachelor of Science degree programs with majors in Biblical Studies, Biblical Counseling, Organizational Leadership and Christian Leadership. VISIONBy 2020, the College of Biblical Studies-Houston will become the premier Bible college in Texas focused on transforming a diverse student body to serve Christ and impact families, churches and communities, to the glory of God.MISSION AND PURPOSEMission IntroductionThe College was developed to provide college-level training in Bible and theology for those individuals who had little or no opportunity to receive such training by conventional means (resident, full-time). As a commuter college, this training is accomplished in a unique way through our key distinctives:Biblical – curriculum is based on a biblical world view, founded on scriptural truth, with its focus on ministry preparation and life transformation.Diverse – student’s study and experience the education process with fellow students from a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds.Accessible – courses offered on campus are available during the day, evening and Saturdays, and through alternative schedules to provide students an opportunity to fit their studies into their life schedules. Online courses provide needed flexibility or the adult learner.Affordable – the cost of attendance is intentionally lower than other accredited private institutions and financial aid is available to assist students in meeting the financial requirements of their studies.Mission StatementThe College of Biblical Studies–Houston provides biblically based education for the Body of Christ, with primary focus on African-American and other ethnic minority groups, and equips its students with a biblical worldview for Christian service to the church and the world.Implementation of MissionTo fulfill its Mission, the College of Biblical Studies–Houston:Provides educational opportunities to prepare men and women for Christian vocation, leadership and ministry.Provides resources, services and an environment that encourages learning.Recruits students from the general Christian population with primary focus on African-American and other ethnic minority groups. Serves as a leadership development and resource center for churches and the Christian community-at-large.Serves as a Christian influence in the greater Houston area and beyond through educational, cultural and spiritual activities.Institutional GoalsThrough the College’s curricular and co-curricular experiences, CBS students demonstrate:Biblical and theological knowledge, recognizing Scripture as the ultimate authority for life and godliness. Skills that reflect critical-thinking and problem solving ability.Attitudes and values indicative of an integrated biblical worldview.Sensitivity to various cultural viewpoints.Skills of effective communication.Skills for Christian ministry.STATEMENT OF INSTITUTIONAL PHILOSOPHY OF STUDENT DEVELOPMENTCBS is committed to the truth that the Bible is central to the Christian life and that Christians are called to love and glorify God by living a holy life of testimony and service in the power of the Holy Spirit. The educational goal of CBS is “love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith” (I Tim. 1:5). CBS combines programs in both theological and general education so that students can recognize and interact with biblical and non-biblical worldviews. Students are educated in disciplines that help them know and articulate Scripture, preparing them for personal ministry for the equipping of the saints for ministry in order to build up the local and universal body of Christ (Eph. 4:12).From this basic philosophy flow two essential objectives; personal growth and communal ministry. In accord with the life, education and ministry goals of each student, CBS encourages students to continue growing in the grace, awe, and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ in association with a local church. To accomplish this, CBS provides a variety of planned learning opportunities that culminate in a baccalaureate degree designed to assist students in demonstrating a godly lifestyle founded on Scriptural principles for Christian service to the church and the world. A student’s personal growth at CBS is contingent on developing Christian character along with academic competencies. Christian character is cultivated by biblical knowledge, proper interpretation of the Scriptures, prayer, repentance from sin, worship of God, application of biblical truth, and use of spiritual gifts through dependence on the Holy Spirit. Academic competencies encompass emotional, intellectual, and social disciplines that help students develop skills for problem solving, communicating, as well as building and sustaining interpersonal relationships. Communal ministry is the natural outflow of personal growth. The CBS educational program is designed to enable students to effectively serve the body of Christ and to instill a personal commitment for world evangelism and discipleship through the local church. Students are encouraged to engage in worship with other believers through CBS chapels and other events. Biblically-based professional courses in ministry skills equip students with the tools to be servant leaders, helping them to identify and answer societal issues through programmatic ministries. The Christian Service Learning Program requires students to apply the skills learned in the classroom through supervised ministry in local church, parachurch, and faith-based organizations. The College is committed to the centrality and sufficiency of Scripture in the Christian life so that the God of the Bible will be honored through the student’s life, worship, and service. Together with the faculty furnishing the substantive body of knowledge, all divisions of CBS converge to provide an ethnically diverse student-centered campus where personal growth and communal ministry are nurtured in order to present every believer complete in Christ (Col. 1:28) for the glory and honor of His name.DOCTRINAL STATEMENTThe doctrinal position of the College of Biblical Studies–Houston is historically that of conservative Christianity. CBS rests firmly upon the integrity and inerrancy of the Holy Scriptures and, therefore, wholeheartedly accepts the basic doctrines of the historic Protestant Christian faith. CBS also supports the non-charismatic, dispensational, pre-millennial movement. Traditionally, CBS graduates stand for these great truths, and it is the desire of the College to continue to provide personnel for service in these ranks. This Doctrinal Statement, which every board member, administrator, staff and faculty member must sign, also includes:Every word in the original writings of the Holy Scriptures is inspired of God and without error (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:21; 1 Cor. 2:13).The Godhead exists eternally in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one God (Gen. 1:1; Jn. 10:30, 4:24; Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14).Man was created in the image and likeness of God, but in Adam all mankind fell into sin with the result that all men are sinners, hopelessly sinful in themselves, apart from the grace of God (Gen. 1:27, 9:6; Rom. 5:12, 3:23; Eph. 2:1).The Eternal Son of God became incarnate in the Lord Jesus Christ, who is true God and true man, having been born of the virgin Mary (Jn. 1:1, 14, 18; Matt. 1:21 23; Heb. 1:6, 8; 1 Jn. 5:20; 1 Tim. 2:5).Salvation is received by faith alone in Christ, who died in substitutionary sacrifice for our sins and rose again (Acts 4:12; 13:38, 39; 1 Cor. 15:1 4; Rom. 4:4, 5; 5:1). Every true believer is promised positional and ultimate sanctification with the possibility of progressive development in life spiritually (progressive sanctification) (Heb. 10:10, 14; Jn. 17:17; Eph. 5:26, 27; 1 Thess. 4:3, 4; 1 Jn. 3:2).All who are born of the Spirit through faith in Christ can have the assurance of salvation and are eternally secure in Christ (Rom. 5:1; Jn. 3:5, 6; 1 Jn. 5:13; Jn. 10:28, 29; 17:12; 2 Tim. 1:12).The Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Godhead, who regenerates, indwells, baptizes, and seals all true believers in Christ and fills those yielded to God (Matt. 28:19; Jn. 1:13; 3:3 6; Titus 3:5; 1 Cor. 2:12; 6:19; Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 12:13; Eph. 4:30).The Church, embracing all true believers, is the body and bride of Christ, formed by the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:22, 23; 5:24, 25, 30; 1 Cor. 12:12, 13, 27).Christians are called to a holy life of service and testimony in the power of the Holy Spirit, which service includes the propagation of the Gospel message to the whole world. There is promised reward in heaven for faithfulness in such service (1 Pet. 1:15, 16; Jn. 12:25, 26; Acts 1:8; 1 Cor. 3:12 15).The scriptural ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper are for all true believers in Christ (Matt. 28:19, 20; Mk. 16:15, 16; Acts 8:12, 36 38; 9:18; 10:47; 1 Cor. 1:16; 11:23 26).Angels were originally created holy but now exist as unfallen and fallen including Satan (Col. 1:16; Neh. 9:6; Ps. 143:2 5; Jude 6; Matt. 25:41; Rev. 12:9; Eph. 6:11, 12).God has revealed different dispensations or stewardships with corresponding rules of life, of which the present dispensation is the age of grace (Eph. 3:2 6, 9 11; Col. 1:25 27; Rom. 6:14; Heb. 7:18, 19).The imminent return of the Lord, which is the blessed hope of the Church, is to be followed in order by: the tribulation; the establishment of the reign of Christ on earth for one thousand years; the eternal state of punishment for the unsaved and the eternal state of blessing for the saved (Titus 2:13; 1 Thess. 1:10; 4:13 18; 5:4 10; Rev. 3:10; Matt. 24:21, 29, 30; 25:31; Rev. 20:1 6, 11 15; Matt. 25:46).NON-DISCRIMINATORY POLICYThe College considers itself a Christian ministry within Houston’s multi-ethnic community. CBS does not discriminate against any qualified person on grounds of race, national origin, age, or because an otherwise qualified person is handicapped. This policy applies to all student admissions, academic policies, scholarships and other college-administered programs with noted exceptions.DENOMINATIONAL AFFILIATIONSThe College is not affiliated with any denomination. The College seeks to serve those individuals and churches of similar biblical faith and welcomes to its student body qualified persons who are in general agreement with the College’s doctrinal position.ACCREDITATIONThe College is accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE), to award certificate, associate, and baccalaureate degrees. Contact ABHE at 5850 T.T. Lee Blvd, Suite 130, Orlando, FL 32822 or call 407-207-0808. The ABHE address is provided to enable constituents to:learn about the institutions’ accreditation status, file a third-party comment, or file a complaint against the institution.The College of Biblical Studies-Houston is accredited with the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award certificate, associate, and baccalaureate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4501 for questions about the status of College of Biblical Studies. The SACSCOC address is provided to enable constituents to:learn about the institutions’ accreditation status, file a third-party comment, or file a complaint against the institution.Both accrediting bodies are recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), the United States Department of Education, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.Why is accreditation important? Whether a college, university, or program is accredited is important to students and the public for the following reasons: Students who want federal grants and/or loans must attend a college, university or program that is accredited. Employers ask if a college, university or program is accredited when deciding to provide tuition assistance to current employees, evaluating the credentials of new employees, or making a charitable contribution. The federal government requires that a college, university or program be accredited in order to be eligible for federal grants and loans or other federal funds that can ultimately have an impact on students and the public, e.g., research. State governments also require that a college, university or program be accredited for reasons such as making state funds available to institutions, when they allow students to sit for state licensure examinations in some professional fields, etc.Who are the accreditors? In the U.S., the accreditors are private, nongovernmental organizations created for the specific purpose of reviewing higher education institutions and programs for quality. To find a list of all recognized accreditors in the U.S., please go to the CHEA web site at www.chea.org and click on “Databases and Directories.” How do I learn more about accreditation? U. S. Department of Education: www.ed.gov Council for Higher Education Accreditation: www.chea.org Association for Biblical Higher Education: www.abhe.org Southern Association of College and Schools Commission on Colleges: www.sacscoc.org
