DATE UNKNOWN
CONCEPTION
We cannot say when the vision of a dedicated school of ministry was conceived in the heart of Bishop Dunn but we do know, thank God, that BIBS (formerly Bethel Institute of Biblical Studies) was birthed.
1994
Inception
Our Presiding Bishop, appointed Bishop Martin Howard Simmonds as the first Principal of the Bible College based at the Bethel Convention Centre, Kelvin Way.
1994
Sept 1994
The Birth
This Bethel ministry opened its doors for the first time on a Friday evening in September 1994, with teachers from across the country!
1999
The Prophecy
During our Graduation Ceremony in 1999 the prophecy went forth to “lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes”. Since then BIBS has gone from strength to strength. Under the leadership of Dr. Taylor, our current Dean (2000-2018), we have seen phenomenal growth.
1999
2000
The Passing of the Baton
Bishop Simmonds passed the baton to Dr. Taylor in 2000, he continued to teach at BIBS and travelled with us on several student tours to Bible lands. Thank you for giving your all, to further the kingdom of God.
2001-2006
New Courses Introduced
As directed by the Lord, our Dean added the Foundation, Degree to the list of course offerings
2001-2006
2008
BIBS Awards its First PhD
We continued to grow as an academic institute; working with Parkersburg Bible College (USA) and NOCN (UK) and in 2008 we received accreditation for our courses. In October of 2008 over 40 students graduated from BIBS with recognised certificates as evidence of their achievements.
In that very same graduation BIBS under the umbrella of Parkersburg Bible College awarded our first earned PhD. It was a day to remember, our late presiding Bishop Sydney Alexander Dunn received his Doctorate during the graduation ceremony.
2009
New Premises
In 2009 BIBS moved from the Bethel Convention Centre to the front building on the same site. Extensive work was undertaken to improve the school’s premises, for which we are grateful to God for the support and resources received.
2009
2010
Short Courses
As directed by the Lord, our Dean added Short Courses to the list of courses. The Short Courses were designed to edify and fortify Christians in subjects that are relevant for the times we are living in.
2011
Recognised OCN Centre
In 2011 BIBS became a ‘Recognised Centre’ to deliver OCN Qualifications
2011
2012
Graduation 2012
In our Graduation Ceremony (2012), our hearts were once again filled with joy when Bishop Martin Simmonds and our Dean of Studies, Dr. Mavis Taylor were also awarded an earned PhD’s in Biblical Theology, Christian Education, Counselling, Administration and Philosophy. Some of our teachers were also awarded a Bachelor’s Degree in Biblical Theology; this strengthened the academic base of BIBS. 2016
Graduation 2016
In our Graduation Ceremony (2016), BIBS awarded it’s first Bachelors Degree in Biblical Theology to Dean Wright, who had completed 16 units over four years i.e. 420 hours in the classroom, and a minimum of 15 additional hours each week searching the Scriptures and completing assignments. In that same Graduation Ceremony Elder Nicholas Myers (teacher) was awarded a Bachelors Degree in Theology, unbeknown to him and the congregation.
2016
We thank God that as a ministry of Bethel, the Bible School has fulfilled its mandate and will continue to do so by the grace of God.
