Founded in 1957, Central Christian College of the Bible in Moberly, Missouri is an accredited (Association for Biblical Higher Education) four-year college supported by Christian churches and churches of Christ to prepare leaders with biblical instruction and practical training for service around the world. Central enrolls several hundred students, providing full-tuition scholarships, which allows students the opportunity to train free of educational debt. Central's stated mission is to develop servant-leaders for the church. The focus is not only quality education, but also practical ministry. They offer Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in the following: Christian Education, Christian Counselors, Pastoral Ministry, Youth and Family Ministry, Religious Studies, General Ministry and Cross-Cultural Ministry. As of 2008, certain programs that were either currently offered as four-year degrees or not originally offered were made into optional certificate programs that students could choose to take. Among these included the former four-year Music Ministry degree, and a new addition of Children's Ministry.
The founding board of directors, meeting in February 1957, was led by chairman O.S. Lincoln in unanimously declaring and affirming that "the purpose of the school is to recruit and train leadership for the church at large according to the New Testament teaching." Central remains exclusively committed to pursuing this purpose.
From 1957 to 1968, the college’s campus was located east of downtown Moberly on Ault Street. In 1968 the college moved to its present campus in southeastern Moberly.
Over these years, the college has grown in its facilities, its resources, and its family of alumni. Graduates of Central Christian College of the Bible are serving across the nation and around the world.
The college began serving students with online courses in 2007; they are taught by instructors from Central and other brotherhood Bible colleges. The College currently offers eighteen online courses between their faculty and the offerings of other participating colleges. The college is working to develop additional future offerings.
Mission
"Central Christian College of the Bible exists to develop servant-leaders for the church." As a traditional undergraduate Bible college, Central equips men and women for leadership in the Kingdom of God both nationally and internationally.
Central provides both Associate's and Bachelor's degrees that equip students with a Bible-centered higher educational foundation within the context of a Christian worldview, and help students become productive, contributing members of their communities.
Affiliated with the Restoration Movement, Central seeks to graduate faithful servant-leaders distinguished by authentic Christian character, who have the ability to communicate the Gospel effectively and become disciple-makers worldwide. This mission obeys the Biblical mandates of 2 Timothy 2:2, "Pass on what you heard from me…to reliable leaders who are competent to teach others" [The Message] and Matthew 28:19, "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations... " [NASB]
Faculty
The faculty includes many published scholars, including Chancellor Lloyd Pelfrey, M.A.; President David B. Fincher, Ph.D.; Richard Koffarnus, M.Div.; Gareth L. Reese, M.Div.; and Daniel D. Schantz, M.A.
On October 19, 2010, an announcement was made that on October 1, 2010, the Board of Directors unanimously decided to ask four faculty members to transition into retirement via part-time teaching with a reduced course load. This would take effect July 1, 2011, and was asked of Gareth Reese, Daniel Schantz, Lloyd Pelfrey, and William Walton. The purpose was to maintain financial accountability in light of the economy and low enrollment numbers.
The Campus
Central's campus is located on 40 acres (16.2 ha) in the southeastern part of Moberly. Moberly High School and Zion Lutheran Church are adjacent to the College’s campus. Timber Lake Christian Church and the YMCA are within walking distance. Privately owned affordable housing is available nearby for married students. To find the campus, take US Highway 63 to Moberly and exit at Route M/Urbandale Drive. Follow the signs west one-mile (1.6 km) and the campus is on the right side of the street.
Central's campus features seven buildings and two outdoor athletic fields. Pelfrey Hall contains the cafeteria, gymnasium, offices, classrooms and conference room. Reese Resource Center, completed in 2001, contains the library and bookstore. Lang Hall is the men’s dormitory and Spurling Hall is the women’s dormitory. North of Pelfrey Hall is the maintenance facility. Foundation Hall, which opened for residents for the Fall 2004 semester, houses men and women on separate floors. The newest facility, the Walton Student Center, contains The Harvest House (a coffee house), a computer hub, lounging areas around TVs, a workout room, a prayer room, and a collaboratory room.
Athletics
The CCCB Saints hold dual affiliation with both the Association of Christian College Athletics (ACCA) and the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA). The Men's Soccer team placed 2nd in the 2007 ACCA National Tournament, and won the 2008 ACCA National Tournament. The team placed 8th in the NCCAA Division II National Championships. Central also offers women's volleyball and both men's and women's basketball. The women's basketball program placed third in the Midwest Christian College Conference in 2006.
In the 2008-2009 season, the Central Christian College Saints men's basketball set a school record for most wins in a season with a record of 20 wins. They placed 2nd in the 2009 ACCA national tournament, while finishing the season with a 20-14 record.
In the 2014-2015 season, the Central Christian College Saints women's basketball took second at nationals.
CCCB offers Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, Women's Volleyball, Men's Soccer, and Men and Women's Cross-Country.
The Community
Moberly, Missouri is located approximately 30 miles (48Â km) north of Columbia, Missouri. According to the 2010 census bureau, the population of Moberly was 13,974. The city was incorporated in 1868. The Moberly Micropolitan Statistical Area consists of Randolph County. Moberly offers excellent medical and other professional services. As Moberly and Columbia are each towns that host several colleges, there are numerous services catering to that demographic in both locations.
Alumni Association
In May 2007, Central Christian College organized an Alumni Association. The official purpose is to be "an advisory council to the CCCB President that provides a voice for graduates and former students in the ongoing development & growth of Central Christian College of the Bible. The Alumni Association also serves as a fellowship association that connects graduates and former students together to develop a strong sense of fellowship and pride in the College. One of the main projects that the Alumni Association has is the annual "Alumni Homecoming."
References
External links
- Official Site
- Official Athletics Site