An Abridged History

In 1958, concern for improving and/or expanding a better education program for ministers was voiced in various preacher circles. It appeared that a Bible institute for independent Baptists in southern Oklahoma would be phasing out its work. Consideration was being given to the choice of another Bible institute, Bible college, or seminary. A new institute resulted with expanded educational offerings.

The clear objective was to sustain a school of Bible training at the college level in the southwestern area of the United States for independent Baptists. Interested pastors called upon the Trinity Temple Baptist Church to weigh the request of being the institutional sponsor for a new Bible School.

In March, 1964, the church acted to make immediate plans to open a three-year Bible institute for ministerial students desiring basic preparations for the pastorate and mission fields. Six teachers were secured, curriculum devised, promotions engaged, students recruited, and temporary facilities prepared for opening a day school in September, 1964. The Independent Baptist School of the Bible was in operation with about 25 students. Soon, application was made to the Texas State Secretary for a charter which was granted in a short time. Later, the school was incorporated and appropriate documents were filed with state officers.

A smooth transition was experienced when the orthodox Baptist Institute of Ardmore, Oklahoma, was closed in May of 1964, commensurate to the planning and opening of the "new school in Dallas!" OBI loaned IBSB their small library, Christians gracefully assisting cooperatively to insure the success of the Independent Baptist School of the Bible.

The sponsor of the new school, Trinity Temple Baptist Church, made it known from the outset that she did not have the resources to finance the school alone. Thus, a great opportunity arose for the practice of "inter-dependence" among Baptists on behalf of a project for higher education for ministers and church-related workers. The sponsoring church set the pace and example of property investments in 1967 with the purchase of eleven acres of land six miles west of IBSB's original location. A beautiful new edifice was planned with experienced church-building architects. The new facilities were occupied in January, 1969. A multi-purpose building and two dormitories were later erected between 1977 and 1979.

In September 1968, the school held a seminar for ministers and laymen. In an afternoon session it was strongly suggested that the faculty, trustees, and church give consideration to developing a four-year Bible college program. The following school year, 1969-70, was the beginning of the programs of Biblical education in a renamed school known as the Independent Baptist College.

From the start this school was structured in a very conservative theological context. The basic distinctive features were that the college:

1. Be definitely free and independent of any ecclesiastical ties except to one sponsoring church.
2. Give great emphasis to "church truth."
3. Be premillennial in its prophetic outlook.
4. Generate missionary interest.
5. Rely upon the Lord through cooperating pastors and churches to underwrite the school's annual budget and to send students.
6. Be evangelistic in its appeal.

In July 1997, the Trinity Temple Baptist Church voted to allow the Spring Valley Baptist Church to assume control of the college. In August, the offices were moved to Fort Worth and the Independent Baptist College continued in its thirty-fourth year of school.

During the history of IBC, six presidents have directed the college with a duly-elected board of trustees. They have adhered to the published Statement of Faith and objectives very faithfully. Over 1,100 students have matriculated in IBC. Approximately 200 students have graduated. The majority of these who attended are faithfully serving our Lord in His churches or mission fields around the world.

The Independent Baptist College has operated for over forty years. The college continues its commitment to high standards without yielding its convictions or compromising its doctrinal position.

The future of the Independent Baptist College offers a marvelous challenge. The school, by faith, depends upon the Lord through local New Testament Baptist churches to supply students, faculty, funds, and facilities to accomplish God's will in "publishing" the Gospel to the world through a church-trained ministry!