Local educational institution the Carolina College of Biblical Studies will celebrate its upcoming 50th anniversary on September 10, 2023. Located at 817 S. McPherson Church Road, in Fayetteville, the community can expect ongoing celebrations throughout 2023 to commemorate its legacy. Dr. Bill Korver, President of CCBS, joined the college in 2004 and said his “19 years here have been so incredible!” Korver noted the 50th anniversary celebration is significant of God's faithfulness and assistance, giving the college the ability to remain active through the years.

The non-denominational school has educated over 7,000 students in its lifetime and was started by Dr. Bill Owens, former pastor at the Village Baptist Church in Fayetteville where he served from 1970 to 1979. Dr. Owens decided to open education non-denominationally rather than Baptist alone, providing a wider access to biblical education with the vision statement, “CCBS will become a premier institution of biblical higher education whose graduates launch and lead healthy ministries worldwide.”

Within the last four to five years, graduate degrees became available at CCBS as more people began to choose master’s degree programs within biblical education. Feeling that they were turning students away without additional advanced degrees available, CCBS created a master’s program to fill the void. Master’s degrees require 45 credit hours once previous education shows documentation and CCBS grants the candidate admission. 

One master’s program: “Master of Arts in Bible Translation” presents unique courses within biblical studies. Wycliffe Bible Translators, headquartered in Orlando, Florida, serves as translation partner to CCBS. The organization is named after John Wycliffe, a British theologian who earned his Doctor of Divinity degree from Oxford University in 1372. Wycliff holds distinction as the first person to translate the entire Old Testament and New Testament to English, completing his version of the Bible in 1384. 

Locally, CCBS retains an adjunct faculty pool with backgrounds in Greek, Hebrew, and related biblical studies subject matter. Within theological and linguistic studies perspectives, the Wycliffe and CCBS partnership meets needs of the master’s degree focus — specifically on theological and linguistic studies and translation. Dr. Korver explains some languages possess only an oral ability to communicate, where no written alphabet nor language exists. Currently, approximately sixteen to eighteen students internationally are pursuing Bible translation degrees. 

Dr. Korver declares the CCBS mission: “CCBS exists to disciple followers of Christ, through biblical higher education, for a lifetime of effective servant leadership.” Dr. Korver clarifies that to become a chaplain at Fort Bragg or anywhere requires 80 to 90 credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree. Doctoral work requires a Master of Divinity degree (one program also offered by CCBS) to pursue this additional education. 

When questioned on credit transfers from other schools into programs at CCBS, Dr. Korver responded, “If a student has, for example, six to nine hours of credit in any field from a community college such as FTCC, then potentially those credits can transfer to an associate degree program which requires 60 hours at CCBS.” Likewise, a bachelor’s at CCBS requires 120 hours.

Age is no issue when enrolling at CCBS, with over half the students being in their forties and fifties. Many are former military, who after 20 to 22 years of service, decided on something eternally fulfilling and chose to pursue a biblical studies degree. No statute of limitations exists on course transfer taken elsewhere.

Potential students who find themselves 15 to 25 years or more outside the higher education experience may experience slight learning curves for technological inclination development, but Korver said changes in classroom dynamics over time should never dissuade someone from degree pursuit. 

Full-time tuition costs $6,200 annually, and scholarships exist. CCBS is accredited through the free Federal Student Aid program and Pell Grants are available when students qualify and, according to Dr. Korver, covers most of the tuition for about half of the students. 

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, CCBS allowed in class (when allowed), or online attendance. Now, students continue to engage in seated in-person classes or online via Zoom. CCBS remains a commuter-based school with a majority of students living within commuting distance of Fayetteville. Roughly 200 total students attend through these options and between 40 to 50 students participate online from the eastern seaboard and from out west. Dr. Korver also said there are plans to expand.

“CCBS’s strategic plan over the next five years is to grow the college to 400 students and launch at least 50 graduates annually as we train the next generation to serve Jesus globally,” said Korver.

Dr. Korver noted most graduates remain local and serve as youth pastors, at food banks, and in prison ministries. Some choose to go abroad to third- world countries with their Bible translation certifications. Dr. Korver says a fair amount want missionary work. Dr. Korver believes God leads people with both he and CCBS using the slogan, “‘Your Calling. Our Mission.’ God calls people to a variety of ministries and vocations. Whatever he calls people to do, CCBS exists to help prepare them to fulfill that calling,” said Korver.

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Interested students can learn more about the Carolina College of Biblical Studies online at: www.ccbs.edu. or call the campus at 910-323-5614. You can also send an email: INFO@CBBS@ EDU for more information to inquire on degrees/courses and careers in biblical studies. Find joy and satisfaction serving God and others!