TBC: Cookeville's other college

Tennessee Bible College offers variety of religious education courses, some transferable to TTU — registration is Jan. 3

by AMY DAVIS
TENNESSEE BIBLE COLLEGE

COOKEVILLE — Mention Tennessee Tech anywhere in the Upper Cumberland, and folks will immediately think of the university of purple and gold well known for its many areas of study—a draw for a 10,000-plus student body.

The same kind of recognition goes for area schools like Nashville State Tech or Volunteer State Community College.

But there's another local college that is, perhaps, lesser known in the community —a school that's actually been around more than 32 years offering Bible degrees to a small, steady stream of students.

Now you've heard of Tennessee Bible College.

And its founder and president, Malcolm Hill, wants to get the word out about this little white school building in the countryside of northeast Cookeville and what it has to offer, which is a large selection of courses in Christian evidences, Bible interpretation, Christian counseling, church history, Bible languages, sermon preparation, evangelism, world religions and denominations, plus extensive Bible textual studies. Several general education courses are offered as well, including English composition, literature, psychology and philosophy — some of which may be transferred to other colleges or universities, including Tennessee Tech.

Preacher in training
Taking a stand behind the chapel pulpit at Tennessee Bible College in Cookeville is student Mark Day, who moved to Cookeville from Indianapolis, Ind., to pursue a bachelor's degree in religious education. TBC offers training for preachers, Bible school teachers, missionaries or anyone else seeking advanced Bible education. Registration for the winter quarter is Jan. 3 from 10 a.m.-noon at the college, 1616 McCulley Road.

"The purpose of Tennessee Bible College is to train gospel preachers and help Bible school teachers grow in Bible knowledge," Hill said. "It is our wish to see men and women go out into the world and be a tremendous influence on mankind for what is good and right."

Students who stay the course at TBC may earn a bachelor's degree in religious education, master's and doctorate degrees in theology or a two-year preaching diploma.

It's a dream come true for Hill, who, from an early age, had sought a way for students to earn a Christian college education — especially those lacking the financial means to do so.

"I have a great desire to see young people receive a college education, and my heart has always been with people who want to get an education but don't have the financial support," Hill said.

That desire, he said, came about through his own early educational experiences.

"My father and mother were good providers, and I had the necessities of life, but I didn't have the support I needed to go to school," said Hill, a 1954 graduate of Livingston Academy. "But I wanted so greatly to go to college and get a higher education."

So he had to make his own way.

The young man — determined to attend a Christian school and become a preacher — left his Overton County home after high school, bound for Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson and later David Lipscomb College. He worked and preached his way through, and, with some additional support from friends and relatives, eventually earned a degree in Bible.

Some of Hill's classmates, however, weren't as fortunate. No money, no tuition.

"While I was in school, I saw some excellent people drop out because they didn't have the financial support," he said. "That struck me, especially because of my own background, and I decided that if I ever got through college and had the chance, I wanted to make it possible for the underprivileged people of ability to go to school."

Bible discussion
Gathering on the campus of Tennessee Bible College in Cookeville are students, from left, Helen Wang of China, Mark Day and Chris Thomas, both of Cookeville, and Midea Liao of China. Registration for the winter quarter is Jan. 3 from 10 a.m.-noon at the college, 1616 McCulley Road.

And that he did by founding Tennessee Bible College in Cookeville in 1975 — a school which is open to anyone desiring Christian education, whether they can afford it or not.

"TBC is the vehicle which brought about what my heart had longed for — and that is to offer students with tremendous ability, but not the money, an opportunity to earn a college degree."

Especially those who, like himself, have sought work in the church.

And Hill has not been disappointed — TBC has been a draw around the globe, attracting Bible scholars as far away as China, Africa, Korea, Malaysia and the Philippines. Approximately 15 states and 11 countries have been represented, with most students coming in contact with the school through its web site and completing studies via TBC's distance learning program.

TBC has also offered assistance to those a little closer to home. TBC's own dean, Kerry Duke — who enrolled in 1980 and went on to earn his bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees — was one such student.

"One of the very best students to have been through Tennessee Bible College is brother Kerry," Hill said. "So well do I remember him coming. He told me he wanted to attend TBC and become a preacher but didn't have the money. I told him if he could take care of his family, his tuition would be taken care of. So he came to school and worked tremendously hard, and I believe he is one of the best preachers and Bible teachers I've had the privilege of knowing."

John Ward of Livingston listens intently in class at Tennessee Bible College in Cookeville. The college offers a bachelor's degree in religious education, master's and doctorate degrees in theology, and a two-year preaching diploma.

Today, others continue to follow in Duke's footsteps, including TBC freshman Joshua Brown of Bowling Green, Ky.

"My purpose for coming to Tennessee Bible College is to go into pulpit ministry, and I definitely need the knowledge of Bible scripture they provide here," Brown said. "Starting with that foundation is the best way to go into preaching."

TBC junior Mark Day, a native of Indianapolis, Ind., also came for preacher training.

He said, "TBC is an excellent school for anyone who desires to know the Bible. The classes are small, so it is easy to ask questions, participate in discussion and become familiar with the faculty."

Hill describes TBC as a "preacher manufacturing school."

"Our main focus has been to teach men the old Jerusalem gospel and how to preach it," he said.

Tennessee Bible College and Tennessee Tech University are now "Friends in Education," which means some academic hours are transferable between the schools. Students should check with their advisors for more information.

Why?

"We need preachers because God said we need preachers," Hill said. "In Romans 10:14, the Bible says, 'and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?' We need preachers to scatter the word. Not just preachers alone do that, but preachers have a tremendous impact in getting the gospel out."

How can college help preachers?

"Of course, I believe a man can be a self-made preacher, and we've had a number of people who were great self-made preachers," Hill said. "But preaching the gospel needs to have the very best minds, and it is through a college education, primarily, that one learns to think logically."

Not just for preachers

But TBC offers more than preacher training.

The college's large variety of religious education courses are open to everyone, and a diverse group of students have taken advantage. The ages vary anywhere from just out of high school to well past retirement. There are men and women. Singles and married people. Preachers and non-preachers. Those who work for college credit and those who audit.

A classroom full of students study at Tennessee Bible College in Cookeville. The college offers a bachelor's degree in religious education, master's and doctorate degrees in theology, and a two-year preaching diploma.

Many seek to be better Bible class teachers at church. Some want to be missionaries. Others plan to be teachers in Christian schools. And a number of them seek secular careers but, at the same time, want to pick up some college credit at TBC to help improve their Christian living.

Students like freshman Andrea Beason of Byrdstown fit that bill.

"I was going to go to college anyway, but going to TBC first is probably the best thing I could ever do," said Beason, who is planning to major in education at another college later on.

'Friends' with TTU

Through the years, TBC has had working relationships with other area colleges and universities, including Tennessee Tech, in which certain academic hours have been deemed transferable.

Recently, TBC and TTU proclaimed themselves "friends in education" and even put a new brochure in circulation.

"We do our separate work, but we work conjointly where we can," Hill said. "TTU receives some credit hours from us, and we accept the same from them."

He added, "We appreciate and highly respect Tennessee Tech University, and we have deep appreciation for its very capable president, Dr. Bob Bell. He is interested in what we're interested in, and that is to educate as many people as possible. Dr. Bell is truly a friend to humanity, as well as a friend to higher education, wherever it may be."

Hill's own granddaughter, Mallory Hill, now a freshman business major at TTU, took the opportunity to earn some college credit from TBC by participating in an African mission trip this past August.

TTU students interested in religious education courses at TBC should to check with their advisors as to the transferability of credit hours. Same goes with TBC students seeking degrees from both institutions.

TBC then and now

Tennessee Bible College has come a long way since its humble beginning in 1975, when it consisted of night classes at Sycamore Church of Christ.

"The interest kept growing," Hill said.

When the Northeast Church of Christ congregation was formed in 1978, class meetings resumed in that building until TBC's current facility was constructed on adjacent property in 1994.

The 18,000-square-foot building, surrounded by nine acres of green countryside, is equipped with an administrative area, classrooms, dormitories, a library, chapel, student lounge, kitchen and recording studio.

The school is authorized by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission and operates solely on contributions from church congregations, businesses and other individuals who support its cause.

TBC hosts several annual events, including its Spiritual Renewal Week lectureship and Leadership Day, and holds public debates and contemporary issues conferences as needed. Hill is also proud of a camp the college began hosting several years back. The week-long Truth Bible Camp is held each summer for boys and girls ages 9-18. It's a way to teach them principles of the Christian life — as well as introduce them to the college.

And that means more preachers, Bible teaches, missionaries and Christian workers.

And that's what it's all about for Malcolm Hill.

"I don't have the words sufficient to explain the satisfaction and deep heartfelt thoughts I have for the opportunity I've been given to, in some measure, reach out and help people of ability to better themselves in this world."

A new quarter

With a new year comes a new quarter at TBC. Registration is set for Thursday, Jan. 3, from 10 a.m. to noon. Classes will be held Jan. 7-March 28.

The following courses are being offered:

Undergraduate

• English Composition II (Glenn Ramsey)
• Romans (Kerry Duke)
• Christianity and Contemporary Culture (staff)
• Principles of Christian Living (Malcolm Hill)
• Ancient Philosophy (D. Hill)
• Ephesians, Philipians, Colossians (M. Hill and Paul Wilmoth)
• Introduction to Christian Counseling (Ramsey)

Graduate

• Biblical doctrine of Prophecy (M. Hill)
• History of Theology (Duke)
• Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible (Ramsey)
• Advanced Hermeneutics (staff)

Scholarships are available to those who qualify.

"No worthy student is turned away for lack of funds," Hill said.

"I suggest that people take the time to learn more about Tennessee Bible College. All are welcome to come see us and talk with us about the schedule and about how we may help them. The welcome mat is out."

He added, "We call upon the city of Cookeville to give us their good will, interest and support in what we feel is a tremendous blessing to Cookeville. Tennessee Bible College has attracted professors and students, and they have done their work and business in the area, bringing in millions of dollars. We trust that people have noticed and appreciated our efforts in the community and will continue to do so."

For more information about TBC, call (931)526-2616, visit www.tn-biblecollege.edu or stop by the school at 1616 McCulley Road, Cookeville.