About Calvary

Who are we: Calvary Bible College is an accredited, independent, nondenominational institution providing undergraduate and graduate education which prepares Christians to live and serve in the church and the world according to a biblical worldview.

Where we are: The Calvary campus is located in Kansas City, Missouri, a large Midwest city with a variety of employment and ministry opportunities, along with strong ties to active family and church life involvement. Kansas City sits atop bluffs overlooking rivers and river bottoms areas, near scenic lakes, parks, fountains, shopping, restaurants, outdoor markets, live entertainment and professional athletic teams.

Leadership

Calvary Bible College and Calvary Theological Seminary are administered by the President’s Cabinet, consisting of the president and three vice presidents – the academic dean of the college, the dean of the seminary and the chief financial officer

President/Cabinet: Dr. James L. Clark, president, Dr. Teddy Bitner, academic dean of the college, Dr. Thomas Baurain, dean of the seminary, and Rev. Randy Grimm, vice president of operations.

Dr. Clark is the first Calvary graduate to become president of the institution. He came to Calvary in 1993 as faculty member and chair of the biblical counseling department. He established the Biblical Counseling and Education Center, serving as director/counselor for 14 years. He was appointed academic dean in 1998 and then served as vice president and academic dean of the college for eight years before being asked to become president of the organization in 2009. In 2003, Clark was recognized as the Calvary Bible College Alumnus of the Year.

Prior to joining the college and seminary faculty, Dr. Clark served more than 20 years in the local church ministry as associate pastor and senior pastor. He also served as a chaplain for a community college, a Minnesota correctional facility and a volunteer fire department. Prior to the pastorate, he served as executive director of Southeast Iowa Youth for Christ.

Dr. Clark is actively involved as a speaker for seminars, conferences retreats, camps and local churches. He currently serves on the Boards of Directors of Avant Ministries and of Evangelical Enterprises, Inc., and is a founding member of "Counselor's Edge," a counseling ministry based in the Kansas City area.

Clark has previously served on the Board of Regents of Trinity College of the Bible and Theological Seminary and as vice president of the International Association of Biblical Counselors. He has also taught biblical counseling in Brazil at retreats and seminars held by A.B.E.C.A.R. Theological Bible College & Seminary and Verdade Biblica. Clark and his wife, DeLoris, have three children and eleven grandchildren, and make their home in Bates City, Missouri.

Board of Trustees

President, Dr. James L. Clark Bates City, Missouri, president of Calvary Bible College and Theological Seminary.

Chairman, Rev. Clay Bowlin Parkville, Missouri, senior pastor of Northwest Bible Church.

Vice Chairman, Dr. Rich Toliver Branson, Missouri, senior pastor of Branson Bible Church.

Secretary, Dr. Mark Pearson Springfield, Missouri, physician of internal medicine.

Members at Large:

Dr. Victor Borden of Grandview, Missouri. Senior pastor at Red Bridge Baptist Church.

Rev. Clay Bowlin of Parkville, Missouri. Senior pastor at Northwest Bible Church.

Rev. John Bryden of Shawnee, Kansas. Senior pastor at Maywood Community Church.

Rev. Dan Doty of Trimble, Missouri. Executive director at City Union Mission.

John Goodbrake of Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Owner of Master’s Transportation, Inc.

Leslie Lemon of Independence, Missouri. Research associate meteorologist at the National Weather Service.

Dr. Les Lofquist of Byron Center, Michigan. Executive director of IFCA International.

Rev. Charlie Paine of Grandview, Missouri. Senior pastor at Blue River Bible Church.

Mike Sanders of Belton, Missouri. President/CEO Heritage Benefit Consultants.

Philosophy

Mission: Calvary Bible College and Theological Seminary is an independent, nondenominational institution, providing undergraduate and graduate education which prepares Christians to live and serve in the church and the world according to a biblical worldview. This is accomplished by providing appropriate educational curricula and a climate that fosters the development of intellectual and spiritual maturity, leadership potential, servanthood, and a sense of mission.                        

Purpose: The purpose of every program at Calvary is to teach students Bible and theology, and to prepare them for Christian ministry.

Calvary offers a variety of program choices:

  • Baccalaureates—Four-year and five-year degrees
  • Post-graduate–Master's degrees.
  • Associates—Two-year degrees
  • Certificates—One-year certificate

Calvary’s educational programs emphasize biblical studies, complemented by general and professional education as well as practical field experience.

Core values:

  • Truth – We hold the Scriptures to be true, the focal point of our education process and the authority for all we teach and do.
  • Service – We prepare men and women to live according to a biblical worldview by consistently linking education with the implications for Christian service in the church and the world.
  • Character – We promote the development of intellectual and spiritual maturity, leadership potential, servanthood, and a sense of mission and ministry.
  • Relevance– We prepare men and women to understand and effectively relate to the world in which we live.
  • Relationship – We cultivate godly relationships among students, staff, faculty, and with alumni, the local church, and the society in which we live.

Doctrinal statements and convictions:

  • Solidly Biblical—Theologically, Calvary can be described as biblical, fundamental, pre-millennial and dispensational. Each year, faculty members and trustees must affirm his acceptance of the Bible as the inerrant, verbally- inspired Word of God.
  • Doctrinal Understanding—Current students should realize that Calvary will graduate only those who possess a foundational understanding of the Bible and the college’s doctrinal statement.
  • Separated—It is Calvary’s desire to be separated unto God from worldliness, whether in personal actions, attitudes and thought, or in ecclesiastical programs and associations. Calvary’s position is one of being loyal to the biblical doctrine of ecclesiastical separation so that it has no embarrassing ties which might keep it from exposing apostasy, heresy or sin. This is evidenced in its historical stand against the ecumenical teachings and practices of our day.
  • Evangelism and Missions—We believe that the “Great Commission” defines the primary mission of the Church. Calvary seeks to incorporate the spirit of evangelism and discipleship into the whole Calvary family, whether in the classroom, in chapel, or in extracurricular activities and projects.
  • A friend of Bible-believing churches—Calvary stands with all who love Christ and preach His Word, and the attitude throughout Calvary is nonsectarian. We are unreservedly loyal to all Bible-believing churches faithful to Christ and the Bible. Calvary is affiliated with the IFCA International and maintains a good relationship with independent and denominational churches and individuals that uncompromisingly hold to the historic fundamentals of the faith.
  • Tongues movement—Calvary does not foster, teach, or provide a hospitable atmosphere for the “tongues” movement. If one of tongues persuasion desires to enter Calvary as a student and is willing to study with an open mind, he is welcome. However, he is definitely prohibited from practicing or propagating his belief concerning the tongues doctrine and is carefully helped to understand the institution’s position onthis important issue. The institution’s position is clear. Tongues is not a part of our ministry, nor is it beneficial or necessary to our Christian life. It is neither sought nor encouraged. We are non-charismatic.
  • Nurturing character and truth—We are persuaded that the Scriptures teach that what we are is as important as what we know. Ephesians 4:15 clearly states that we are to speak the truth (doctrine) in love (Christlike character). This is the reason we put much effort in developing Christlike character and a servant’s heart while communicating God’s Word. In all matters we endeavor to display the “excellent spirit” of the prophet Daniel (Dan. 6:3). This man of God refused to compromise and yet he constantly  displayed an attitude which endeared him to his superiors. He was neither vindictive nor self-righteous and by his dedicated life made a profound impact upon the kings of Babylon and Persia.

Read our Statement of Faith

Professionally and Regionally Accredited

Calvary Bible College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and the Commission on Accreditation of the Association of Biblical Higher Education. Calvary has a rating of IV-AG in the publication Transfer Credit Practices.

Calvary Bible College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. You may contact them at:

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
230 S LaSalle St, Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604-1413 
(800) 621-7440
FAX at 312-263-7462
info@ncacihe.org
www.ncacihe.org

Read more about Calvary Bible College's affliation status.

Calvary Bible College is accredited professionally by the Commission on Accreditation of the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE). The ABHE is the institutional accrediting agency for Bible colleges and seminaries. Questions or appeals regarding accreditation issues and/or matters needing outside mediation may be directed to:

ABHE
5850 T.G. Lee Blvd., Suite 130
Orlando, FL 32822
(407) 207-0808
FAX at 407-207-0840
exdir@abhe.org
www.abhe.org

Documents pertaining to the college's accreditation may be reviewed in the Office of the President.

Approval for Degrees

The college is authorized by the State of Missouri to offer degrees commensurate with its programs of training: Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Music. The college is also listed in the higher education directory published by the United States Department of Education.

Associations

Calvary’s elementary education, secondary education (social studies emphasis), and music education programs are approved by the State of Missouri. Candidates who graduate from these programs can be recommended for state certification and licensure. The teacher education program of Calvary Bible College is certified by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) for the preparation of teachers for ministry in Christian school education.