History

Any college’s history takes on greater significance when God’s involvement can be seen in its preservation and development. From the launch of classes as Pacific Coast Baptist Bible College

on September 11, 1967, to a flourishing ministry today in Oklahoma City, Heartland’s continuation reveals spiritual and circumstantial blessings from God.

Through a miraculous seven weeks in the summer of 1998, Pacific Coast Baptist Bible College relocated from San Dimas, California, to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and a former college campus in northwest Oklahoma City was renovated in time for the Fall 1998 semester.

During Opening Days in September 1998, the college was renamed Heartland Baptist Bible College. Within its first year in Oklahoma City, the college also reorganized, expanded from a regional to a national focus, and established accountability with a group of pastors, missionaries, and Christian workers known as the “Friends of Heartland.”

In 1999, Pastor Terry Randolph from Cornerstone Baptist Church in Phoenix, Arizona, resigned, and Pastor Sam Davison from Southwest Baptist Church in Oklahoma City became president. As Terry Randolph provided stability during a difficult time of transition, Sam Davison led with vision, determination, and dependence upon God as the college entered the 21st century.

In May 2018, Sam Davison stepped aside and was named chancellor, and Pastor Jason Gaddis, who had become the pastor of Southwest Baptist Church in 2010, became HBBC’s new (and current) president. Under Bro. Gaddis’ leadership, the college has emphasized its ministry training mission through articulation of a process statement, which conveys how God uses a 4-year course of study at HBBC to prepare students for biblical ministry. Through this emphasis, God has given fresh enthusiasm for the college’s partnership with local churches in training the next generation for ministry.

Pacific Coast Baptist Bible College

Pacific Coast Baptist Bible College was established through the vision, dedication, and determination of five key Southern California pastors (and a number of other pastors) who

purposed to form an independent Baptist Bible college in the Western United States. Under the direction of Pastor Ted Hicks, one of the college’s founding pastors and its first president,

PCBBC became an established training facility for preachers and Christian workers.

Although classes began in rented facilities in Orange, California, in 1967, the college relocated three times in its early years—in 1969 to Walnut, California; in 1971 to Pasadena, California; and in 1972 to the former Cal Poly Voorhis campus in San Dimas, California. PCBBC remained on this 149-acre property, which it purchased from the state of California, for the next 26 years.

The college’s second president, Pastor J.C. Joiner from New Testament Baptist Church in Tucson, Arizona, assumed leadership in February 1980. Bro. Joiner and Jack Baskin, former missionary to Korea and PCBBC executive vice-president, continued the college’s original vision. In May 1983, Pastor Joiner and Bro. Baskin resigned, and Pastor Frank Johnson from Kelview Heights Baptist Church in Midland, Texas, became the college’s third president.

On June 8, 1992, Pacific Coast Baptist Bible College was revived to “a new walk in the old paths” through the intervention and leadership of many pastors. Pastor Duane Thorp from Calvary Baptist Church in San Dimas was elected president—along with a new Board of Directors, and PCBBC began a new era with renewed vision and direction.

In May 1995, Pastor Terry Randolph from Cornerstone Baptist Church in Phoenix, Arizona, was elected as PCBBC’s fifth president after serving as the interim president during the spring of 1995. He led the college through a time of financial crisis and declining enrollment, which eventually precipitated the relocation of the college from Southern California to Oklahoma City in June 1998.

FAQs

How many majors does Heartland offer?

Heartland offers 15 majors across 6 academic departments. The majors include 4-year programs in a variety of pastoral, missions, youth ministries, education, and music disciplines, as well as a 2-year Ministry Secretarial program and a 1-year Bible Certificate program. See the complete list of majors and the course catalog here .

Is Heartland a local church ministry?

Because Heartland is not organized as a ministry of one specific church, perhaps you’ve wondered:

• Is Heartland a local church ministry, or is it a parachurch organization?

• Can our church send students to Heartland when we believe ministry training is a local church responsibility?

• Why is Heartland not under the exclusive authority of Southwest Baptist Church?

These are reasonable questions that warrant clear answers. We are passionate about biblical church doctrine, which means we’re glad to explain how a high view of the local church can co-exist with fervent support for Heartland.

Click here for more information.

How does Heartland's cost compare to other colleges?

The average price for a year of Bible college in 2024 across the nation was $15,145. Out of 15 Christian colleges, with prices ranging from $6,000 to $29,670 per year, Heartland ranks as one of the most affordable at $9,060.

Click here to learn more!

How does Heartland support students academically?

Heartland desires for all students to thrive academically and provides multiple layers of academic support. All students are assigned to an academic department through which the student’s department chair is available to answer program-related questions and to give academic counsel. The Academic Affairs Office monitors students’ academic progress and provides guidance for those who need additional support. Instructors view their teaching responsibilities as a ministry to students and are eager to offer personalized help. Tutors are also available for a variety of subjects.

All of these support layers (and more) reinforce our care for students.

What quality of education will I receive at Heartland?

Heartland’s administration and board of directors (comprised of 22 pastors) are dedicated to excellence in ministry training without the influence of any accreditation association led by theologians from other denominations. Because the college is not entangled in bureaucratic accreditation processes, Heartland’s resources can be focused on giving students a high-quality education that prepares them for real-life Christian service. This quality of education is rooted in instructors’ personal walk with God and extensive ministry experience, as well as the leadership’s high academic standards. Through purposefully designed curriculum—and enriching and practical instruction—students are challenged to devote their minds to Christ, which gives them grace to excel in the academic rigors they encounter.