Our History

Dr. Gene Morris, pastor of Maranatha Christian Fellowship, was the Founder and first President of Maranatha Bible College & Institute. The Lord burdened his heart for young pastors and Church leaders—prompting him to call together two dear friends, Pastor Culvert Roberts and Rev. Alfonzo Tyler, leading them to initiate a Bible class ministry with a handful of students. Their continued hunger to learn and teach brought together students and teachers birthing Maranatha Bible Institute in 1980. In 1982, Maranatha Bible Institute was recognized by the State of Ohio—also receiving its 501-C3 tax-exempt status from the IRS as a non-profit, non-denominational, Christian education facility. Maranatha Bible College & Institute (MBCI)—governed by an elected Board of Trustees, (responsible for the general oversight of the school)—has been serving the greater Cleveland area since 1980 as a vehicle toward Biblical literacy. MBCI became a recognized college in 2011 with the primary goal and objective of assisting local Churches in edifying Believers while preparing God’s People for Christian service—affordably (holding to a conservative evangelical view on Biblical interpretation).
 

In 2008, Dr. Benjamin Aden was elected president, and Gerald A. Stewart as the chairman of the Board of Trustees. A Mission Statement was developed stating, “Our mission is to provide a Quality Christian Education and Ministry training in God’s Word” which evolved into our present Mission Statement: “Our mission is to glorify God by providing a quality Christian Education and ministry training in God’s Word.”
 

The Board was then challenged to prayerfully seek a permanent home for MBCI. This challenge led to the locating and purchasing of our current property at 13701 Kinsman in 2012. We also became fully accredited, in 2012, through the Accrediting Commission International—the world’s largest non-governmental college accreditation institution. This accreditation gives us the authority to offer diplomas from the associates to the doctorate while also continuing its partnership with the Evangelical Training Association (ETA)— affording our students the opportunity to receive ETA licensure which enables them the privilege of teaching ETA courses globally.

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Through God’s grace, He made us aware of the “In His Steps Foundation, and “Mission Increase Foundation”—which enabled us to finance the remodeling of our building and receive valuable training regarding how to build partnerships for ministry. Baptist Builders and World Changers (both of the Southern Baptist Association) have provided free labor over the years toward our renovation.
 

In 2020, Elijah J. Span was elected to become the current President, and Evelyn Hendricks the
chairman of the Board of Trustees. They both continue to serve in these capacities while standing on the
shoulders of past presidents and leaders to whom we owe a huge debt of gratitude.