North Central University - Archive Yearbook (Minneapolis, MN)

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Jifimriml Sketch Because eminent men of God realized the importance of providing in the heart of the North a Christian training school, North Central Bible Institute was opened for the teaching of Gods word in the fall of 1930. The schools first home was in the then newly erected Minneapolis Gospel Taber- nacle. F rom all walks of life, twenty-six young people came to form the 'pioneer class of the school. The girls were placed in homes where they . could work for their board and room, and the boys were located by the dean of men in rooms or apartments near the school. Among these twenty- six students was one of the present faculty members, Rev. Earl B. Adamson, who was elected as the Student Council president, at the first organization of the class. In the fall of 1931, twenty-two students of the foundation class returned. It was on October 30th of that year that the school orchestra was begun with twelve members; on March 14, 1932, the first number of the school paper, The North Centralicm, was issued. When the school opened for the third year, eight boys and eleven girls came back to enroll and to graduate. The Junior Class numbered about twenty-five and the Freshman Class began with seventy-two members, making the total enrollment one hundred and fifteen students with eight instructors. The second year graduating class, that of 1934, had twenty- five graduates; in 1935 the number of graduates had increased to 39, and in 1948 after continual growth a record enrollment of 397 was reached. With Frank R. Griepp as editor, the first ARCHIVE was presented by the foundation class on May 5, 1933. iiStudy to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth? II Timothy 2:15. In keeping this commandment, North Central Bible Institute began evening classes, held on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings to accommodate those who could not come during the day. At the first closing exercises, eighty men and women received certificates of attendance; sixty-five received certificates of promotion at the second closing exercises. And at the first commencement exercise on May 16, 1933, about fifty students received certificates of attendance. The vision of the officials and directors of N orth Central Bible Institute scanned larger horizons, and in 1937 the new home at 900 Elliot Avenue

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South was purchased from the Asbury Hospital. The hospital had been completed in 1916 and in 1921 the United States Government had taken over the building for a Veterans, Hospital, vacating it again in 1928. After 1930 it remained vacant with the exception of the south wing, which was retained as a Nurses, home, until the old North Central District purchased the building in 1937. Today it stands as a fine training school for the Christian ministry. iiNot to be ministered unto but to minister? is the motto inscribed in stone above the entrance. Christian young men and women who have gathered in the institute year after year have attempted with the Lords help to keep this motto. The Seniors in 1938 had their new class room on the second floor, the Juniors were on the third floor, and the F reshmen met in the chapel. On May 16, 1938, the North Central Business College was organized to give young people efficient business training in a Christian atmosphere. Courses in accounting, bookkeeping, shorthand, typing, penmanship, and other commercial subjects were offered. Starting in the fall of 1946 and con- tinuing for two years, North Central Bible Institute also had an additional year of studies added to its curriculum. The Alumni Association was organized in 1934 to promote fellowship among the graduates and to encourage them in their ministry for the Lord. The association holds its banquet at commencement time to receive the graduating senior class into its ranks. The North Centralian is the official news organ of the association. Ever since its opening, North Central Bible Institute has been a missionary-minded school. The particular program for the first group was that every day at noon at half hour was set aside for this activity; 15 minutes were spent in discussing the needs of the fields and the remainder of the time for praying. The school was divided into six groups, each representing a different country. In 1933 the six countries represented were Africa, China, South America, Russia, India, and the Homeland. A part of Friday afternoon was spent studying specific countries, their geography, customs, problems, and needs. In the fall of 1933, the Palestine Band was added to the group, and additional bands have been added until at the present time there are eleven bands. Today North Central has fifty-four alumni who are serving on the foreign field. Christian service has been one of the most essential elements in the curriculum of North Central Bible Institute. When students acquire some- thing new or discover a better method of doing things, this department offers a chance to put it into practice. By 1933 work had been begun in five missions, eleven Bible classes had been started in private homes, and a regular visitation program to city hospitals, testifying and singing for the sick and shut-ins, had been started. The school held its first regular service in Glad Tidings Chapel on Sunday afternoon, February 2, 1936. This was the schools own mission chapel, located on Nicollet Avenue, a half block south of Lake Street. Students had full charge of services con- ducted there on Sunday afternoons and evenings. The Holy Spirit blessed