The FEBC-BCEA Connection in the Bible College Movement
Rev Dr Mark Kim Kyung Soo
Principal, Bible College of East Africa
The relationship between Bible College of East Africa (BCEA) and Far Eastern Bible College (FEBC) is an inseparable and valuable one based on a common doctrinal stand and a common heritage influenced by the IBPFM and ICCC. Although BCEA was initially offered the opportunity to inaugurate a bachelor’s degree programme by a Christian university in the United States, it may be said that the eventual implementation of this programme under FEBC was a result of God’s providential guidance. Like BCEA, the ministry of FEBC takes a firm and assertive stand against apostasy and compromise in all forms.
Founding of FEBC and BCEA
The decision to establish FEBC was precipitated by the visit of Dr Philip Clark, General Secretary of the Independent Board for Presbyterian Foreign Missions, USA. The General Secretary’s promise to send qualified teachers to help in this ambitious national undertaking was crucial to the founding of the College. In its own publication, IBPFM introduces the history of FEBC’s founding as follows: “Dr Timothy Tow, who received his theological training at Faith Theological Seminary … has said that the Far Eastern Bible College began as early as 1954 from an idea first conceived in the minds of certain elders of the Bible Presbyterian Church of Singapore. This idea arose partly from the theological confrontation with institutions in Singapore that have apostasized from the Faith. Therefore, it may be said that the FEBC idea was born of the 20th Century Reformation Movement. Dr Tow became pastor of the Life Bible Presbyterian Church in Singapore on October 20, 1950. As the Church grew and new churches were established, the need for new workers was felt and talk of establishing a Bible college began. With the encouragement of The Independent Board and the Board’s promise to provide missionary teachers, the decision to start the college was made. The building program for a new church sanctuary and Bible college premises was started in 1961. In September of the following year, the Far Eastern Bible College, with three students, opened its doors under its principal, Dr Timothy Tow.”
Hence the doors of FEBC were opened for classes just two and a half years prior to the opening of BCEA.
Since the founding of FEBC in September 1962, various missionaries under the Independent Board have served the institution. Among these include Rev and Mrs Edward Paauwe (Mrs Paauwe—Lehia—is Rev Dr Timothy Tow’s daughter), who were appointed by IBPFM in 1970 to serve at FEBC. It has been a strong companion of the Board in the 20th Century Reformation Movement.
Biblical Distinctives
Dr Lynn Gray Gordon wrote, “The Far Eastern Bible College in Singapore is one of the institutions working very closely with the Independent Board. For a number of years, we have assigned missionaries to cooperate with the college in the teaching that is found there…. Dr Timothy Tow … founded FEBC and is the principal of this strong Bible college…. The tenth graduation service of FEBC was observed on July 30, 1978. On that occasion Dr Tow Siang Hwa addressed the graduating class. His message was so timely, stirring, and challenging that we have determined to publish it in Biblical Missions for all believers to see. He emphasized the distinctives of the college as being (1) separation from apostasy, not infiltration into it; and (2) the need not just to declare but to defend and to contend for the faith that God has once for all entrusted to the saints.”
It is my hope that these distinctives will be maintained both at BCEA and at FEBC until the Lord returns.
During my tenure as principal, the single most effective form of enforcement has been the stringent enforcement of graduation requirements, rather than raising the bar for admissions standards. During my early years as principal, I warned against lax study habits when not one of the students who were due to graduate actually met the graduation requirements. The seemingly drastic warning that the graduation ceremony will be cancelled altogether, if necessary, was not heeded with seriousness. When the cancellation actually materialised in 1993, it was met with shock, disbelief, and anger. Letters of complaint were even sent to the Independent Board, which firmly stood by the school’s position that graduation standards will be enforced with seriousness. The study atmosphere in the College profoundly improved thereafter.
Library and Books
At the present, the College maintains its tradition of mandatory study hours in the library. Pastor Kipkorir Langat (ADipTh, BCEA, 2005) fondly recounts his days at BCEA: “The most memorable part of my training was access to the library. I thank God for the library facilities available at BCEA. I used to enjoy going there for my personal studies and I could find many books with much substance in them.”
Through the grace of God, the BCEA library has undergone great improvement in facilities as well as in the number of books it contains. This has been one of the slower areas of development in the past, as one missionary comments, “Acquiring books for the library was not as big a priority as it should have been.” God’s provision for library development has been through the giving of many co-labourers in the Lord. During my tenure, a gift of 2000 books from Far Eastern Bible College in Singapore was a very timely and significant turning point for the strengthening of the College library. FEBC has been a regular contributor to the library in subsequent years as well. Dr Lynn Gray Gordon was another early contributor in 1996, who donated hundreds of books from his personal library. Dr Sim from New Life B-P Church (Singapore) and Calvary Pandan B-P Church (Singapore) were also among those early supporters for the library expansion project.
Bachelor of Ministry
The Bachelor of Ministry (BMin) is a degree awarded by Far Eastern Bible College (FEBC) in Singapore (Dr Timothy Tow, Principal). It is the first degree programme to be offered at BCEA and seeks to deepen one’s knowledge of Scripture and theology for effective ministry in the church, and to equip servants with the necessary skills for the defence of the Christian faith in these last days. The Bachelor of Ministry programme accepts past BCEA graduates who are in full-time Christian service. Advanced Diploma in Theology graduates of the years 2003 and later are eligible to apply. Of those who graduated prior to 2003, those who finished the Diploma in Theology course with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 (C+) or higher are eligible.
The requirements of graduation are in accordance with the requirements of FEBC. Students must complete all prescribed residential courses with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 (C+). Students must also complete all collateral reading modules, submit an approved research paper or translation project, demonstrate good Christian conduct, pass a viva voce examination, and be present at the graduation service for the conferment of the degree. The first batch of Bachelor of Ministry students graduated in 2004.
A Fundamentalist School
BCEA was founded as a fundamentalist school. It was decidedly selective in doctrine and teaching but not exclusive: that is, students of various denominational backgrounds were accepted from the onset. It can be argued that this admissions policy proved to be successful in propagating the school’s position. It is my conviction that the stand of a school is not defined by the makeup of its student body but by the position of its faculty. To pursue a non- exclusive admissions policy, however, the careful selection of faculty is of paramount importance, but this may be used as an effective way not only to defend BCEA’s position but also to inform others of it as well. The principle that the best defence is a strong offence may be applied to orthodoxy. Indeed, the Gospel is to be preached to every creature (Mark 16:15).
Today, the student body at BCEA is characterised by an assortment of denominational backgrounds from Kenya and abroad. As mentioned previously, the stand of a school is not defined by the makeup of its student body but by the position of its faculty.
During my term as principal, an unprecedented number of BCEA graduates have been sent to schools in the same position as BCEA, such as FEBC, for further studies. Only those with further studies experience have been appointed to full-time teaching positions.
Editor’s Note: Come and rejoice with FEBC tonight on the occasion of her 33rd Graduation Service at Calvary Pandan Bible-Presbyterian Church, 6pm, followed by a reception. Come and pray for the Class of 2008 as they commence their service for the Lord, and hear Rev Dr Mark Kim who will speak on “Equipping Labourers for the Harvest.” Rev Kim, who already holds an honorary doctorate, will be conferred the Doctor of Education (EdD) degree. His dissertation discussed the establishment and development of the Bible College of East Africa (1965- 2007), and will be published by the College in a special edition of The Burning Bush.
