The History

of Baptist College of Ministry
The story of Baptist College of Ministry is God's story. At every turn and in every step, you cannot help but see the hand of the God Who still does the impossible. It's also the story of a simple, local church that saw a need and embraced a vision, even though it meant great sacrifice. Because of the humble commitment of the people of Falls Baptist Church, gospel laborers have been sent around the globe, and thousands have heard the gospel and accepted Christ.
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Vision and Beginnings

In the early 1990's, surveying the changing tides of fundamental Christianity, the late Dr. Wayne Van Gelderen, Sr. expressed a burden for a new fundamental seminary that would train faith-filled leaders for the local church through the local church. His son, Pastor Wayne Van Gelderen, Jr., pastor of Falls Baptist Church in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, shared his burden, but had no desire to delve in to such a major undertaking personally. However, God had other plans. As time passed and the need became more apparent for the young people of their own church, the Lord convinced Pastor Van Gelderen and the leadership of Falls Baptist Church that He intended to use their church to start not only this envisioned seminary, but a college to prepare the future seminarians too. In the summer of 1998, they presented the need and burden to the people of Falls Baptist who, with an overwhelming vote of support and commitment, embraced the vision for a new ministry training school based in their church—Baptist College of Ministry.

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The Preliminary Year

Recognizing the enormity of the task of starting a college, the leadership of Falls Baptist Church decide to begin with a preliminary, "unofficial" year before launching the college. In the fall of 1998, twelve young men and women, all members of Falls Baptist Church, enrolled as students of the college about to be born. Prior to and during this year, hundreds of hours were invested in establishing a pattern for student life and a strong academic and ministry structure that would successfully prepare men and women for ministry in the local church. This year proved to be an invaluable time that paved the way for the official beginning of Baptist College of Ministry in the fall of 1999.

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The Early Years

During the 1999-2000 inaugural year, twenty-four students were enrolled, some coming from as far away as Florida and Rhode Island. In the college’s third year, thirty-nine students dedicated themselves to train for the ministry at BCM, with four students receiving their baccalaureate degrees in May of 2001 at the school’s first commencement service. The Fall of 2001 marked the addition of seminary and graduate degree programs, and the first seminary graduates were awarded degrees in May of 2003.

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Moving Forward

As God continued to bless, the student body of BCM steadily grew. With this growth came the desperate need for dedicated classroom and housing facilities. This inescapable need led the college into a journey of faith, prayer, and miraculous provision. God provided a much-needed coach bus in direct answer to prayer, encouraging the administration and student body that He is still able to do the impossible. Over the next several years, the student body saw good hand of God at work, answering prayer, and bringing the miracle of the Heritage Center into reality. This building includes dormitory housing, classroom space, a snack shop, library, and practice room complex. The Heritage Center stand today as a monument, reminding all those who were a part of the journey that we serve the God of the impossible.

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After 20 Years

As we celebrate 20 years, we are amazed at all that God has done. With over 300 graduates serving the Lord around the globe, and a thriving student body focused more than ever on pursuing Jesus and serving Him, we are overwhelmed by the goodness of God. Over the last several years, the Lord has clarified the focus of each degree, enabling us to be more intentional than ever in the development of each student for their specific calling. Looking ahead, we continue on the journey of faith as we are faced once again with a need for more student housing as a new generation of young people are rising up, answering the call of God, and following His direction to train at Baptist College of Ministry.

The need of the world is great. The power of God has not diminished. This is no time to relax. It is time to press forward by the grace of God, and reach our world with the life-changing message of Jesus!