Marturian 1953

l FOUNDERS Top left to right: G. A. Bates , J. F. Cuthriell, H. Kramer, D. E. Luttrell , L. T. Merchant · Bottom: G. C . Nika, G. V. Smelser - --- CT f JITHIN the past decade many people throughout Cleveland and the State of Ohio have won– -vv dered at times, how the Baptist Bible Institute of Cleveland originated. Was there an unusual beginning? Did the new school have a front page story? Did the city see the need of s uch an institution? Were the churches responsible for the inauguration of the school? These are some questions that perhaps you may have asked, yourself. No, the school did not have a glamorous beginning with much pomp and circumstance, as man sees it; but as the Lord our Saviour looked down, He visioned a training center with a purpose; one that would teach His servants the truth, not only for their own edification but for the propagation of the Gospel with real effectiveness in a sinful and chaotic world. A group that comprised nine Baptist pastors saw the need of such an institution. These were George A. Bates, George G. Nika, Gerald V. Smelser, Gordon Anderson, L. T. Merchant, D. E. Luttrell, Howard Kramer, William S. Ross, andJ. F. Cuthriell. On September 27, 1941, they assembled at the Calvary Baptist Church in Cleveland to discuss the possibilities and probabilities of the school. The outcome was the selection of Pastor Luttrell and Pastor Ross as a committee to secure data from Bible schools in Detroit and Grand Rapids, which might help in forming plans for a school in Cleveland. On October 20th, 1941, the whole group of nine pastors gathered at the Russett Cafe– teria to discuss this project further. With Mr. Bates elected as chairman, Mr. Ross presented the printed material he had received from the two Bible schools in Michigan. The following questions were then presented by the Chairman: If we are going to organ– ize a Baptist Bible training school, where will the school hold its sessions? What standards will be required of the teachers? Will a full-time worker be employed to serve as Dean? What courses will be included in the curriculum? On what day or days will classes be held? When will the first session of school commence? These questions, as we observe today , have been answered satisfactorily. Pastor Ross reported that the Advisory Council of the Hough Avenue Baptist Church voted approval of the school, and offered the use of the educational plant with lights and fuel free. It was mutually agreed as to the standards for the teachers. They were required to be graduated from high school, to have Theological Seminary or accredited Bible School training, and to have membership in a fundamental Baptist Church. These requirements are still ob– s erved. The need of a full-time worker to serve as Dean was discussed with much prayer at this time , but no one was called until 1945. The required studies in the firs t curriculum included Bible Doctrine, Synthesis, Prac– ti ca l work, Biblical intorduction, and Biblical interpretation. Classes were conducted on ever y Tuesday and Friday night. The first session was held on September 15, 1942. This, dear readers of the "Marturian" , was the beginning of the Baptist Bible Institute of Cl eveland. It is an approved agency of the G.A.R.B.C., but more important, it is, we believe, an institution that the Lord has ordained. Many students have graduated from B.B.I. and are laboring in the service of our risen Lord. We praise Him for this lighthouse in a world blackened with sin, a lighthouse that sends forth servants prepared to proclaim and live the Gospel in word and deed. The prayer of every student and Alumnus is that the Baptist Bible Institute of Cleveland will continue until the Lord comes, to teach the unsearchable and bountiful ri ches of Chris t that have been proclaimed since September 1942. 12