North Central University was founded as North Central Bible Institute in fall 1930. Like most endeavors of any significance, the creation of the school came from the seed of an idea, as recounted in “A Faithful Past, a Shining Future: 75 years of Pentecostal Education at North Central University,” a book published by North Central University Press in 2006 to commemorate the 75th anniversary. Here is an excerpt from the book, written by Lafe Blobaum ’05, that tells North Central’s origin story:
“You must begin a bible school.”
It was 1929 when Lillian B. Yeomans boldly spoke those prophetic words to the superintendent of the North Central District of the Assemblies of God. “Your young people need the training they can only get in a Bible school,” Yeomans told F.J. Lindquist. Though Lindquist’s immediate response to this brazen proclamation is unknown, a seed was planted. As the pastor of the Minneapolis Gospel Tabernacle, Lindquist had already found the importance of Biblical knowledge to be true in his own life. He believed in the benefit of ministerial training, having taken some correspondence courses through Moody Bible Institute. “I knew how important it was that ministers be able to study the Word of God,” Lindquist said. “So often, in the early days, the average Pentecostal preacher had the idea that he could open his mouth and the Lord would fill it.”
All of this came to life in the fall of 1930 when North Central Bible Institute’s first classes were held in the basement of Lindquist’s church [Minneapolis Gospel Tabernacle]. More than 30 students from throughout the North Central District [of the Assemblies of God] descended upon Minneapolis to pursue the call of God upon their lives. Along with regular day sessions, the Institute also offered evening classes in its inaugural year, which drew an additional 80 students. Like today, the night school provided a learning opportunity for non-traditional students. Many of the night school students were adult members of Minneapolis Gospel Tabernacle who wanted a stronger foundation in Bible teaching.
Highlights of the first year included visits by several guest ministers. Among them were Charles Price, J.N. Hoover, Willard Pierce, and Lillian B. Yeomans, who were no doubt pleased to see the immediate success of Lindquist’s Bible school.
The curriculum set up by Lindquist and his staff was designed to be a three-year program. As a result, in its first year, the school had only one group of students. The student body more than doubled the following year, however, with over 30 new students beginning their first year, and 22 of the original 26 returning for the second. As the school outgrew the basement, they improvised, moving classes to the church’s balcony. Though the Tabernacle was still under construction, the congregation served as gracious hosts to the Institute during its first few years.
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