Mpls Gospel Tabernacle 90th Anniversary North Central University

North Central University turning 90 this year

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.

An unlikely time to begin

With the Great Depression gaining steam following the 1929 stock market crash, 1930 would not have seemed the most opportune time to start a school, but Lindquist was a man of faith and knew that God’s biggest movements rarely took place according to man’s convenience and logic.

The year in which North Central came to be included many notable events:

  • With advances in telescopic technology, scientists discovered what was then identified as the ninth planet, Pluto.
  • After the wild success of his animated film, Walt Disney launched the Mickey Mouse comic strip in newspapers throughout the country in January. By the summer of 1930, the comic strip appeared in up to 40 newspapers across nearly two-dozen countries.
  • Close to home the 3M Company in Minnesota marketed Scotch Tape in the United States. 1930 also marked the beginning of Hostess Twinkies.
  • In India, Mohandas “Mahatma” Gandhi began the Salt March, a campaign of civil disobedience in an effort to gain independence from Great Britain.
  • On the world stage, Adolf Hitler’s National Socialist party won 107 seats in the German Parliament, making them the second-largest party in Germany and leading to Hitler’s fateful rise to power.

While never reaching the household-name status of Twinkies, Scotch Tape, or Mickey Mouse, nor making it into history books as a world-changing event, what began in a church basement in Minneapolis in 1930 is not without impact. We may never fully know on this side of Heaven how far the reach of this institution and its people have been over the course of 90 years.

Reflections and celebrations

In the months ahead, the Table Salt blog will feature stories of North Central University history, reflecting on key events and shining moments where God showed up and where students, faculty, and alumni of North Central have made—and are making—a difference in this world.

At Homecoming and Partners for Progress next fall, the North Central Community will be officially celebrating the 90th Anniversary.

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