The following is a letter that went out to friends and supporters of California Christian College in March. Our apologies if you did not receive personal notification. We did have quite a few letters returned undeliverable and/or travel through the mail system for a few weeks. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
March 22, 2023
Dear Friends,
Greetings in the name of Jesus from California Christian College! I trust you are enjoying the blessings of the Lord and that all is well with you and those you hold dear.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, the faculty, and the staff of the College, I extend our heartfelt gratitude for your faithful partnership with CCC over the years. The combination of your prayers and your financial support has sustained the College across the decades and enabled CCC to train scores of stellar alumni who have made a profound impact for the Kingdom of God around the world. But as with so many faith-based colleges around the country, California Christian College has been unable to keep up with the financial demands required by our accrediting agency and the Federal Department of Education. It is with a heavy heart that I share the sad news that California Christian College will close its operations at the conclusion of the current academic year (2022-2023).
But the Lord has a way of bringing comfort even in the midst of sorrow. While CCC will no longer offer the Bible-based education it has provided for over fifty years from its campus in Fresno, its ministry will be absorbed by the Catalyst Bible College (CBC) in Visalia (about 40 miles away). A ministry of First Assembly of God in Visalia, CBC’s primary focus is training people for ministry, mirroring the mission of CCC. CCC students who opt to continue at CBC will be able to transfer their credits and continue their education at a tuition rate lower than CCC’s current charges. This relieves CCC of the responsibility of providing an extended teach-out for our current students and makes CBC custodian of all CCC’s records. CBC will also be purchasing CCC’s library holdings, along with various furnishings and equipment.
The offer from Catalyst Bible College is very positive and has been presented very graciously to the Board and Administrative Team of CCC. Accepting it, of course, has evoked bittersweet emotions. While CBC has offered to interview our current faculty and staff, they can provide no guarantee of employment. Please pray that members of our staff will find meaningful and gainful employment in a timely manner. And even though CCC will no longer have a presence in the Central Valley, CBC has agreed to include California Christian College in its institutional legacy and history. That will be reflected in all publications, website, and future alumni associations. In addition, CBC will provide CCC and/or the Free Will Baptist Church naming opportunities for an ongoing scholarship fund.
Again, we thank you for your prayers and financial support over the years. CCC will still need your help during the months of transition, and while you will need to re-direct your giving in the future, we encourage you to be faithful in your support into the summer. Some of you may even consider a larger final gift to CCC to help with expenses connected with the transition and the closure of our ministry. I know Catalyst Bible College would be a worthwhile recipient of your future giving and would be blessed to have you transfer your prayer and financial support to them.
May you and yours experience anew and afresh the wonders of our living Lord as we soon approach Passion Week, culminated by the glorious victory of our Savior’s resurrection on Easter Sunday!
To HIM be the glory,
Timothy M. Powell, Ph.D.
President
The office will remain open through May and on a limited basis through August. If you would like copies of your transcript please use the website link here to Order Transcript. We will update the website when academic records are moved to a new location and let you know how to request your transcripts.
Revised 7/26/23