President Emeritus’ welcome
My personal association with NCBC since 1971 has allowed me to become involved in the lives of numerous students who have impacted their generation for Christ. Many of our graduates have planted churches, labored on the mission field, served in staff positions at their church, or taught in one of the many venues of Christian Service. For the first 28 years, the college aimed to serve only the needs of the greater San Francisco Bay Area. A major shift in purpose occurred in 1999, when NCBC went online (ncbc.net) and developed an “offsite distance-learning program.”
Our distance-learning center has been designed to accommodate the working student or military service person who face both time and distance restrictions. With courses available through Zoom or online, students can study at the time and place of their convenience. Commuters can listen on the way to work without having to take notes, knowing that each course comes with an extensive Course-Notebook, which contains a virtual copy of the professor’s notes. Classes have been designed to avoid tedious memorization and to promote creative thinking. Self-pacing allows students to work at their own speed, while still holding to a defined schedule of completion and regular interaction via email with the instructor.
Many of our students are full-time teachers in Christian schools associated with ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International). NCBC’s courses are approved by ACSI to satisfy the Certification requirements comprised of ‘continuing education units’ (CEUs). Throughout the past 50 plus years we have tried to maintain an evangelical yet contemporary approach to the study of the Bible, while believing in the present-day activity of the Holy Spirit. If you are sensing the call to increase your biblical knowledge, or perhaps ‘tool-up’ for a future career in ministry, Northern California Bible College can help provide you with a strong biblical foundation at a very reasonable price.
Emeritus President, David G. Sell
“Our off-site distance learning-center has been designed to accommodate the working student who faces both time and distance restrictions.”
Welcome
Pastor Greg Holsclaw
president’s message
President’s annual
letter for 2023
President Greg Holsclaw
2023 began with promise as the new Master’s program entered its second term with enrollment nearly at the levels before the world pandemic.
Fortunately, the pandemic actually helped advance the mission of Northern Calif. Bible College; we were forced to put all of our classes on Zoom livestream. Our Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Tracy Holsclaw, along with Dr. Dan Griffiths, the Head of Faculty have continued to expand our Distance Learning Course offerings.
Having achieved full accreditation in 2021, and expanded as a Category 3 institution with the approval of our Master’s program in 2022, we are seeking the Lord on where new expansion will come from. Growing our undergraduate and graduate programs is still an ongoing focus.
From an aerial view, even though the effort has been a sizable challenge, I believe the school will be a much better institution as the result of these changes. All of our publications have been updated, more voices have been called to speak into things, “expected course outcome” have been added to every syllabus, student and graduate surveys have been conducted, and our Master Assessment Plan has been completely revamped.
Regarding the financials, the school continued to remain in the black; however, it has become clear to the financial committee that a long-term plan must go into effect to solicit donations from donors. In order for the school to accomplish all that God has called us to, we need more income than what comes in from tuition alone. We have also decided to shift from a calendar year budget to a fiscal year budget (July 1 – June 30) which began in 2021. Also, Pastor Mike Garcia decided to end his tenure as a beloved board member, and DJ Bahl was voted onto the Board June 2023.
The attendance of the college continues to rise, particularly with the advent of Zoom livestream classes. With the help of Populi, we are able to provide a count of around 100 enrolled students and 50 auditors, giving us the highest number of students in NCBC’s history: 249 students. We thank God for His increase.
Dr. Dan Griffiths continues to join Dr. Tracy Holsclaw in teaching all the new Master’s classes. Their emphasis has been upon the supernatural, offering courses on Healing, the Prophetic, and Spiritual Freedom, alongside Christology, Pneumatology and other theology classes.
Pastor Wayne Mancari continues to draw students from Cathedral of Faith, particularly those called to professional ministry. So far, 16 of the paid pastoral staff of Cathedral of Faith are all graduates of NCBC.
The college continues to seek the Lord in how to advance. One area of consideration is to create a Spanish language offering for our courses, as well as expand our General Education offerings to make the AA in Biblical Studies more attractive to younger students (see our Firm Foundations Initiative).
And thank you to all of you who have worked so hard to bring NCBC to where it is today!
Blessings upon 2024 and you and your family!
President Greg Holsclaw
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