General Information

Name of the Institution

The name of the Bible College and Seminary was derived from the founding church, the Maple Springs Baptist Church.                      

History of the Institution 

Maple Springs Baptist Bible College and Seminary was founded in 1986 by  Dr. C.A. McDonald, Sr., Pastor of the Maple Springs Baptist Church, to help provide trained personnel for the propagation of the Gospel.  Dr. McDonald appointed Dr. Larry W. Jordan, the Minister of Education of the Maple Springs Baptist Church; to develop and implement the programs required to establish the Maple Springs Baptist Bible College and Seminary.  Dr. Jordan designed and implemented the curriculum to prepare for the ministry those who have had no previous undergraduate training in the biblical area as well as those who have completed an undergraduate degree.

The Maple Springs Baptist Bible College and Seminary is an independent, fundamental, conservative, and for the most part, local church oriented Institution, meeting the need for leadership in an ever-changing society.  The College and Seminary is Baptist, both in belief and practice.  It is committed unreservedly to the verbal‑plenary view of inspiration believing every Word of the Bible to be the inspired Word of God.  We are committed to the defense and proclamation of the Scriptures, upon which all true education has its foundation.

On October 20, 1989, the Maryland State of Higher Education Commission authorized the Maple Springs Baptist Bible College and Seminary to grant the Associate in Arts Degree in Biblical Studies, the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biblical Studies, the Master of Ministry, the Master of Arts in Biblical Studies, the Master of Arts in Church Administration, the Master of Arts in Christian Counseling, the Master of Divinity, the Master of Theology, the Doctor of Ministry and the Doctor of Theology.

MSBBC&S held its first annual graduation exercises May 25, 1990.  It awarded five (5) Evangelical Training Association Adult Education certificates, one (1) bachelor’s degree, five (5) master degrees, and granted one (1) Honorary Doctor of Humanities degree.

On November 14, 1990, the Maple Springs Baptist Bible College and Seminary became an Adult Education member of the Evangelical Training Association.  As such, the college and seminary is authorized to grant Evangelical Training Association certificates.  The college and seminary offers three Evangelical Training Association certificates: (1) The Foundational Church Ministries Certificate, (2) The Standard Church Ministries Certificate, and (3) The Advanced Church Ministries Certificate; and three diplomas: (1) Associate Teachers Diploma, (2) Standard Teachers Diploma, and Graduate Teachers Diploma. 

The Maple Springs Baptist Bible College and Seminary underwent an administrative re-organization effective January 13, 1991.  Effective December 31, 1990, Dr. C.A. McDonald, Sr. resigned as President of the Maple Springs Baptist Bible College and Seminary to devote full time to the pastorate. 

Dr. Larry W. Jordan was appointed interim President, Dr. Vivian E. Bess was appointed interim Vice President for Academic Affairs and Mrs. Jerrye B. Feliciana was appointed interim Vice President for Administration.  On October 24, 1992, Dr. Larry W. Jordan became the second president of the Maple Springs Baptist Bible College and Seminary, Dr. Vivian E. Bess became Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dr. Jerrye B. Feliciana became Vice President for Administration.

On September 24, 1992, Maple Springs Baptist Bible College and Seminary was granted Associate Status with the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS), a national accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education.  Associate status is designed for institutions wishing to be identified with TRACS based on meeting the requirements of BIBLICAL STANDARDS only, which meet the eligibility requirements and submit a letter of intent as to its future with TRACS.  The purpose of this level of recognition is to enable new and developing institutions to come under the guidance of TRACS with the goal of moving toward accredited affiliation as soon as possible and to provide a way for institutions which hold accredited status with nationally recognized accrediting agencies to identify and work with TRACS without seeking accredited level status.

On February 5, 1993, Maple Springs Baptist Bible College and Seminary became a corporation.

On March 20, 1993, the structure of MSBBC&S changed to two major divisions, Maple Springs Baptist Bible College and Maple Springs Baptist Bible Seminary, and an adult education division.  In 1993, two Academic Deans were appointed; one for each of the two major divisions with the adult education component reporting directly to the Vice President for Academic Affairs.  Dr. Sandra Shands-Strong was appointed Dean of the College and Dr. Emanuel D. Chatman was appointed Dean of the Seminary.  All Evangelical Training Association programs were moved to the continuing education division.

Separate catalogs were developed for each division.

On January 14, 1994, MSBBC&S received tax exempt status under IRS Section 501(c)(3).

In 1994, MSBBC&S changed from a quarter to a semester system. 

On February 23, 1995, the MSBBC&S was awarded Candidacy Status in the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools.  Maple Springs Baptist Bible College and Seminary is a candidate for accreditation with TRACS, which indicates that an institution has achieved initial recognition and is progressing toward, but is not assured of, accreditation.  It has provided evidence of sound planning and the resources to implement its plans and appears to have the potential for attaining its goals within a reasonable time. 

On September 20, 2000, the Maple Springs Baptist Bible College and Seminary was accredited by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) as a category IV institution.  The Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools is listed in the United States Department of Education as a nationally recognized institutional accrediting agency serving Christian undergraduate and graduate institutions of higher learning.  TRACS offices are located in Forest, Virginia, and may be contacted by writing to TRACS, PO Box 3281, Forest Virginia 24551 or by calling (804) 525-9539.