West Coast Baptist College - History

History

In July of 1986, Dr. Paul Chappell started a church in Antelope Valley in the Mojave Desert of Southern California. The church began to grow through an aggressive soulwinning program and Pastor Chappell's Bible-centered preaching.

In the spring of 1988, the church raised an initial $50,000 in a "Giving by Faith" banquet. This money provided the exact amount needed for the down payment on the first 20 acres of property located on the east side of town. The church and its ministries continued to expand, adding a bus ministry, several adult Bible classes, a radio ministry, a Spanish ministry, a Christian school, and a Bible institute. In December of 1993, the church moved to a new 21-acre site.

In 1995, Pastor Chappell and Lancaster Baptist Church approved the beginning of West Coast Baptist College, training laborers for the harvest. West Coast Baptist College started with Paul Chappell, Dr. John Goetsch (a renowned Baptist evangelist), and Dr. Mark Rasmussen (well-known Christian educator). Dr. Toby Weaver joined the staff and became the Dean of Students while his wife became the Dean of Women. Mike Lester joined the staff as the academic dean. Dr. Jerry Goddard is the Administrative Dean. In 2011, Dr. Mike Zachary joined the staff after earning his honorary doctorate from American Conservatory of Music.

Today the church owns 90 acres of property which have been master-planned for the church and college ministries.

Dr. Chappell had a great vision for the future work of Christ. Included in this vision was to one day start a Bible college to provide a place for people to receive a Bible college education and to go forth into God's harvest field while there was still time to serve Christ. West Coast Baptist College opened its doors in September of 1995 to an energetic student body desiring to fulfill God's leading in their lives. Now after ten years, over 1,200 graduates circle the globe with hundreds of others training for ministry.