Freedom Bible College and Seminary

[A. Gray]

This school claims to require substantial work from it's students. In addition to their online offerings, they also have many resident branches. Freedom seems to have created its own accreditor. Do anyone have experience with this school?

[Jimmy Clifton]

This school claims to require substantial work from it's students. In addition to their online offerings, they also have many resident branches. Freedom seems to have created its own accreditor. Do anyone have experience with this school?

Have had no experince with this school but its accreditations are self accreditation and an accreditation by ACI which has a sordid past.

With with such national attention on diploma mills, degree mills, and unaccredited schools nowadays, and with so many accredited inexpensive theological schools available, I just don't see why anyone would want to earn a degree from a school not RA or NA, unless, unless, accreditation is not an issue with one's denomination or one's chosen career field.

[Foxtrotter]

Had the priviledge of going to their commencement program last year and am planning to go this year. They always seem to have excellent speakers; appear to be well accepted within certain non-denominational circles and are in the process of acquiring a rather large tract of land for building a campus complete with K thru 12 primary and secondary schools as well as their college and seminary programs, which reflects commitment to long-range plans. Their current facility, known in Rogers and the surrounding communities (Fayetteville, Siloam Springs and Springdale) as 'The Freedom Building", is impressive. I met the president, Dr. Joel Phillip Church and several faculty members, they couldn't have been nicer. Also, was priviledged to review several doctoral dissertations, which were, also, very impressive. Whether accepted by RA (or other types of accreditation oficionados) or not, they are undeniably dedicated to their cause and obviously goal oriented. Their programs are very inexpensive. :) God bless them, and you. Thanks for listening. Foxtrotter. (Ps., if you like, I'll give you an update after my June 23, 2005 visit).

[Jimmy Clifton]

Thanks Foxtrotter. We certainly would like to hear about your next visit. Freedom may well be a sincere effort to provide sound theological education. Their affiliations are not that reputable, however. Sometimes we're known by the company (ACI) we keep and must avoid all "appearances of evil."

By the way, what is your academic background, if I may ask? :)

[Jabbezzz]

Sometimes we're known by the company (ACI) we keep and must avoid all "appearances of evil."

Are you suggesting, Jimmy, that ACI has the appearance of evil? :D

[Jimmy Clifton]

Are you suggesting, Jimmy, that ACI has the appearance of evil? :D

Hi, Jabbezz,

Am really not sure about them today. They may have cleaned up their act but they used to be very sordid, in my opinion.

[Foxtrotter]

Dr. Cliffton: I attended Freedom Seminary's graduation excercises (again) this year (06/24/05), and thought it was very good. (Lots of other things going on besides commencement, re: state of affairs, ordination/licensing ceremonies, an address from the Mayor of Rogers, guest speakers and challenge meetings, etc.) Again, I reviewed several of the doctoral dissertations and found them to be, in my humble opinion, very porfessional. The commencement speaker was Dr. William Corley, President of North Tennessee Bible Institute and Seminary, which as you probably know, is a distance education program that has been around since 1970. NTBI&S became a branch of Freedom a couple of years ago. I had the priviledge of having lunch with Dr. Corley and several other dignataries. They are extremely dedicated to their objectives, which they say are primarily to train and equip men and women for the ministry. Dr. Corley says NTBI&S in not, and has immediate no plans to be, accredited by any accrediting agency, especially one that isn't recognized by the USDE...cudos to him. He also said he has encouraged Dr. Church (Freedom's President) to distance himself from such accrediting bodies. It will be interesting to see what happens. I must say, I have personally visited quite a few distance education programs and have met some very dedicated people, but non moreso than Drs. Corley and Church. Dr. Church was very ill and was unable to participate very much in the ceremonies. Dr. Corley is, to say the least, a very dynamic individual who believes in what he feels God has called him to do. He has presented a challenge to me that I am prayerfully considering. Please hold me up in your prayers as well.
Finally, like Dr. Corley said, "If you need a USDE approved school to meet your goals and objectives, more-than-likely NTBI&S and Freedom will be of little benefit to you, but if you want to get involved with a program that will require dedication, a godly commitment and will be spiritually rewarding, try either one of us". Thanks for listening. Foxtrotter

[Foxtrotter]

Dr. Cliffton: I attended Freedom Seminary's graduation excercises (again) this year (06/24/05), and thought it was very good. (Lots of other things going on besides commencement, re: state of affairs, ordination/licensing ceremonies, an address from the Mayor of Rogers, guest speakers and challenge meetings, etc.) Again, I reviewed several of the doctoral dissertations and found them to be, in my humble opinion, very porfessional. The commencement speaker was Dr. William Corley, President of North Tennessee Bible Institute and Seminary, which as you probably know, is a distance education program that has been around since 1970. NTBI&S became a branch of Freedom a couple of years ago. I had the priviledge of having lunch with Dr. Corley and several other dignataries. They are extremely dedicated to their objectives, which they say are primarily to train and equip men and women for the ministry. Dr. Corley says NTBI&S in not, and has no immediate plans to be, accredited by any accrediting agency, especially one that isn't recognized by the USDE...cudos to him. He also said he has encouraged Dr. Church (Freedom's President) to distance himself from such accrediting bodies. It will be interesting to see what happens. I must say, I have personally visited quite a few distance education programs and have met some very dedicated people, but non moreso than Drs. Corley and Church. Dr. Church was very ill and unable to participate very much in the ceremonies. Dr. Corley is, to say the least, a very dynamic individual who believes in what he feels God has called him to do. He presented a challenge to me that I am prayerfully considering. Please hold me up in your prayers as well.
Finally, like Dr. Corley said, "If you need a USDE approved school to meet your goals and objectives, more-than-likely NTBI&S and Freedom will be of little benefit to you, but if you want to get involved with a program that will require dedication, a godly commitment and will be spiritually rewarding, try either one of us". Thanks for listening. Foxtrotter

[Jimmy Clifton]

Thanks for the summary of your visit. It sounds like you had a wonderful time and are fully convinced this school is sincere. I appreciate that. I like the thought of distancing themselves form accrediting bodies that are really of no real value. This will be a great asset. Take care!