Berean Baptist Bible College & Seminary
It was in the year 1956 that the Lord brought together two of His servants – Dr. Jake Johnson and Dr. Jacob Chelli. They talked about and discussed at great length the need to open a fundamental Bible College in India dedicated to the task of teaching the truths of the Word of God without fear or compromise.
Berean Baptist Bible College opened its doors in Bombay in November 1956, under the able leadership of Dr. J. A. Johnson. Classes for part-time students commenced that year and full-time and part-time students were accepted in the following years. To meet the growing demand for theological studies a branch of the college was opened in Bangalore in 1961. From a humble beginning of 3 part time students, the student strength has risen to over 763 full time students and is currently 650 in the 2006-2007 academic year. Over the past 50 years 4,300 students have graduated and are serving the Lord in different parts of India, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan, Manipur, Assam, Arunal Pradesh, Nigeria and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
In the beginning, the college rented buildings but it became increasingly difficult to do so. God in His mercy graciously opened the way for the college to acquire nearly 2 acres of land in the heart of Bangalore. The previous owner, an old missionary, Mr. Merritt, had the vision and prayed that a Bible College would someday stand upon his property. God did answer his prayer. Although the land was acquired, there were no proper buildings. There were only some old dilapidated buildings which kept collapsing and falling down with a loud thud even as we watched. In 1971 the first small dormitory-cum-library was built. This was called Seanor Hall, in honor of Dr. Paul Seanor who encouraged Dr. Chelli to step out in faith. In the next year Johnson Hall was built. Thereafter two big dormitory buildings were constructed one for the boys and one for the girls. In 1974 the foundation was laid for the church building. However it took a couple of years to complete this with the Lord’s help. At the time it was considered a big church and adequate for the student strength. However, today this building is becoming small for the great influx of students that the college has had.
Thereafter the Lord enabled the college to build a five-story administrative and classroom building. We now have sufficient classrooms in which to hold the classes and we thank the Lord for this.
Presently we are now in the midst of construction of a five-story dining hall and dormitory building. This building has been dedicated to the memory of Dr. Jacob Chelli. This building will enable us to provide accommodation for 1,000 students.
All this would not have been possible without the untiring efforts of the late Dr. Jacob Chelli. He ceaselessly campaigned for the ministry and toiled before the Lord on his knees. Dr. Jake Johnson and Dr. Allan Ironside stalwarts of the ministry joined with him in prevailing prayer and all obstacles were removed, needs met and today you see the College as it stands: a memorial to the faithfulness of God.