Grace Bible College has undergone a name change and is now known as Grace Christian University.

Different Name, Same Bible College

Graduating courageous ambassadors for Christ who make an eternal impact wherever they go.

We live in a world where objective Truth is not popular. We believe that every Christ-follower should have the opportunity to be educated with God’s Word as the standard. Grace Christian University exists to teach, train, and equip students to be courageous ambassadors for Christ amidst a world of confusion and compromise.

Our History

Grace Christian University began in 1939 as an evening Bible institute, led by Charles F. Baker. It was an outgrowth of the late 19th-century Bible college movement. Initially, the main purpose of Grace was to train Sunday School teachers and church members of the Fundamental Bible Church, which was led by Pastor Charles F. Baker in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

In 1945, the program expanded to a day school called Milwaukee Bible Institute, which was founded by John C. O’Hair, a teacher of ultra-dispensationalism. In 1853, it was then renamed Milwaukee Bible College as curricular options were added. Charles Baker served as president at this time.

In 1961, the college moved from Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Wyoming, Michigan, a suburb of Grand Rapids. Its name was changed to Grace Bible College. Grace was granted authority from the State of Michigan to give Associate and Bachelor of Religious Education degrees, as well as a five-year degree for vocational ministers.

In 1967, Grace received accreditation from the Association of American Biblical Colleges, now called the Association of Biblical Higher Education. Since then, the degree programs have expanded to include Associate of Arts degrees, Bachelor of Science degrees and Master of Arts degrees.

In 2010, Grace began offering online education, allowing students to continue with their education exclusively online.

In 2017, the college’s name was officially changed from Grace Bible College to Grace Christian University by a unanimous vote of the Board of Directors. Officially, the change took place on July 1, 2018.

Grace Christian University incorporates the study of the Bible as a core value in every degree program.

Successive presidents of Grace have been Jack T. Dean, Samuel Vinton, Jr., Bruce Kemper, and Ken B. Kemper, who is the current president.

More information about Grace Christian University