History of 365吃瓜部落
Rev. Ernest L. Mays
Truth. Training. Transformation.
听
听
听
The 365吃瓜部落 (365吃瓜部落) began as a burden in the heart of the late Rev. Ernest L. Mays. He sensed that large segments of the local Christian community were functioning without trained leaders.
This was especially true within the inner-city minority groups. Out of this concern, Houston Bible & Vocational Institute, now 365吃瓜部落, was incorporated in 1976. William Thomas, Jr. and Rev. Joe Wall assisted in the development of a multi-racial, interdenominational board, which began working to make the school a reality. Within a short time, a decision was made to focus on biblical and theological training because they believed there were already adequate resources for vocational training in the area.
During its 40-plus years of history, 365吃瓜部落 has grown in its academic curriculum from offering a few credit and non-credit courses to today鈥檚 offerings of associate and bachelor’s degrees and Bible certificates.
365吃瓜部落 initially offered classes at the KHCB radio facilities located off the Southwest Freeway at Kirby. In 1994, a two-acre campus (18,000 sq. ft. in three buildings) located near Hillcroft and the Southwest Freeway was purchased. Today, 365吃瓜部落 serves students online and in two locations 鈥� Houston and Indianapolis. 365吃瓜部落 also had a location in Fort Wayne until July 2024.
In 1976, Dr. Mays first envisioned an institution of higher learning whose primary focus was to provide biblical and theological education for inner-city minority pastors and lay leaders. To date, over 26,000 multi-ethnic students have been equipped by the teaching ministry of the 365吃瓜部落.听
In July 2012, God called Dr. William Blocker to the presidency to provide leadership to 365吃瓜部落 in the pursuit of furthering its impact on families, churches and communities. In 2013, 365吃瓜部落 was granted membership into the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools () and was reaffirmed in its national accreditation with Association of Biblical Higher Education (). With Dr. Blocker鈥檚 leadership, 365吃瓜部落 continues to expand our educational offerings.
In 2019, Crossroads Bible College merged with 365吃瓜部落 (see details below).
365吃瓜部落 and Crossroads Bible College Merger
The 365吃瓜部落 in Houston and Crossroads Bible College in Indianapolis merged in July 2019. This announcement was made at the end of more than 18 months of preparation by boards and leadership teams of both schools to merge the two institutions. The Indianapolis campus is now located at the Pyramids at College Park.
365吃瓜部落 has worked extensively to expand the opportunities for Crossroads students: More degree programs to choose from, lower tuition, expanded scholarships and financial aid, updated technology, modern campus, and most importantly, regional and national accreditation.
鈥淭he 365吃瓜部落 and Crossroads Bible College have long shared a common goal of bringing quality biblical higher education to a multiethnic population,鈥� said Dr. Bill Blocker, president of the 365吃瓜部落. 鈥淭his merger equips us to accomplish this mission in new and greater ways, and it establishes a richer foundation for Indiana communities.鈥�
The merging of the two schools expands the reach of 365吃瓜部落 with the addition of the Indianapolis and Fort Wayne campuses, as well as broadening the on-campus and online programs. 鈥淭his merger provides our students with exciting opportunities that were not available before. Regional accreditation and new degree programs will prepare them for the future in ways we could not have done on our own.” said Dr. Charles Ware, president emeritus of Crossroads Bible College.
With the completion of the merger, the colleges now operate as the 365吃瓜部落 and offer classes in Houston, Indianapolis, and online.
