Enriching the Mind, Inspiring the Heart

The Fundamental Baptist Bible Institute was chartered in March of 1939. This institution was born in the heart of Dr. Louis Entzminger. He began with sixteen students in the "upper room" at First Baptist Church located at 4th. and Throckmorton in downtown Fort Worth.

The first year Dr. Entzminger was the only full-time professor. Dr. Norris and Dr. Luther Peak gave special lectures throughout the school year.

The curriculum was expanded from the Bible conferences, and the length of the term was changed to eight months plus a two-month summer term.

The first graduates were Oscar Wells, John Birch and Ralph VanNortwick. Oscar Wells and John Birch went to China as missionaries. Bro. Wells, his wife and baby daughter went interned into a Japanese prison. John Birch was murdered. He was the first casuality of the "Cold War". He became the namesake of the ultra-conservative John Birch Society.

The first directors elected by the First Baptist Church were Dr. Norris, Dr. Entzminger and Dr. Peak. The students who came were not of the ordinary stripe of individuals that trained for the ministry in that day. They came from between the plow handles and out of the engine cabs. Most did not have the educational background necessary for professional seminary work. But they came, notheless, seeking training as missionaries, pastors and evangelists.

Presidents

Louis Entzminger 1939-2942

J. Frank Norris 1944-1947

Since its founding, there have been multiplied hundreds of graduates that have goven throughout the nation establishing churches, and throughout the world with great missionary activity.