How Charis Started
A Bible college was the last thing Andrew ever thought he would do. It’s not that he was opposed to a Bible college; it’s just that he had seen so many Bible college graduates become embarrassments to the kingdom of God. He didn’t want to have his name associated with a college that hadn’t prepared its students properly for ministry, and was convinced that academics alone wouldn’t get the job done.
However, the Lord had imprinted 2 Timothy 2:2 on Andrew’s heart. Paul was writing to Timothy and told him to take the things that he had learned and commit them to faithful men who would be able to teach others. Andrew felt frustrated in his attempts to accomplish this until 1993 when the Lord showed him a groundbreaking way to conduct a Bible college that would do more than just impart knowledge. This college would prepare men and women for ministry with a unique blend of the teaching of God’s Word and practical “on-the-job” training.
With the leading of the Holy Spirit, Andrew brought together a great teaching staff and Charis Bible College opened the doors with its first class in the fall of 1994. Since the establishment of the home base in Colorado Springs, CBC extension schools have been launched across America and around the world.