My story starts the same way many folks' probably does. I was looking for a cheap way to go back to school so on a lark I typed "free bible college" into Google. Central was the first result that came up. It looked good enough from the website so I applied and quickly received notice that I was accepted and could start in the fall. Eager to get out of the house and back to school, I was overjoyed and began packing up for the big move. At the time, Central's website didn't have some of the theological and doctrinal information it has now. If it had, I might never have gone. See, I was not a member of an Independent Christian Church and I didn't share some of their key beliefs, mainly those about baptism. If I had at least been aware of them, it would have saved me a lot of grief once I got there. Even now these beliefs are semi-hidden on the website and kind of vague. Many students not familiar with the non-denominational denomination probably don't even give them a second look or realize the ramifications and what they are about to get themselves into.

My first few weeks at Central went smoothly enough. I was 21 years old and forced to live in the dorms, but that was something I knew ahead of time. I also knew about all the various rules they had and the curfew for freshman, so I was prepared for those. What I wasn't prepared for was being told I was going to hell by a large number of students because I hadn't been immersed. When I first heard this I honestly thought it was a joke. I quickly realized it wasn't as I learned about other beliefs of those who were part of the Christian church. I was quickly labeled "faith only" and many of my fellow students made it their mission to "save" me. I tried my best to keep a low profile and not stir the pot too much so I wouldn't be noticed. Some of my other fellow "faith only" students weren't so lucky. One student who was a member of a pentecostal church was regularly accosted by large groups of "concerned" students trying to show him the error of his ways. He eventually left school. I would see this happen countless times over my three years at Central. If a student didn't align himself exactly with the unspoken official school doctrine, they were ganged up on until they either caved or were forced out. Those that manged to do neither were practically excommunicated from the social groups at school, but naturally this led to another social group being created. These groups were quickly labeled things like "problem people" (a label assigned to my particular group by a high level administrator at the school) and great efforts were made to force them in line or get out.

I quickly realized that Central wasn't a normal college. Free thought wasn't encouraged, it was discouraged. It was much more like indoctrination and training for a career in a very specific job field, that of a minister in an Independent Christian Church. If this is what you want to do, then Central probably is the place for you to go. But if it isn't, you might want to rethink your decision. No doubt some people will question my motives for doing this and will attack me. That is fine. I'm just trying to help that person out there that might not be exactly sure what they are getting into, just like I was. I think it would have saved me a lot of trouble. I'm not saying I hate Central or regret going there. If that was true, why would I have stayed and got my diploma? I guess hindsight has just given me a little more perspective and I want to share that.

I have more stories to tell and will be posting them in the future. But this site isn't about me. It's about you. If you have a story you would like to share, please sign up and do so. It doesn't have to be about Central. It can be about any Bible College. You don't have to use your real name. We just ask that you be honest. We also encourage open dialog which is why we have comments on the site. All we ask is that you keep it civil and on-topic. Thank you.