MOUNT HOPE, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Seventy-five years ago, in a small church in tiny Pettus, West Virginia, a group of seven students gathered to deepen their understanding of how to serve the Lord. What began as a few small classes at Pettus Baptist Church has since grown into Appalachian Bible College (ABC)—a thriving institution rooted in its original mission to train servants for the Church.
As the college marks its 75th anniversary, ABC President, Dr. Daniel Anderson, reflected on its remarkable journey. “It all began 75 years ago with no campus, no buildings—just students meeting in a church basement,” Anderson shared. “But even back then, there was a strong sense that God had something special in store.”
The turning point came during a series of articles published in the Beckley newspapers highlighting what the region needed to grow and thrive. One article that stood out said that the city needed a Bible school. Pastor Curtis Whaley, a commuter student at the time, brought the article to ABC’s founding president, Dr. Lester Pipkin. That single moment of vision led to the purchase of an old dairy farm on the edge of Beckley, which would become ABC’s permanent home.
“The land was sold to us at a modest cost because, frankly, we had no money,” Anderson said. “But the community came together. They believed in what we were doing and raised the necessary funds. For the first 20 years, the school rented the land—after that, it became our own.” Today, the only remaining structure from that original dairy farm is the small white house that still stands at the entrance of the campus. “It tells the story not just of ABC, but of a community that believed in gospel-centered education,” Anderson said.
Over the decades, ABC has remained firm in its spiritual foundation. “We haven’t wavered in our mission, and the Lord has sustained us,” Anderson said. “This campus doesn’t exist to make headlines—it exists to equip students to serve. If a school trained telegraph operators, it would’ve closed long ago. But the need for ministry, for truth, for the Church is timeless.”
One of the key distinctions of an education at ABC is its foundational philosophy. “Secular education often starts with man and his accomplishments,” Anderson explained. “But Biblical education starts with God. We view all truth as God’s truth, as given to us in the Bible.”
In a rapidly changing cultural landscape, where truth is often seen as fluid or relative, ABC remains steadfast. “Our approach says truth is absolute—anchored in the unchanging Word of God. That certainty offers direction in a world marked by uncertainty.”
Looking forward, Anderson remains optimistic. “There’s no need for our students to wonder if they’re needed in today’s world—they are. I can’t always promise a paycheck, but I can promise a calling and a purpose. Churches need pastors, missionaries, counselors, teachers—servants of the Lord.”
As Appalachian Bible College celebrates its 75th anniversary, the mission remains the same: to exist by God’s grace and for His glory to educate and equip servants for the Church of tomorrow while edifying the Church of today. Scripture says, “My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory.” That has been true for 75 years, and we believe it will remain true as we look to the future.
It has been a privilege and an honor to be part of the Beckley community, and we are grateful for the partnership through these years…because Life is for Service.
As West Virginia’s only accredited Bible College, Appalachian Bible College has been training men and women to serve in church-related ministries since 1950. ABC offers Bible Certificates, Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Arts, and Master of Arts programs, including online courses. The campus is located in beautiful Southern West Virginia just north of Beckley.
To learn more about the legacy and mission of ABC, you can visit their campus at 161 College Drive in Mount Hope, or explore their story online at www.abc.edu.
