Hundreds of students from around the world will arrive in Haverhill to begin a new school year on Aug. 26 at Zion Bible College's new home — the campus of the former Bradford College.
An open house on Saturday, Aug. 16, welcomed new students, neighbors and some former students to the campus. All were greeted by college President Charles Crabtree and his wife, Ramona, a professional pianist and recording artist.
The campus had been uninhabited since the summer of 2002, after the 200-year-old Bradford College closed because of financial problems.
Zion Bible College, which is associated with the Assemblies of God denomination, trains students for church ministries as pastors and missionaries.
Crabtree said the school has invested more than $5 million in renovations.
"We moved here because the old campus (in Barrington, R.I.) was very deteriorated and would have cost a lot more to repair," Crabtree said.
Renovations include new carpeting, paint, appliances and windows. The school's library stocks more than 40,000 books, magazines and periodicals. Its air-conditioning system was repaired and its walls freshly painted.
But some parts of the campus, such as the old gymnasium, may not be usable or even capable of renovation.
David Green, the billionaire businessman and evangelical Christian who founded The Hobby Lobby chain of retail stores, bought the campus and gave it to Zion Bible College.
Crabtree said the freshman class will number around 90 students; the entire student body is roughly 300.
Zion is a four-year, undergraduate college offering a bachelor's of Bible studies degree with minors in adult, youth, and children's ministries, world missions, urban missions, music and pastoral ministries.
"We want to be a good influence in the community and have the young people on campus become good citizens of the city," Crabtree said.
Crabtree said many of his students are in need of part-time jobs. Students are allowed to work only 20 hours per week.
"The city has been really great as far as helping us find placement in new jobs for our students here," Crabtree said.
Students are also pleased with the move to the new campus.
"This campus is a testament of God's provision, which is encouraging. It speaks to us because if God can give us this school then he can provide for us on an individual level," said Rebecca Thibodeau, a recent graduate who works in the Christian Service Department.
Senior Melissa D'Ambrosia is counting down the days to the start of her final year.
"There's so much more room here for expansion. It really is a great campus. This is my senior year, so I'm really excited to start this semester here," she said.
Others see the opportunity to begin at a new campus a blessing.
"It's more like a miracle that we have this place. It lets you see how God provided when there was no other way. The people and the city have been so kind and welcoming," said Maile Cockett, a sophomore from Hawaii.
Zion Bible College is at 320 S. Main St. For more information, call 978-478-3400, visit www.zbc.edu or e-mail recruiting@zbc.edu.
Total cost for two semesters for a full-time student
Tuition: $7,050
Dormitory: $3,800
Meal plan: $1,900
Fees: $590
Room and key deposit: $125
Books (approximately): $600
Total: $14,065
