HISTORY

Rocky Mountain Bible College and Seminary grew out of a burden Jonathan and Maybelle Smith had concerning the need for a Bible college in the Denver metro area. Prior to founding RMBC Jonathan was employed at Western Bible College as a full-time Instructor of Bible in the Bible/Theology and Contemporary Society Department (1977-85). In 1985 a merge between Western Bible College and Rockmont College created Colorado Christian College (now Colorado Christian University) where Jonathan became Professor and Chairman of the Bible and Theology Department (1985-88).

With this burden in mind, in September 1991, Jonathan and Maybelle Smith and Greg Stier co-founded Tandem Ministries (with Jonathan as president). Tandem College and Warriors for Christ were subdivisions of Tandem Ministries. In 1995 Tandem Ministries was renamed to Dare 2 Share and Tandem College became Rocky Mountain Bible College to reflect its purpose and geographi­cal location. Later that same year the name Rocky Mountain Seminary was acquired and added to the name of the college, expanding the education opportunities to include seminary education.

In the summer of 2003 Dr. Stephen R. Lewis would be appointed as the second president of Rocky Mountain Bible College and Rocky Mountain Seminary. Dr. Lewis had been in ministry for 30 years and prior to his arrival at RMBC/RMS he had been the Academic Dean of Chafer Theological Seminary, served as senior pastor in two churches in California, as an Associate Academic Dean and Professor at Corban University, taught at three other seminaries, had lectured in Singapore, Trinidad, and Tobago over the years, and had published a number of papers, articles, and books.

In 2003 RMBC relocated to Englewood, Colorado. In 2007 the Master of Theology (Th.M.) Program was begun and added to the existing Master of Arts in Biblical Studies (M.A.B.S.) to prepare the graduate students for advanced language and biblical studies. 

Dr. Earl D. Radmacher, longtime friend and colleague of the school, became the Chancellor in 2010 and donated his extensive theological library to be merged with the existing library.

In 2015 the RMBC Global Program was begun in collaboration with BEE World. This new program allows BEE World Facilitators around the world to obtain Practical Ministry certificates and degrees from RMBC.

From about 2017-2020 the school was largely dormant, and in early 2020 looked toward revitalizing. As Dr. Lewis became the Chancellor in mid-2020 after nearly two decades of faithful service as President, Dr. Christopher Cone was appointed in Summer of 2020 to lead the school in a relaunch.

Dr. Cone had previously served in a number of academic and leadership roles, including as President of AgathonEDU and Vyrsity, Calvary University, and Tyndale Theological Seminary, and as Chief Academic Officer at Southern California Seminary. Dr. Cone has also served as Research Professor at Vyrsity, Calvary U, and Southern California Seminary, as Professor at Tyndale Theological Seminary, Southern Bible Institute, Central Texas College, and as Teaching Fellow at the University of North Texas. He has served as a pastor for a decade, and has written and edited nearly 20 books.

In the Fall of 2020, CBU added more than 20 faculty, and RMBC relaunched as Colorado Biblical University and became a partner of AgathonEDU. In the Summer of 2021, CBU acquired its first campus in Fort Morgan, Colorado, and relocated its operations there. A few months later CBU launched CBU Academy, led by Superintendent Marty Cochran and in partnership with Riverview Christian School. In Fall of 2021 CBU was granted authorization by the State of Colorado to grant degrees. During the 2021-2022 academic year CBU and CBUA completed their first full year of operations.

In January of 2024, Fort Collins Bible College merged with Colorado Biblical University. Fort Collins Bible College began after 10 years of prayer and planning by Dr. Bradley Maston in Fort Collins, Colorado. There was no local, affordable, biblical training institute that would prepare believers for a lifetime of service. The flashpoint occurred in 2021 when Benjamin Coleman, Samuel Casack, Pastor Jacob Heaton, and missionary Wes Tucker joined the cause and provided instruction and guidance. 

This began months of market research and exploration into State requirements. The curriculum designed to expose the student to the basics of Bible interpretation, exegesis/exposition, Biblical theology, biblical worldview, world religions, and apologetics. The curriculum offered an intense two years that was sure to transform the students’ lives. 

Professor E Dane Rogers joined the faculty and became the head of the Theology Department adding a new level of depth to the faculty. The demanding academic levels of the course work proved to be challenging but rewarding for students. It was obvious that the work of Fort Collins Bible College was beginning to bloom in its calling and importance in the body of Christ, but the needs were outstripping the administrational supply lines. 

It was at this point that Dr. Christopher Cone of Colorado Biblical University reached out to Dr. Maston. Prayerful exploration revealed the advantages of working together. The infrastructure and resources of CBU met the needs of FCBC and a merger was finalized in January of 2024. This merger saw the inclusion of the FCBC program and faculty into the CBU family. Dr. Maston became executive vice president of CBU and Ben Coleman joined the staff to serve as the CFO. It is a great fulfillment of every dream and goal that founded Fort Collins Bible College to see what the Lord began find fruition and continuation in the mission of Colorado Biblical University.