....The Free Gospel Bible Institute was born during the July 1957 camp meeting held in Export, PA. We trust that this historic event will never be forgotten. It was marked by the mighty moving of God's Spirit. From the very beginning of this camp meeting a spirit of expectancy pervaded the atmosphere as the blessing of the Lord flooded the hearts of His people.

....The Board of Trustees of the Free Gospel Church, Inc. met regularly during this camp meeting. On July 10 our board meeting was scheduled for 11:00 p.m., and among other business, we were happy to discover that a financial settlement had been made with the Casley estate in connection with monies owed to the Free Gospel Church, Inc. We further discussed where we felt this money would be spent. Foremost in our minds was the poor condition of our tabernacle which had served so well and had been a fount of blessing down through the years. We knew that it would now have to be replaced. As we discussed this building in a prayerful attitude, other questions came to our minds. Would it be wise to put much money in this tabernacle which we used only three weeks out of the year? What would be the full purpose of this tabernacle in the future? We discussed the desperate need of a spiritual center and how it seemed a shame that such beautiful grounds should be used but once a year at camp meeting time. We then discussed the possibility of a more substantial building which should be used more frequently.

....Suddenly, the Spirit of the Lord arose in one of our members in a message in tongues and interpretation saying that we were to "Arise and build and that with haste". The need for a Bible institute to train young men and women for the work of the Lord was then thrust upon us, followed by a ministry in the Spirit encouraging us that, although we would be tested, God would meet the needs. The Spirit of the Lord seemed so to envelope us that the entire Board of Trustees was lost in the blessings of the hour.

....At 1:30 a.m., time having slipped by so quickly, we felt it was time to close the business session as God had proclaimed His will. However, as we left the dining hall where we had held our meeting, we became aware that several people had gathered outside and the blessing of the Lord began to fall. In the midst of this atmosphere, the Board of Trustees felt that it would be wise to call the people together, even at this unusual hour to tell them what the Lord had proclaimed to us.

....Two a.m. found the service under way and more and more of a congregation gathered in as the Glory of God swept in wave after wave over the people. As the Board of Trustees began to tell what God had spoken to us, the Spirit of God fell spontaneously throughout the audience, the Holy Spirit confirming exactly what we had been told in the business session. How blessed and reassuring it is when God confirms His Word in the mouths of many witnesses. It was at this meeting that many questions were settled in our minds. The foremost question was, where would this Institute building be located? Under a mighty demonstration of the Holy Spirit, one of our ministers arose and proclaimed in such a positive manner that our dear old tabernacle had served its purpose and was to be torn down, providing the site for the Institute.

....Here on this hallowed spot where so many had communed with God, where so many heard and obeyed the call of God for Christian service, would be erected to God's glory, a great monument of faith, the Free Gospel Bible Institute.

....When God speaks He leaves nothing to vain speculation; thus we were instructed by the Holy Spirit that the doors should be opened to all blood washed young men and women who felt the call of God upon their lives. The work was to be maintained strictly by faith.

....As the congregation sat transfixed in an atmosphere charged by God's mighty power, the Lord began to move upon the hearts of the people to give of their finances that the work might be commenced at the earliest possible date. One by one they arose, many weeping, many magnifying God in the Spirit. What a moving site to behold! No begging and no pressure was placed upon the people to urge them to give. When the pledges and offerings were counted we found with delight that the sum of $2,300 had been received. So blessed had been God's presence that all were reluctant to retire to their cottages. Yet, all knew that this night was just the beginning of great things to come.

....Saturday, December 28, 1957 marked the ground breaking service for this new venture, directed by the Institute's first president, Rev. Arnold F. Waring.

....The Free Gospel Bible Institute officially opened its doors in October, 1958, under the authorization and supervision of the Board of Trustees of the Free Gospel Church, Inc.

....Rev. David J. Beam, president of the Bible Institute since 1962, comes from New Jersey and later Youngstown, Ohio, where he pastored the Free Gospel Church for 15 years. It was in 1967, with increasing responsibilities of the Bible Institute, that God directed him to resign his pastorate and become the full-time resident president.

....The definite leading to build a Bible Institute, which occurred in 1957, has been supported by succeeding miraculous occurrences. One of the most outstanding of these was witnessed early in 1973. Crowded dormitory conditions had hampered effective growth of the institute.

....In January, the Board of Trustees were again motivated by the Holy Spirit to launch an expansion program. This resulted in sacrificial gifts amounting to $27,000.00 in nine weeks. With this confirmation, immediate steps were taken to bring into being the new building complex that is presently in use on the Institute grounds. A second historic ground breaking launched this project on graduation day, May 19, 1973. A genuine sense of urgency overcame all obstacles and the structure became a reality in record time. The total amount raised before our mortgage was obtained was an amount of $50,000.00, so that only $200,000.00 was borrowed on this new building.

....In 1985, we began negotiating for 14 acres of adjoining property. Another miracle was imminent! When the needed amount of over $43,000.00 was supplied to acquire this property, we were able to pay cash for the additional acreage, bringing our total acreage to 20.43 acres.

....In 1990, the Institute felt the direction of the Lord to begin the building of a new men's dormitory. Through donations of both labor and finance this building was completed and made ready for occupation, debt-free. The $130,000 dorm is capable of housing 36 young men. We thank the Lord for the expansion of the work.

....In the Fall, 1995 construction of a 7,600 sq. ft. library was started. This spacious facility will be dedicated to research and study activities. Estimated costs stand at $300,000.00.

....On October 15, 1998, after 36 years of dedicated service to Free Gospel Bible Institute, the Lord called Dr. David J. Beam home to Heaven. He was a man sent from God whose life deeply affected countless numbers of students, ministers and others around the world. Due to his significant role in the history of Free Gospel Bible Institute, a Board decision was made to dedicate the new library to his memory, to be known as the David J. Beam Memorial Library.

....In the absence of Dr. Beam, Rev. Kenneth R. Roles, Assistant to the President for fifteen years, was appointed by the Board of Directors to serve as Administrator of the Institute, which position he held until May 1999, when Rev. Garry R. Smith was elected as the new President of FGBI. 

....One more great miracle in the history of FGBI took place on May 18, 2001 when the completed David J. Beam Memorial Library was dedicated to the Lord. Many people labored, prayed and gave to make this possible and now it is a blessed reality!

....At the May 2001 meeting of the Board of Directors the resignation of President Garry R. Smith was accepted with regrets. The work of an appointed Search Committee was concluded on August 6, 2001 in a meeting of the Board of Directors at which time Rev. Thomas I. Peretic was elected the next President of Free Gospel Bible Institute.

....The Lord continues to demonstrate His miraculous works, His mighty Pentecostal outpouring, a revival of Holiness, and a spirit of Evangelism in the midst of this work. The vision lives on with the assurance that Free Gospel Bible Institute 'came not by the will of man', but rather: 'This is the Lord's doing and it is marvelous in our eyes.'

....Thus, is demonstrated the miraculous working of God in days of skepticism and apostasy. And tomorrow, who can tell? This only we know, the end is not yet! Plans are now being made for the future buildings needed at FGBI. We are waiting for His direction. When he speaks, we are ready to venture forth and follow His command by Faith.

"THIS IS THE LORD'S DOING AND IT IS MARVELOUS IN OUR EYES."

See Additional History of FGBI AT:

David J. Beam Memorial Page

Continuing History of FGBI -1
Continuing History of FGBI -2