This unique educational institution is not new to Africa. The original vision for the university began in the hearts and minds of Dr. and Mrs. John W. Chinchen. After spending seven years training pastors in the interior of Liberia, the Chinchens realized the great need for colleges that would respond to the need of the large number of secondary school graduates in Africa. In 1978 the vision became reality when the first of the African Bible Colleges began in Liberia, West Africa. A second college opened in 1991 in the South-East African country of Malawi. In due time, both of these colleges were recognized by the governments of their respective countries as accredited, university-level, degree-granting institutions.