Our History

Both written records and personal recollections affirm that the original desire to establish a Bible college to meet the spiritual needs of the Indian population in Southeastern North Carolina was planted by God in many hearts. Originally known as Eastern Indian Bible Institute, Lumbee River Christian College was founded in Fayetteville, North Carolina in January 1968, approved and supported by Assemblies of God US Missions. For over nine years, night classes were held in three churches in the Section: Fayetteville Assembly of God, Faith Assembly of God in St. Pauls, and Shannon Assembly of God.

In 1975, one hundred acres of land, located in Shannon, North Carolina, was purchased for a campus site. In 1978, a multipurpose building was constructed, containing classrooms, offices, a library, and a chapel. In 1990, the Charles Cookman Residence Hall was completed. In 1993, the College moved from a North Carolina District sponsored school to a regional school, sponsored by five Southeastern Districts of the Assemblies of God. In 1994, the Board of Directors changed the name of the school from Eastern Indian Bible Institute to Native American Bible College. The same year, a cafeteria was added to the campus. In 1998, a classroom building with a seating capacity of 150 students was completed, and the original multipurpose building was remodeled. In 2000, the multipurpose building was enlarged to accommodate the expanding library. In 2001, a chapel (later named Peter Knutsen Chapel) was erected. In 2006, a second dormitory, including a student center, was completed.

Beginning with night classes, LRCC instituted a three-year diploma day program in 1977. In the Fall semester of 2001, the College began offering an Associate of Religious Education degree, and in the Fall semester of 2004, the College began offering a four-year Bachelor of Religious Education degree. LRCC had its first Bachelor of Religious Education degree graduates in Spring 2005. In 2017 the college was accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education and in 2020 the college board made a decision to change the name from Native American Bible College to Lumbee River Christian College.