1994, early part of the year – at the invitation of the Zaporozhye oblast senior pastor Pavel Metlenko,
Don Bruggman, representative of the American organization “Greater Europe Mission”, came to
Zaporozhye with the aim of organizing a Bible college in Zaporozhye.
1994, February – Mark and Joanne Mackey arrive in Zaporozhye together with Don Bruggman. After discussions
the decision is made: Mark Mackey is appointed director of the college; the mission drafts an academic
program; students will recruited for four departments: Pastoral Ministry, Preachers, Christian Education,
and Choir Directors.
1994, June – the first floor of a building at 38-A Sovkhoznaya is rented. Renovation of the premises are
undertaken by brothers and sisters of the local church. 1994, September 11 – the building is dedicated. Present at the service are
pastors, church members, students and interpreters.
1994, September 12 - The beginning of operations. 87 students, from the city of Zaporozhye and the surrounding region, are enrolled
at the college. Most of the students are actively ministering in churches.1996 – the school launched the process for accreditation
with the Euro-Asian Accreditation Association, of which the school had already been a member since the Association’s first
days.
1996 – the school awards diplomas to its first 55 graduates.2004, May 1 – the Diploma and Bachelor’s programs are grated
“candidate status” in the Euro-Asian Accreditation Association.
2006 – over the course of 12 years 573 students have been taught at the college.
2006, June – Vladimir Degtyaryov becomes ZBCS president. 2007 – the first graduation of students from the Bachelor of Pastoral
Ministry, Bachelor of Theology, and extension department Church Librarian programs.
2007, September – students of the extension-education department commence study in an entirely redesigned program.
Internet-based Bible courses are launched.
2008 – first graduation of students to have completed the Bachelor of Christian Education program.
Vladimir Gorbenko is appointed as Academic Dean.
2008, June – ZBCS relocates to premises belonging to the Central ECB Church of Zaporozhye.
2008, September 23 – under the leadership of ZBCS rector Vladimir Degtyaryov a service of dedication was conducted to launch
the construction of the college’s new building.
2012 – In the spring, ZBCS launched a Master of Theology program in partnership with Tyndale Theological Seminary (the Netherlands). Dr. Philipp R. Gottschalk serves as head of the program.
2012 – construction of the new ZBCS building is completed. October 6, a celebratory service is held to dedicate the building,
with many ZBCS graduates in attendance.
2014, October 11 – at the Central ECB Church of Zaporozhye a celebratory service is held, with prayers of thanksgiving to God for His
blessings throughout ZBCS’s 20 years of ministry.
2015 – the first graduation of students completing the Church Ministry Program at our off-site teaching locations in Dnipro and
Nikopol, as well as the first graduation of students from the Ministry to the Deaf Program.
2016 – the number of ZBCS graduates exceeds 800.
2017 – ZBCS's first graduation ceremony conferring Master of Theology degrees.