History

After graduation in 1973 from seminary in Lebanon, Dr. Magdy Ghabbour immigrated to the USA, to further his education in the field of secular psychology. God in His providence used three Godly elderly ladies from Lexington NC., Sarah Snider, Helen Brewer, and Lizzie Comer to introduce him to a Bible-believing church, Sheets Memorial Baptist, where he for the first time was exposed to the sound teaching and preaching of the Word of God.  This changed Dr. Ghabbour’s life. Instead of studying psychology, he attended Piedmont Baptist College and graduated with a degree in Biblical Studies.

Ever since Dr. Ghabbour was exposed to the fundamental teaching of the Word of God he was burdened to take that teaching to his fellow pastors and Christian workers in the limited access countries. In 1987 he started making teaching trips to the Middle East.

In 1998, Frankie Matthews, pastor of Sheets Memorial Baptist Church, and Magdy Ghabbour discussed organizing a Mission Board to take training to Middle Eastern countries. Other men were counseling Dr. Ghabbour in a similar fashion. An Ad Hoc committee was organized to investigate the possibility of facilitating college training in limited access countries.

In 2000, the mission board, Baptist Equipping Nationals (BEN), was established based on the teaching of 2 Timothy 2:2. “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also”

In 2002, BEN partnered with Piedmont Baptist College to open the first modular training in Egypt and graduated its first students with a Master of Biblical Studies four years later.

In 2006, BEN determined that a college of its own needed to be formed, and this led to the development of NTCGS, National Theological College and Graduate School.  That same year NTCGS began its preliminary classes in Egypt.

As the college grew, it became apparent that this training was needed in other countries. 2008 saw the beginning of the program in Jordan. Pastors and Christian workers were thrilled to receive this training through modular classes.

2011 saw the opening of NTCGS in Lebanon. This was a strategic move as the college permitting the college to bring training to MBBs (Moslem Background Believers). This was not allowed in the other two countries. NTCGS also welcomed Syrian believers, who crossed the border to join the training.

Dr. Clay Nuttall brought further leadership to the BEN ministry. He served as the second president till his home-going in 2018. His burden was to bring accurate theological training to the Middle East. Dr. Nuttall shared, “The nationals who I met, stole my heart. These marvelous people have zeal I’ve never seen before, but very little knowledge of a theology that is biblical. They know about the Bible but know very little of the Bible.”

NTCGS had membership with two accrediting agencies: The Middle East and North Africa Association of Theological Education (MENATE), and the Asian Theological Association (ATA). In 2013, MENATE granted accreditation for the Master of Biblical Studies degree.

Pastor Frankie Matthews was named as the third President of Baptists Equipping Nationals. He took office in August of 2019 with the goal of furthering the training ministry of NTCGS.

2020 saw the countries in the Middle East close because of the Covid pandemic. Although NTCGS classes have traditionally been held in-person, to continue the training, the college offered classes online. Also, MENATE granted further accreditation for the undergraduate program and ATA granted accreditation for both the graduate and undergraduate programs.

In-person classes began again in 2022. Graduation ceremonies were held for both the undergraduate and graduate students. The college now has over 400 graduates, and these students are fulfilling the Great Commission in many countries in the Middle East and North Africa.