Kentucky Mountain Bible College 
The information on this page was last updated 12/26/2023. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
Since 1931, KMBC has been training and equipping students for servant leadership in ministry. Kentucky Mountain Bible College challenges students to fully surrender their lives to God as they prepare for servant leadership in ministry.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Kentucky Mountain Bible College
855 Hwy 541
Jackson, KY 41339
Website: kmbc.edu
Phone: 606-693-5000
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 611103422
CEO/President: Rev. Robert D. Pocai, Ed.D.
Chairman:
Board size: 18
Founder: Dr. Lela G. McConnell and Rev. Martha L Archer
Ruling year: 1987
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 06/30
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 2022
Purpose
Kentucky Mountain Bible College challenges students to fully surrender their lives to God as they prepare for servant leadership in ministry.
Mission statement
Kentucky Mountain Bible College is a Bible-centered, undergraduate, higher education institution whose mission is to equip men and women to serve with:
a passion to know God
a passion to prepare for His ministry
a passion to live and teach the message of biblical holiness
and a passion to evangelize and disciple the world for Christ
Statement of faith
KMBC is committed to the Wesleyan interpretation of Christian doctrine and expects all faculty and staff members to annually affirm their allegiance to the doctrine, including the following positions:
The supreme authority, the divine, plenary inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, inerrant in the original.
One God, self-existent, revealed in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit who are co-equal and co-eternal.
The deity of Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, vicarious atonement, bodily resurrection and personal premillennial return.
The person and deity of the Holy Spirit.
The lost condition of man who was made in the image of God and by transgression fell.
The universal inheritance of depravity of soul and spiritual death.
Justification provided through Christ's atonement for all who repent and believe.
Entire sanctification as an instantaneous work of grace wrought in the believer through faith, subsequent to regeneration and witnessed to by the Holy Spirit: the heart is cleansed from all sin and filled with the pure love of the Holy Spirit.
Speaking in unknown tongues in public or private worship (including "prayer language") contradicts Biblical teaching. The practice or promotion of such is not permitted. (While we do not endorse modern charismatic practices, we do maintain warm hearted Christian fellowship with them).
The resurrection and glorification of the saints and the eternal punishment of the wicked.
The progressive growth in grace toward Christian maturity through a consistent Christian life of faith and good works.
The ordinances instituted by Christ: water baptism and the Lord's Supper.
A Biblical view regarding marital faithfulness and monogamy, requiring abstinence from promiscuity, fornication, and homosexual acts/lifestyle.
Sanctity of Marriage and Human Sexuality
The fundamental Biblical and philosophical goal of Kentucky Mountain Bible College is to develop students into mature, Christian individuals. Of necessity, this involves KMBC's understanding and belief of what qualities or characteristics exemplify a Christlike life (Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18).
We believe the Bible to be the inspired, authoritative Word of God. Therefore, everything we say and do must be under the guidance and authority of the Scriptures. Our integrity depends on consistent application of our commonly understood biblical truths (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Psalm 19:7-11; 2 Peter 1:20-21).
We uphold the sanctity of marriage as a God-ordained, special union between a man and a woman, where sexual relations are both honored and affirmed by God (Genesis 1:27-28, 2:24-25). The Bible teaches that all sexual unions outside of marriage, as thus defined, are sinful (Hebrews 13:4). When dealing with sexual sins, we have no alternative but to follow the teachings of Scripture, as we understand them, and consistently apply those teachings to both heterosexual and homosexual situations (Proverbs 6:29; Ephesians 4:17-24). We understand that sexual sins of all kinds stem fundamentally from an individual's brokenness, and it is God's intention to heal the broken and make us whole.
We understand the Bible to teach that we must oppose all sexual sin while demonstrating compassion for those who fall victim to it, distinguishing between the value and identity of each person as an individual, and the behavioral choices which some individuals make (Galatians 5:19-25; 1 Corinthians 7:1-3). We understand the Bible to differentiate between recognition of person-hood and rejection of those actions which it defines as immoral, while simultaneously extending forgiveness and healing to all who respond in believing faith to its universal offer of God's grace (John 8:3-11; Luke 15:10).
All KMBC students are expected to exhibit the Christlike qualities taught by Scripture and to refrain from activities or behavior that is contrary to those teachings. Therefore, KMBC retains the right to refuse enrollment to or to suspend any student who engages in sexual immorality, including any student who professes to be homosexual/bisexual or who is a practicing homosexual/bisexual, as well as any student who condones, supports, or otherwise promotes such practices (Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:24-32; 1 Corinthians 6:9-20; 1 Timothy 1:9-11).
Donor confidence score
Transparency grade
A
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Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Colleges/Universities
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 406 of 1104 | 53 of 129 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 382 of 1105 | 42 of 129 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 348 of 1105 | 41 of 129 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 676 of 1104 | 94 of 129 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 10% | 7% | 4% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 2% | 2% | 2% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 22% | 34% | 50% | 43% | 66% | 41% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 2% | 3% | 3% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 78% | 66% | 50% | 57% | 34% | 59% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 84% | 86% | 85% | 91% | 73% | 74% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 96% | 95% | 73% | 54% | 110% | 95% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 78% | 82% | 62% | 50% | 80% | 70% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 4% | 5% | 27% | 46% | -10% | 5% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 5% | 1% | 9% | 19% | -2% | 2% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 13% | 11% | 12% | 9% | 27% | 26% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 0.51 | 0.25 | 0.23 | 0.22 | 0.25 | 0.26 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 2.64 | 1.41 | 1.43 | 1.46 | 1.68 | 1.70 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.40 | 0.36 | 0.33 | 0.33 | 0.42 | 0.44 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 8.60 | 20.06 | 60.68 | 63.99 | 70.82 | 90.82 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.12 | 0.05 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.01 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 7.34 | 32.09 | 35.56 | 36.21 | 28.31 | 26.87 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 24% | 4% | 2% | 2% | 6% | 5% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 11% | 0% | 0% | 1% | 1% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 151% | 381% | 424% | 437% | 379% | 365% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Cash | $1,011,655 | $866,803 | $1,261,854 | $775,625 | $612,923 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $258,359 | $162,701 | $12,105 | $95,266 | $196,436 |
| Short-term investments | $5,569,566 | $5,492,671 | $5,111,336 | $3,652,455 | $3,751,792 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $6,839,580 | $6,522,175 | $6,385,295 | $4,523,346 | $4,561,151 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $2,814,699 | $2,808,550 | $2,919,876 | $3,030,598 | $3,160,747 |
| Other long-term assets | $6,942 | $0 | $34,053 | $34,052 | $34,052 |
| Total long-term assets | $2,821,641 | $2,808,550 | $2,953,929 | $3,064,650 | $3,194,799 |
| Total assets | $9,661,221 | $9,330,725 | $9,339,224 | $7,587,996 | $7,755,950 |
| Liabilities | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $335,390 | $84,994 | $99,787 | $63,873 | $50,222 |
| Other current liabilities | $5,484 | $22,499 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current liabilities | $340,874 | $107,493 | $99,787 | $63,873 | $50,222 |
| Debt | $0 | $0 | $64,797 | $86,290 | $29,555 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $51,942 | $50,000 | $65,884 | $268,583 | $331,262 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $51,942 | $50,000 | $130,681 | $354,873 | $360,817 |
| Total liabilities | $392,816 | $157,493 | $230,468 | $418,746 | $411,039 |
| Net assets | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Without donor restrictions | $5,849,533 | $5,974,057 | $9,108,756 | $7,169,250 | $4,860,565 |
| With donor restrictions | $3,418,872 | $3,199,175 | $0 | $0 | $2,484,346 |
| Net assets | $9,268,405 | $9,173,232 | $9,108,756 | $7,169,250 | $7,344,911 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Total contributions | $857,905 | $1,486,388 | $1,639,686 | $1,126,251 | $865,177 |
| Program service revenue | $1,225,996 | $954,130 | $937,615 | $958,881 | $932,952 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $323,718 | $326,990 | $1,056,203 | $218,048 | $170,264 |
| Other revenue | $140,946 | $193,026 | $190,661 | ($588,676) | $158,743 |
| Total other revenue | $1,690,660 | $1,474,146 | $2,184,479 | $588,253 | $1,261,959 |
| Total revenue | $2,548,565 | $2,960,534 | $3,824,165 | $1,714,504 | $2,127,136 |
| Expenses | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Program services | $2,099,529 | $1,835,807 | $1,903,325 | $1,379,465 | $1,488,119 |
| Management and general | $268,813 | $267,702 | $178,983 | $508,627 | $525,671 |
| Fundraising | $61,987 | $60,975 | $821 | $2,073 | $718 |
| Total expenses | $2,430,329 | $2,164,484 | $2,083,129 | $1,890,165 | $2,014,508 |
| Change in net assets | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $118,236 | $796,050 | $1,741,036 | ($175,661) | $112,628 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $118,236 | $796,050 | $1,741,036 | ($175,661) | $112,628 |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Rob Pocai | President | $24,569 |
| Stephen Lorimer | VP Business | $4,046 |
Compensation data as of: 6/30/2023
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 12/26/2023. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
KMBC was founded in 1931 by two outstanding Christian leaders, Dr. Lela G. McConnell and Rev. Martha L. Archer, who answered God's call to establish a college dedicated to preparing students for a ministry of spreading scriptural holiness.
The early years of the college were characterized by hardship, sacrifice, unwavering commitment, heroic faith, and joyful service. The founders of Kentucky Mountain Bible College were true spiritual giants! Out of this rich, godly heritage KMBC has grown to be the great school it is today. God's leadership is evident throughout the history of the school and in His choice of the early leaders who laid a good, spiritual foundation!
Kentucky Mountain Bible Institute (KMBI), as it was originally known, was located approximately 3 miles from its present site. It initially offered a two year Bible course, and expanded its program to three years in 1938. On July 5, 1939 a cloudburst on Frozen Creek caused a flash flood that destroyed the original school, as well as many of the homes that were near the school. Forty-four houses, sixty barns, numerous trees, cattle, and rocks, were picked up, carried away and dashed to pieces. Fifty-two people lost their lives in less than three hours including staff member Mr. Horace Myers, his three children Titus, Philip, and Lela Grace, students Elsie Booth, and Christine Holman, and three guests of the Myers. Of the Myers family, only Nettie survived.
On October 20th, 1939, the school re-opened on a new three acre site donated by Mr. and Mrs. Fred Fletcher. The new campus was located far above flood plain. On December 15th of this year, Wilfred and Alice Fisher accepted an invitation from Lela G. McConnell to teach for the remainder of the academic year while they waited for the 1940 Asbury commencement and for an Evangelical Church appointment to open in the coming summer. What was originally to be a temporary assignment became a permanent one lasting 73 years.
Growth and building continued at a feverish pace, starting with the Myers Chapel in 1940, followed by Swauger and Brengle Halls. Archer Auditorium was begun in the summer of 1961 and was ready for the graduating class of 1962.
Following the death of Dr. Lela McConnell, Dr. Carl Paulo assumed the presidency and faithful served until his death in 1981. Dr. Eldon Neihof followed in his footsteps, leading Kentucky Mountain Bible Institute into candidate status for institutional accreditation in 1989 with the Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges (now Association for Biblical Higher Education). In this transitional period, Dr. Wilfred Fisher, served as president of KMBI for nearly three years, seeing its final transition to an accredited four-year college, changing the name to Kentucky Mountain Bible College.
Dr. Philip Speas accepted the invitation to serve the new college president on October 11th, 1993. The following year, 1994, KMBC was granted full membership with the ABHE, bringing the college into a recognized position in higher education. As such, KMBC began offering a four-year Bachelor of Arts in Religion along with a two-year Associate of Arts in Biblical Studies.
Under the leadership of Dr. Phil Speas, the college underwent significant remodeling and construction including the completion of the Davis Memorial Building and Gibson Library, the Chatlos and Townhouse Apartments, Campus Commons, the Lela G. Coffee house, and most notably the new Helen Matthew Luce Chapel and Fine Arts Building, completed in 2009. In addition to the physical campus, Dr. Speas has led in an expansion of faculty and staff and an increase in enrollment. Dr. Speas retired in 2022, after twenty-nine years of service.
In 2022, Dr. Robert D. Pocai, Ed.D. was appointed president of KMBC. Dr. Pocai is a distinguished pastoral, parachurch, and educational leader in the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition. He and his wife, Rev. Holly Pocai, graduated with a BA in Religion/Communications from KMBC in 2003 and 2004 respectively.
Over the past two decades, Dr. Pocai has had professional ministry experience in the Salvation Army, Methodist, Nazarene, and inter-holiness churches. Dr. Pocai has demonstrated a deep love for Christ's church through his passion for holiness and commitment to biblical higher education. Dr. Pocai comes with broad and experienced knowledge in pastoral care, community relations, fundraising, facility development, as well as staff and volunteer cultivation. While serving as the Executive Vice President of Wesley Biblical Seminary, Dr. Pocai was actively involved in administration, enrollment, institutional advancement, and the launch of new educational programs. The late WBS President, Dr. John Neihof, said, "Rob is an energetic, passionate leader. He has a proven track record as a successful urban minister, church planter, pastor, and evangelist. Rob's powerful pulpit ministry resounds with the authority of Scripture and a call to Christian holiness."
As President-elect, it is the desire of Dr. Pocai's heart to claim the promise of the founder, Dr. Lela G. McConnell found in Joshua 17:18 "the mountain shall be thine." (KJV) He said, "Kentucky Mountain Bible College was established as a life-transforming Christian formation institution. Testimonies of alumni are far-reaching around the world for the glory of God. On that mountain, lives are changed and transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit and through the blood of Jesus. Glory to God! Holiness of heart and life is a reality and this message needs shared and lived in a broken world. Pray that the Lord raises up students who learn passionately about holiness and ministry, supporters who will give sacrificially to this holiness work, and friends who will pray faithfully for this holiness ministry in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky."
Since our beginning, 70% of Kentucky Mountain Bible College graduates have entered Christian ministries. Eighteen percent have served as foreign missionaries in more than sixty countries. An impressive number have risen to leadership positions in many Christian organizations.
Kentucky Mountain Bible College graduates are promoting and demonstrating scriptural holiness as missionaries, ministers, and lay leaders in America and on mission fields around the world. Alumni are filling places of Christian leadership in many denominations, mission societies, and other Christian organizations.