College of Biblical Studies - Houston 
The information on this page was last updated 11/12/2024. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
The College of Biblical Studies offers affordable and accredited degrees. We are located in Houston, Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and online. Ranked one of the best online Bible colleges in the nation.
Contact information
Mailing address:
College of Biblical Studies
7000 Regency Square Blvd
Houston, TX 77036
Website: cbshouston.edu
Phone: 844-227-9673
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 742016083
CEO/President: William Blocker
Chairman: David Tauber Sr.
Board size: 16
Founder: Ernest L. Mays
Ruling year: 1979
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 06/30
Member of ECFA: No
Member of ECFA since:
Purpose
To develop and discipline multi-ethnic Christian leaders who transform underserved communities through a life-changing Biblical education.
Mission statement
The College of Biblical Studies exists to glorify God by educating and equipping multi-ethnic Christian leaders to impact the world for Christ.
Statement of faith
The doctrinal position of the College of Biblical Studies is historically that of conservative Christianity. CBS rests firmly upon the integrity and inerrancy of the Holy Scriptures and, therefore, wholeheartedly accepts the basic doctrines of the historic Protestant Christian faith. CBS also supports the non-charismatic, dispensational, pre-millennial movement. Traditionally, CBS graduates stand for these great truths, and it is the desire of the College to continue to provide personnel for service in these ranks. This Doctrinal Statement, which every board member, administrator, staff, and faculty member must sign, also includes:
Every word in the original writings of the Holy Scriptures is inspired of God and without error (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:21; 1 Cor. 2:13).
The Godhead exists eternally in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one God (Gen. 1:1; Jn. 10:30, 4:24; Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14).
Man was created in the image and likeness of God, but in Adam all mankind fell into sin with the result that all men are sinners, hopelessly sinful in themselves, apart from the grace of God (Gen. 1:27, 9:6; Rom. 5:12, 3:23; Eph. 2:1).
The Eternal Son of God became incarnate in the Lord Jesus Christ, who is true God and true man, having been born of the virgin Mary (Jn. 1:1, 14, 18; Matt. 1:21 23; Heb. 1:6, 8; 1 Jn. 5:20; 1 Tim. 2:5).
Salvation is received by faith alone in Christ, who died in substitutionary sacrifice for our sins and rose again (Acts 4:12; 13:38, 39; 1 Cor. 15:1 4; Rom. 4:4, 5; 5:1).
Every true believer is promised positional and ultimate sanctification with the possibility of progressive development in life spiritually (progressive sanctification) (Heb. 10:10, 14; Jn. 17:17; Eph. 5:26, 27; 1 Thess. 4:3, 4; 1 Jn. 3:2).
All who are born of the Spirit through faith in Christ can have the assurance of salvation and are eternally secure in Christ (Rom. 5:1; Jn. 3:5, 6; 1 Jn. 5:13; Jn. 10:28, 29; 17:12; 2 Tim. 1:12).
The Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Godhead, who regenerates, indwells, baptizes, and seals all true believers in Christ and fills those yielded to God (Matt. 28:19; Jn. 1:13; 3:3 6; Titus 3:5; 1 Cor. 2:12; 6:19; Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 12:13; Eph. 4:30).
The Church, embracing all true believers, is the body and bride of Christ, formed by the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:22, 23; 5:24, 25, 30; 1 Cor. 12:12, 13, 27).
Christians are called to a holy life of service and testimony in the power of the Holy Spirit, which service includes the propagation of the Gospel message to the whole world. There is promised reward in heaven for faithfulness in such service (1 Pet. 1:15, 16; Jn. 12:25, 26; Acts 1:8; 1 Cor. 3:12 15).
The scriptural ordinances of baptism and the Lord's Supper are for all true believers in Christ (Matt. 28:19, 20; Mk. 16:15, 16; Acts 8:12, 36 38; 9:18; 10:47; 1 Cor. 1:16; 11:23 26).
Angels were originally created holy but now exist as unfallen and fallen, including Satan (Col. 1:16; Neh. 9:6; Ps. 143:2 5; Jude 6; Matt. 25:41; Rev. 12:9; Eph. 6:11, 12).
God has revealed different dispensations or stewardships with corresponding rules of life, of which the present dispensation is the age of grace (Eph. 3:2 6, 9 11; Col. 1:25 27; Rom. 6:14; Heb. 7:18, 19).
The imminent return of the Lord, which is the blessed hope of the Church, is to be followed in order by: the tribulation; the establishment of the reign of Christ on earth for one thousand years; the eternal state of punishment for the unsaved; and the eternal state of blessing for the saved (Titus 2:13; 1 Thess. 1:10; 4:13 18; 5:4 10; Rev. 3:10; Matt. 24:21, 29, 30; 25:31; Rev. 20:1 6, 11 15; Matt. 25:46).
Donor confidence score
Transparency grade
D
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Colleges/Universities
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 671 of 1107 | 78 of 127 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 373 of 1108 | 43 of 127 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 991 of 1108 | 110 of 127 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 477 of 1107 | 58 of 127 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 13% | 11% | 7% | 9% | 14% | 24% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 2% | 7% | 5% | 5% | 7% | 9% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 18% | 63% | 71% | 59% | 50% | 36% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 2% | 7% | 5% | 5% | 7% | 9% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 82% | 37% | 29% | 41% | 50% | 64% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 84% | 72% | 70% | 68% | 73% | 58% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 98% | 97% | 99% | 92% | 103% | 94% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 82% | 70% | 69% | 63% | 76% | 55% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 2% | 3% | 1% | 8% | -3% | 6% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 1% | 2% | 1% | 5% | -2% | 3% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 13% | 21% | 25% | 27% | 20% | 32% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 0.52 | 0.53 | 0.60 | 0.54 | 0.68 | 0.48 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 2.58 | 1.69 | 2.16 | 4.43 | 6.36 | 3.88 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.41 | 0.90 | 1.30 | 2.40 | 4.31 | 1.87 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 7.93 | 18.80 | 6.06 | 2.90 | 1.79 | 3.30 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.13 | 0.05 | 0.17 | 0.35 | 0.56 | 0.30 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 7.23 | 12.60 | 7.70 | 3.27 | 1.23 | 4.46 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 24% | 19% | 8% | 10% | 9% | 8% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 11% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 150% | 151% | 153% | 166% | 135% | 191% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Cash | $544,695 | $5,097,996 | $2,248,907 | $1,355,317 | $1,614,051 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $3,623,412 | $1,428,651 | $987,003 | $758,527 | $2,401,800 |
| Short-term investments | $5,528,788 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $9,696,895 | $6,526,647 | $3,235,910 | $2,113,844 | $4,015,851 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $4,359,913 | $7,485,463 | $11,026,814 | $11,277,746 | $11,548,053 |
| Other long-term assets | $2,328,770 | $64,081 | $64,081 | $60,826 | $0 |
| Total long-term assets | $6,688,683 | $7,549,544 | $11,090,895 | $11,338,572 | $11,548,053 |
| Total assets | $16,385,578 | $14,076,191 | $14,326,805 | $13,452,416 | $15,563,904 |
| Liabilities | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $479,795 | $662,065 | $452,016 | $385,872 | $593,452 |
| Other current liabilities | $36,010 | $415,202 | $665,060 | $794,371 | $622,125 |
| Total current liabilities | $515,805 | $1,077,267 | $1,117,076 | $1,180,243 | $1,215,577 |
| Debt | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $2,656,916 | $0 | $282,914 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $2,656,916 | $0 | $282,914 | $0 | $0 |
| Total liabilities | $3,172,721 | $1,077,267 | $1,399,990 | $1,180,243 | $1,215,577 |
| Net assets | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Without donor restrictions | $10,075,495 | $11,398,291 | $12,186,791 | $11,578,534 | $11,871,510 |
| With donor restrictions | $3,137,362 | $1,600,633 | $740,024 | $693,639 | $2,476,817 |
| Net assets | $13,212,857 | $12,998,924 | $12,926,815 | $12,272,173 | $14,348,327 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Total contributions | $5,685,749 | $6,042,962 | $4,985,032 | $4,434,966 | $2,861,523 |
| Program service revenue | $1,863,572 | $2,003,596 | $2,726,687 | $2,673,160 | $1,769,759 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $1,058,315 | $69,017 | ($3,868) | $2,969 | $2,932,629 |
| Other revenue | $364,054 | $452,542 | $711,810 | $1,726,824 | $462,703 |
| Total other revenue | $3,285,941 | $2,525,155 | $3,434,629 | $4,402,953 | $5,165,091 |
| Total revenue | $8,971,690 | $8,568,117 | $8,419,661 | $8,837,919 | $8,026,614 |
| Expenses | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Program services | $6,307,457 | $5,937,435 | $5,270,710 | $6,688,630 | $4,399,641 |
| Management and general | $1,826,450 | $2,131,329 | $2,067,664 | $1,818,175 | $2,444,235 |
| Fundraising | $612,447 | $427,244 | $426,645 | $607,268 | $685,825 |
| Total expenses | $8,746,354 | $8,496,008 | $7,765,019 | $9,114,073 | $7,529,701 |
| Change in net assets | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $225,336 | $72,109 | $654,642 | ($276,154) | $496,913 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $225,336 | $72,109 | $654,642 | ($276,154) | $496,913 |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Dr Bill Blocker | President | $415,607 |
| Paul Keith | Vice President/COO | $146,084 |
| Albert B Chelladurai | Vice President/CFO | $119,837 |
| Emmanuel Lalande | Vice President of Student Services | $112,855 |
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 11/12/2024. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
The College of Biblical Studies (CBS) began as a burden in the heart of the late Rev. Ernest L. Mays. He sensed that large segments of the local Christian community were functioning without trained leaders.
This was especially true within the inner-city minority groups. Out of this concern, Houston Bible & Vocational Institute, now CBS, was incorporated in 1976. William Thomas, Jr. and Rev. Joe Wall assisted in the development of a multi-racial, interdenominational board, which began working to make the school a reality. Within a short time, a decision was made to focus on biblical and theological training because they believed there were already adequate resources for vocational training in the area.
During its 40-plus years of history, CBS has grown in its academic curriculum from offering a few credit and non-credit courses to today's offerings of associate and bachelor's degrees and Bible certificates.
CBS initially offered classes at the KHCB radio facilities located off the Southwest Freeway at Kirby. In 1994, a two-acre campus (18,000 sq. ft. in three buildings) located near Hillcroft and the Southwest Freeway was purchased. Today, CBS serves students online and in two locations - Houston and Indianapolis. CBS also had a location in Fort Wayne until July 2024.
In 1976, Dr. Mays first envisioned an institution of higher learning whose primary focus was to provide biblical and theological education for inner-city minority pastors and lay leaders. To date, over 26,000 multi-ethnic students have been equipped by the teaching ministry of the College of Biblical Studies.
In July 2012, God called Dr. William Blocker to the presidency to provide leadership to CBS in the pursuit of furthering its impact on families, churches and communities. In 2013, CBS was granted membership into the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC) and was reaffirmed in its national accreditation with Association of Biblical Higher Education (ABHE). With Dr. Blocker's leadership, CBS continues to expand our educational offerings.
In 2019, Crossroads Bible College merged with CBS (see details below).