History
Christian Life College was founded on October 5, 1953 by Rev. Clyde J. Haney as the Western Apostolic Bible College. Previously Rev. Haney held short-term Bible institutes in the basement of the church beginning in 1949. The first graduating class was called the 49ers, and included: Clarence Riddlesberger, Jerry Renison, Jack Renison, Ollie Faye Renison, Elva Sanders, Dwight Gritts, and Ralph Santos.
In the summer of 1954, Western Apostolic Bible College was officially accepted by the United Pentecostal Church, International for the training of ministers and endorsed by its Division of Education. The acceptance and endorsement was ratified by the 1954 General Conference of the UPCI meeting at Columbus, Ohio.
Rev. A.T. Morgan, UPCI General Superintendent, dedicated the college to God's service at its official opening.
In 1964, WABC expanded its curriculum to begin offering a four-year Bachelor of Arts degree in Bible and Theology.
On October 15, 1971, founder and president of the college, Clyde J. Haney, died in an automobile accident. Rev. Paul Price, the college vice-president, assumed his office until a successor could be chosen.
Rev. Kenneth F. Haney, then President of the Pentecostal Conquerors (UPC International Youth Ministry), accepted the position vacated by his late father, and has served as the president of the college since 1972.
The name of the college was changed to Christian Life College in January, 1980. In 1983 the degree of Associate of Arts in Bible and Theology was added. On August 4, 1994 institutional approval was granted by the California Council for Private and Vocational Education to offer the degrees of Associate of Arts and Bachelor of Arts in both Christian Music and Bible and Theology.
