Mission
Lives changed through the Word of God
Founded by Pastor Ronnie Riddick in Elizabeth City in December 1998, TBI exists to see believers renewed in their minds, no longer bound to think as the world does, but able to think and live according to God's perspective.
Individuals are encouraged to discover, develop and use their gifts. As a result they help their church function as a healthy body, and make a great impact on their communities for the glory of God.
The curriculum focuses on relationships with God and with people, on discipleship, and on the working parts of ministry. It is built to equip Christian leaders — Bible teachers, pastors, evangelists, missionaries, auxiliary and department heads — to fulfill their positions and callings.
Training brought to your church
TBI offers customized mini-courses, workshops, weekend classrooms and seminars to strengthen and equip churches, ministries and organizations.
Tell us what your leaders need and we will build the session around it.
Core values
What we will not trade away
Primacy of the Bible
We value a biblical curriculum that grounds students in accurate biblical doctrine through academic quality that will give relevance in their world, in Christian service ministry, and in daily living.
Passion for servanthood
We value servanthood that learns to serve the Lord Jesus Christ, His Church and the world with excellence and a humble, submissive attitude, so that leadership in ministry clearly recognizes the worth of each individual before God.
Priority of the Church
We value serving through the fundamental church community, and acknowledge that the church is God's instrument in reaching the world — both locally and globally — with the Gospel of Christ.
Pursuit of a biblical worldview
We value serving with a biblical worldview that recognizes the absolute authority of the Bible as the source of truth to govern believers in living as light in a dark world.
Practice of integrity
We value serving with integrity to foster a climate of righteousness and accountability in all relationships.
What we believe
Statement of Faith
We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God. It is without error in the original writings, complete in its revelation and final in its content. It is the all-sufficient rule for faith and practice in the life of the believer.
We believe God is One God. He has revealed Himself in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He was born of a virgin. The Word of God became flesh, lived on the earth, suffered and died on the cross for our salvation, rose from the dead, ascended back to heaven where He is seated at the right hand of the Father, and will come again to judge the living and the dead.
We believe all men have sinned and are completely and hopelessly lost without God’s divine intervention. God has made the only provision for men to be saved, and that is salvation made possible through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. No man can be saved outside of this provision, which is received by faith and relationship with Jesus.
We believe the Church is the body of Christ and that the ministry of Christ continues through His people by the power of the Holy Spirit. This power is made available to assist His people, to bring glory to the Name of Jesus and to draw others to that name.
We believe the supreme purpose of every believer is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. This is done through knowing Him and making Him known. These are very real and personal processes, which result in our having an intimate relationship and daily fellowship with Him. This empowers us to witness to the world around us.
The full Tenets of Faith and Doctrine appear in the appendix of the TBI Catalog and Student Handbook. Ministers and churches affiliated with the TBI Ministerial Fellowship agree to uphold them.
A message from the president
Welcome to the TBI family
Welcome to Transformational Bible Institute, a seminary with a distinguished history and curriculum. I am glad you have chosen to become part of the TBI family, joining a student body of active students and alumni.
Studying here is one of the most important decisions you will make in your life. The intellectual, spiritual and practical values of a TBI education will prepare you to be a good neighbor, a loyal friend, a devoted spouse, a committed church member, a loving parent, an exceptional employee, a responsible citizen, and, of greatest importance, a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ.
Wherever you go, there you will be. The person you become — not just the knowledge you carry — will matter.
We believe that true success is not just about what you do for a living, but how you live while you make a living. TBI prepares men and women for a lifelong pursuit of God, equipping students with a biblical worldview to rightly read both Scripture and culture.
A global Christian guided by a biblical compass is empowered by faith to work and make a lasting contribution for the cause of Christ. You will be blessed to be where scholars develop into future leaders — learning to think critically, strategize, innovate, communicate, connect, transform and lead.
In His service,
Dr. Ronnie L. Riddick, Th.D.
President, Transformational Bible Institute
Pastor, Word of Reconciliation Church
Author, Words of Grace
Accreditation
Fully accredited by Transworld
TBI is fully accredited by the Transworld Accrediting Commission International, an accrediting agency for non-traditional Christian schools, Bible colleges and theological seminaries. Transworld is an international, non-governmental educational accrediting body, federally recognized as a non-profit church organization.
Transformational Bible Institute was awarded a certificate of full accreditation on February 4, 2005, and that accreditation is renewed annually. TBI received full accreditation from TAC to award the Associate, Bachelor and Master’s degrees.
Degree programs of study offered by Transformational Bible Institute have been declared by the appropriate state authority exempt from the requirements for licensure, under provisions of North Carolina General Statutes Section (G.S.) 116-15 (d) for exemption from licensure with respect to religious education. Exemption from licensure is not based upon assessment of program quality under established licensing standards.
Non-discrimination
Open to whoever will come
Transformational Bible Institute is an interdenominational, non-profit ministry which does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin or age.
Courses may be taken by ordained ministers and by laypersons alike — for ministry preparation, for spiritual enrichment, or simply because you want to understand Scripture better than you do today.