Since 1969, Faith Bible College has equipped God’s people for ministry, teaching the practical and spiritual tools required to encourage a lifetime's discipline of study. Our mission is to see God transform people. Transformed people transform communities. Transformed communities transform the world.

Circa 1963, newlyweds Des and Carley Short were set to complete their studies at the Elim Bible Institute in New York, when on their last night, a visiting missionary from the Philippines prayed for Des and Carley, prophesying their return to New Zealand where God would raise up an end-time training centre from which He would internationally send out many people to preach and demonstrate the Kingdom of God. Henceforth, the vision for Faith Bible College was planted, and the seed, bearing today's fruit, was to sprout.

Promptly returning to New Zealand via ship, Des and Carley obediently waited on the Lord to direct their paths. Come 1968, prayerfully believing it was the right time, Des and Carley purchased a beautiful 20-acre greenscape property in the heart of a (then undeveloped) suburb in Tauranga called Welcome Bay. One year later, in 1969, Faith's first cohort of students graduated, and now, more than 50 years later, Faith Bible College has mentored, ministered, and equipped over 4,000 (and counting) graduates serving God in many spheres of influence.

Carley passed away in 2021, and Des, now in his late 90s, has gracefully stepped back from the day-to-day operations of the college. Towards the end of 2023, Des moved into a local retirement village, where he enjoys sharing his profound biblical insights and passion for the truth. Faith is now under the caring stewardship of Des’s family, who, along with a close-knit board and a team of dedicated individuals, carry on the college’s legacy with warmth and determination.