The vision for what would become Arlington Baptist University began in the 1920s with Dr. J. Frank Norris, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas. Although an initial attempt to establish a Bible institute did not materialize, it laid the groundwork for the launch of the Fundamental Bible Institute in 1927. This program offered systematic Bible study through radio and correspondence.
In 1931, Dr. Norris established the Pre-Millennial Bible Conference, also known as the Southwestern Pre-Millennial Bible School, which hosted biannual sessions. The first session was held in November 1931, with Dr. Louis Entzminger named Superintendent. These conferences aimed to provide concentrated pastoral training and biblical teaching.
Out of these early efforts, the Fundamental Baptist Bible Institute was officially chartered on March 3, 1939. Classes began later that year in an upper room of First Baptist Church in Fort Worth. The curriculum expanded, and the academic term was extended to include both a regular and summer session. In 1945, the institution was renamed Bible Baptist Seminary.
Following Dr. Norris’ death in 1952, the seminary temporarily relocated to downtown Fort Worth. In 1953, Dr. Earl K. Oldham, a seminary graduate and pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Grand Prairie, became President. Under his leadership, the school moved to its permanent location in Arlington, Texas, in 1955, transitioned into a four-year undergraduate institution, and adopted the name Arlington Baptist College. The school began offering Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees and pursued accredited status through the American Association of Bible Colleges (now ABHE). Candidate status was achieved in 1977.
Dr. Oldham served as President for 27 years and was named Chancellor in 1980. That same year, Dr. Wayne Martinbecame President and successfully led the institution to full accreditation in 1981, continuing its legacy of biblical training and academic excellence.
In 1992, Dr. Wendell Hiers—a missionary and former director of the World Baptist Fellowship Mission Agency—served as interim President. On May 1, 1993, Dr. David D. Bryant, a seminary graduate and long-time pastor, became President. With advanced degrees in theology and divinity, Dr. Bryant continued to inspire and prepare students for ministry.
In 2009, following Dr. Bryant’s retirement, Dr. D.L. Moody, a 1983 graduate of the College, became President. Dr. Moody had served the college in various roles including Director of Institutional Development, Dean of Students, and professor of Pastoral Ministry. He brought with him a deep commitment to student development and institutional growth, leading the college to notable improvements in academics, campus life, and spiritual formation.
In 2017, Arlington Baptist College officially became Arlington Baptist University, marking a new chapter in its history.
After Dr. Moody’s resignation in 2019, Jimmy McNeil, pastor of Pleasantview Baptist Church, served as interim President. In January 2020, Cliff McDaniel stepped in as interim and was officially elected the University’s 10th President on January 11, 2021.
President Clifton McDaniel, an ABU alumnus (B.S. 2000, M.Ed. 2013), spent nine years in public education before returning to ABU in 2011 to relaunch the athletics program. Under his leadership, athletics grew to over 100 student-athletes across eight sports. As President, Mr. McDaniel has led significant improvements in academics, chapel, campus life, and facilities—continuing the university’s mission of preparing students to impact the world for Christ.