History Gulf Coast Bible Institute started as a ministry under Gulf Coast Baptist Church in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, but is now under Straight Paths Baptist Church in Daleville, Alabama. The Bible Institute came into existence in 1987 to help train local preachers. The first graduation service was held in 1991. There were five men graduating that first year. GCBI now graduates around 100 students per year. GCBI has seen steady growth over the past three decades, and has issued over 1,900 degrees. The school curriculum, in whole or in part, is being used throughout the United States and these countries by missionaries, local churches, students and others. Canada Bolivia Spain Israel India Philippines Mexico England Italy Nigeria Tibet Myanmar (Burma) Guatemala Ireland Romania South Africa China Singapore Venezuela Scotland Hungary Russia Australia Malaysia Liberia The Sudan Union of South Africa Purpose Gulf Coast Bible Institute exists to: (1) Bring honor and glory to the Lord Jesus Christ. (2) Train men to teach and preach the Word of God. (AV1611) (3) Help Christians fulfill II Timothy 2:15. (4) Provide an organized means for those who wish to "grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" (II Peter 3:18), and to "go on unto perfection" (Hebrews 6:1). GCBI is not a "diploma mill." The student WILL learn the Word of God and those things which are pertinent to living the Christian life today. He will be equipped to effectively fulfill God's purpose and call in his life. He will develop the wherewithal to discern between "good and evil" (Hebrews 5:14) and between "the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error" (I John 4:6). Recognition of false religions, cults, and 'isms will be no problem for the student who has diligently applied himself to his studies. Doctrine Gulf Coast Bible Institute is a premillennial, fundamental ministry. We believe and teach: the Trinity, the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, sinless life, vicarious death, and bodily resurrection; the blood atonement; salvation by grace alone; eternal security of the believer; the autonomous local church; the great commission; the everlasting blessedness of the saved and the everlasting punishment of the lost; the divinely plenary verbally inspired, infallible, inerrant Word of God; the divinely preserved Word of God, the Reformation Text (Textus-Receptus) and the King James Bible (AV1611). We are independent, baptistic, and non-charismatic. Accreditation Gulf Coast Bible Institute is not accredited by any accrediting agency. Our sanction for existence is the King James Bible (AV1611). We know of no agency that accepts the King James Bible as the absolute authority in all matters. Hence, there is no agency available to approve our objectives and methodology. Further more, we feel accreditation is nothing more than a money game with education. Almost all public schools are accredited yet they still turn out illiterate students, even from the so-called accredited schools. Accreditation has nothing to do with a quality education. Faculty Gulf Coast Bible Institute is a ministry of Straight Paths Baptist Church in Daleville, AL. Our staff, including the Board of Directors, is composed mainly of volunteers. They are faithful members of the church and consider their work in GCBI as their ministry unto the Lord. This enables us to keep our overhead to a minimum and still provide a quality education. Dr. M. H. Tabb, M.R.E., Th.D. - Founder / Director: Dr. Tabb, former Pastor of Gulf Coast Baptist Church, founded the Bible Institute in 1987 to train and prepare preachers for the ministry. He received his B.A. from Pensacola Christian College. His postgraduate work was done at Covington Theological Seminary, from which he earned the M.R.E. and Doctor of Theology degrees. Pastor James Powell - President: Pastor Powell serves GCBI as our President of Gulf Coast Bible Institute. Pastor Powell is over all of the operation and distribution of GCBI curriculum. Dr. David Turner, B.A., D.B.S. - Prison Curriculum Coordinator: Dr. Turner is a Missionary and Director of Gulf Coast Prison Ministries, a ministry of Straight Paths Baptist Church. He earned his B.A. from the University of West Florida and his D.B.S. from Gulf Coast Bible Institute. Pastor Jeffrey M. Brown--Website manager. Pastor Jeff Brown is the website manager for GCBI. Any students who have issues accessing files on the website may contact Pastor Jeff at vvbcflintstone@gmail.com to address those issues. Pastor Brown is the pastor of Valley View Baptist Church in Flintstone, GA and a graduate of GCBI. Volunteers Volunteers enable GCBI to provide a quality Bible education at a fraction of the cost of attending a resident college. These volunteers are all faithful members of Straight Paths Baptist Church and provide their time and talents as a ministry to the Lord. They work tirelessly every week transcribing, duplicating tapes, packaging UNITs, grading courses, mailing materials, and sorting bulk mail. We praise the Lord for their invaluable help. Student Testimonials Gulf Coast Bible Institute receives many compliments from students who are blessed by this ministry. We give full credit to the Lord Jesus Christ for his hand of blessing on GCBI. Here are a few testimonials we have received: "I just want to thank you for this course of study. It has been a blessing to me and to many others, as I have used much of the material in sermons. I know Satan does not like what you have taught. He has fought in several areas that have been used to enlighten the Christian in this Laodicean age. Thanks again and may God continue to richly bless you as you serve Him." M.L., New York We highly recommend Dr. Tabb's correspondence school as we've witnessed many men serving God full time now through his teaching ministry, myself included," D. T., Florida "I appreciate this course and will now be better able to follow Christ. This is probably the most important study we have had. The Lord sent along the right information in time to keep me from getting in trouble. Thank you for allowing yourself to be used of the Lord," N. W., Maine "This has been a tremendous blessing. I thank the Holy Spirit for leading me to this school. I look forward to the rest of the curriculum. God bless you richly and abundantly!" M. F., New York "This course was very fulfilling. The greatest blessing was using these outlines in our jail ministry. God blessed and another sinner came to Christ!" D. C., Louisiana "This was an excellent treatise...like all of your material. This course has been a great blessing to me. Thank you so much for making it possible to be able to take a course like this at home. One could never find a better course anywhere, let alone for the inexpensive price you charge God's people. Thanks a lot and tell your staff of volunteers I appreciate what they do," D. M., Pennsylvania "Just a note to tell you thank you for allowing me the privilege to take these courses. I really believe that God sent you. The courses have helped me tremendously... better equipped me for the work I'm called to do. My calling has been further confirmed. I already have, by God's grace, sought to apply many of the principles in my life. Though we don't know each other personally too well, through the tapes, I'm getting to know you quite well, and I'm looking up to you as my pastor. I've needed a friend and pastor that wants to help, and praise God we found one," T.G., Ohio "This course was an eye-opener. I have already shared this course with many people and will continue to with others. Thank you for your Spirit-guided studies," D. W., Maine "I researched many Bible colleges and I am so glad that the Lord directed me to GCBI. If you want to learn the Bible then this is the school for you! J. B., Georgia
Gulf Coast Bible Institute
P.O. Box 97
Daleville, AL 36322

Main Office:
(334) 806-1611
Office Hours:  M-F 8:30-4:30

E-mail GCBI
A Ministry of Straight Paths Baptist Church