Our History
Virginia Christian College
Virginia Christian College (formerly Virginia Bible College) is a private, Christian college established by Grace Church in 2011, where Dr. Derek Grier is the founding and senior pastor. The church was founded in 1998 with only 12 people and has grown to several thousand and serves people throughout Northern Virginia, DC, and Maryland.
Over 10 years ago, Dr. Grier had the vision to offer Christian-based education and leadership development to individuals who were wanting to gain a deeper understanding of biblical truths and how to apply that understanding to their lives, as well as impact the world for Christ. In 2011, he took a leap of faith and established Virginia Christian College.
The College has seen steady growth since its inception, which culminated in its first graduating class (both Master's and Bachelor's level) in the spring of 2013. As Virginia Christian College evolved, many of its students, including veterans and federal workers, desired to receive federal aid to fund their matriculation there. Thus, a need for accreditation became apparent. In 2014, Virginia Christian College embarked upon the accreditation process with the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) and achieved Candidate (Pre-Accredited) Status and recognition as a member institution in October of 2017, and Accredited Status on November 4, 2019.
The COVID-19 Pandemic heightened the need for the College to offer online education and on July 30, 2021, Virginia Christian College received TRACS approval for its Distance Education program. Also, in July 2021, the college established its first Teaching Site in Norfolk, VA.
NOTE: The U.S. Department of Education requires institutions offering distance education courses to be authorized by each state in
which the institution enrolls students (if such authorization is required by the state). Each state has a different set of requirements for
out-of-state colleges and universities to offer online programs to its residents. Click here for VACC's state authorization status.
On August 1, 2021, Virginia Christian College installed its second president, Dr. Courtney McBath and former President Dr. Derek Grier transitioned to the College’s first Chancellor.
In July of 2022, the board unanimously agreed to change the name of the college from Virginia Bible College to Virginia Christian College. Following approval from SCHEV and TRACS, the name was officially changed and announced on May 20, 2023.
Our Vision
Equip. Inspire. Transform… Equipping the hearts and minds of transformational leaders.
Our Mission
To equip students with biblical truth, spiritual discipline, and practical knowledge to effectively serve and lead in the church and/or marketplace.
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Dr. Derek Grier
Founder and Chancellor
Derek Grier currently serves as the founding pastor of Grace Church in Dumfries, Virginia. The church began in 1998 with 12 people and under his leadership, has grown to more than 7,000 members and has over 40 life-changing ministries. In late 2023, he initiated Derek Grier Ministries on various social media platforms, reaching millions of viewers monthly. His radio and television broadcasts have also gained a substantial audience both in the United States and around the globe.
Grier was ordained a bishop in 2008 by the late Dr. Myles Munroe. He currently mentors hundreds of Christian leaders and business owners through the Renaissance Leadership Network (RLN). Grier serves on several Board of Directors, including the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA), which provides accreditation to leading Christian nonprofit organizations that faithfully demonstrate high standards for financial accountability and transparency.
Bishop Grier’s uncompromising approach to preaching and teaching the gospel has helped him lead Grace Church in phenomenal growth. In 2023 Grace was listed in Outreach Magazine's annual "100 Fastest Growing Churches in America" as the 5th fastest growing church in the United States, with the 2nd greatest percentage gain across the 100 fastest growing churches.
In 2011, Grier founded Virginia Christian College, a highly respected institution for Christian education. He currently assumes the role of Chancellor, with Dr. Courtney McBath serving as the President. Grier is well-published and his most recent publication, "When God Stops," was released by Thomas Nelson Publishing in August of 2019.
Derek Grier’s most recent God-inspired initiative, National Unity Weekend, was founded to position the Christ-centered church as a pivotal force in guiding society toward racial unity. Addressing the diverse needs of American communities through both Gospel teachings and practical service, National Unity Weekend is celebrated each second weekend in the month of June.
Derek and his wife, Yeromitou, reside in northern Virginia and have two adult sons: Derek Jr., David, and daughter-in-law Debby.
Dr. Courtney McBath
Message from the President
It is my pleasure to welcome you to Virginia Christian College on behalf of the faculty and staff. As president of Virginia Christian College, I strongly encourage you to take advantage of the rewarding, challenging, and life-changing educational opportunities available to current and prospective students. At Virginia Christian College, we are committed to assisting you in becoming the leader you were created to be, whether you have a passion for business or ministry. This is why I am happy to share with you that I believe that God is doing something new this academic year. Amid the turmoil that has impacted our families, communities, churches, colleges, and universities around the world in recent years, I believe the Lord has great blessings in store for those who are dedicated to doing the work of the Kingdom.
In Isaiah 43 God shares with the Children of Israel that He is doing a new thing:
16 This is what the LORD says— he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, 17 who drew out the chariots and horses, the army and reinforcements together, and they lay there, never to rise again, extinguished, snuffed out like a wick:
18 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. 20 The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen, 21 the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise.
This is a comforting passage for many of us because it reminds us that no matter how difficult the challenges we face from time to time are, there are great blessings to be found in the midst of them. Furthermore, even in the face of seemingly impossible circumstances, He has even greater and new blessings in store. In these verses, God demonstrates that the new thing He is doing has less to do with material blessings and more to do with spiritual ones that will be seen by others and will bring Him glory.
This is why, at Virginia Christian College, we believe it is critical to teach our students that recognizing God as the God of blessings is a great sign of influential leaders, regardless of their assignment, who they are called to reach, or what is going on in their environment. We proudly educate from a Christ-centered perspective, with a community of like-minded individuals committed to God’s Word and a worldview that reflects Jesus’ teachings. It is our goal to educate the whole person.
As you begin or continue your academic journey, I encourage you to study Isaiah 43 further and to ask the Lord to open your heart to see the blessings He is already providing and to receive the new thing that He desires to provide. If you are visiting our site and believe that academic preparation is essential for principled leadership, this is the place for you! Please fill out our information form so that we can contact you as soon as possible.
Courtney McBath, D. Min
President