Why the Name "Meridian"?

     Tom Elliff, co-founder of Meridian University walked into my office and said, "Let's name our school Meridian University."  I was alright with that but I thought we should add "of Biblical Training."  But why "Meridian?"  
     Tom explained.  In the morning, it is a.m., "ante meridian," before noon, and in the afternoon it is p.m., "post meridian." In between a.m and p.m. is "meridian" or when the sun is at its zenith. Otherwise, "meridian" is light at its brightest.  
     Light is the theme of Meridian University.  Also, "meridian" has reference to the lines of longitude on the earth.  Meridian University has definite lines drawn when it comes to beliefs.  We take a very conservative stance on God's Word.  Tom Elliff said it best.  "Meridian University is a line drawn and a light shown." Now, you know!                                                                                                                                          -Ralph Speas

• In the spring of 2003, Dr. Tom Elliff and Dr. Ralph Speas shared the dream of organizing a school of higher education with the purpose of providing practical training for pastors, church staff members, church leaders, and laity desiring to be equipped for ministry.

• In the fall of 2003, MUBT was incorporated under the laws of the State of Oklahoma and First Southern Baptist Church of Del City, Oklahoma became its official sponsoring entity. MUBT began classes with 10 students enrolled.

• In 2004, MUBT became an approved Seminary Extension Center to provide ACE approved Seminary Extension courses accepted by all SBC seminaries for undergraduate studies.

• In 2005, MUBT was approved by Association of Christian Schools International as a CEU provider. MUBT had a record of 253 students enrolled in classes.

• In 2005, MUBT established an extension school in Manipur, India for the purpose of training church leaders.

• In the summer of 2006, MUBT was transferred to the Tulsa area. First Baptist Church of Sapulpa became Meridian’s sponsoring entity and provided an office and classrooms for the school.

• Johnny Norwood, author of Storying for Evangelism and Church Planting, joined the staff of MUBT in 2009 as an instructor. MUBT began to use his curriculum related to Chronological Bible Storying exclusively.

• As of 2016 MUBT was training Church planters who are impacting Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire, India and the U.S

• From 2017-2020, MUBT added more countries in which to train:Peru, Colombia, Greece, France,Senegal, Gambia, Mali, Guinea Bassau, Niger, Burkina Faso, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, DRC Congo, Chad, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Malawi, Morocco, Egypt, Ethiopia, Congo Brazzaville, Kenya, Botswana,  a SE Asia country, and Tanzania.  Ten countries were added in 2020 during the corona virus pandemic and when MUBT began to use Zoom as a communication and training tool.