In the 1920's certain evangelical ministers were concerned with the loose commitment to the gospel in the theological departments of the day. At that time theological education in South Africa was only available in the universities.

It was their intention to endow a theological professorship at one of the South African universities. However, because of the prevailing liberal theological influence, their wish was frustrated. Undaunted, they determined to establish a college where the evangelical doctrines of the Word of God would be taught.

In 1923, they founded the Bible Institute of South Africa at Mowbray in the Cape in order to provide, for the Church in South Africa, academic training of a high quality, equipping men and women for the challenge of our century.

Throughout its history BISA has been interdenominational with students admitted from across the world. It is not uncommon to have up to a dozen nations and languages represented on campus. BISA has trained evangelical ministers for leadership in many Independent churches as well as South African denominations e.g. the Assemblies of God, the Baptist Church, the Brethren, the Reformed Evangelical Anglican Church in South Africa, the Church of the Province of South Africa, the Congregational Church, the Dutch Reformed Church, Hillsong, Jubilee, the Methodist Church, the Presbyterian Church and other African Churches.

On the left is a foreword from a booklet in our BISA archives that highlights students who went to serve on foreign fields with many well-known agencies such as AIM International, Bible Society, Wycliffe Translators, Operation Mobilisation, AIM International, SIM, MECO, WEC, OMF, Interserve and others. Particularly in (but not limited to) Africa, hundreds of senior Church and Mission Leaders as well as Theology School Principals and Lecturers, were trained at the Bible Institute.

Immediately prior to World War II the Institute moved to Kalk Bay, where from small beginnings it has developed into the present extensive campus whose buildings bear the names of our great patrons, Marsh, Douglas, Daintree and Kingon.

With great joy and thanksgiving the Bible Institute of South Africa celebrated, in August 2013, her 90th birthday. The 95th Anniversary was commemorated in September 2018

We celebrate our centenary in 2023.