Back to school.

Starting Monday, a new school in Edgecombe County will be welcoming students back from their summer vacation, the True Standard Christian Bible College in Tarboro.

"This is the first school of its kind in Tarboro," said Dr. Charles Dingle of Pinetops, founder and president of the school. "We are very excited."

The school is at 1405 W. Saint James St. in Tarboro, across from the Williams Oil Co. The building is also home to Dingle's church, the True Standard Holy Church Inc., which currently has a congregation of about 25 members.

The church was established on July 13, 2002.

"We have been in this building for a little over a year," said Dingle.

A native of Wilmington, Dingle is a graduate of United Christian College in Goldsboro, where he received a Bachelor of Religion, Bachelor of Theology and a Doctor of Divinity degree.

Dingle has ministered in various churches for more than 37 years and was ordained as a bishop in 1997.

In addition to ministering, Dingle has worked extensively in religious education.

Dingle taught at his alma mater, United Christian College and was one of the founders of the Wilmington Bible College, where he also taught for several years. He also helped to set up a school in Maple Hill as a satellite school for United Christian College and helped to set up a school for Roanoke United Holy Church Convocation.

"I feel that God has prepared me for the work for True Standard Christian Bible

College," said Dingle.

After establishing the church in 2002, Dingle said he labored to arouse the congregation to the need for an educational department in the church.

"I believe I have a calling to teach and train Christian workers and prepare them for Christian service," said Dingle.

Dingle said that the church finally adopted the idea and work began setting up the church.

Dingle said that he and the other board Members submitted application and other requirements to The University of North Carolina Administration Board seeking exemption from licensing to conduct business in Tarboro to teach degree programs in religious education under provisions of G.S. 116-15(d) and the Rules and Standards for Licensing Nonpublic Institutions to Conduct Post-Secondary Degree Activity in North Carolina with respect to religious education.

"There is a lot of paperwork and red tape to get through," said Dingle.

Dingle received the long-awaited call from the Secretary of the U.N.C. Board on

Aug. 4, stating that the school had met the requirements of the Board.

"We were waiting anxiously to hear from them," said Dingle. "We couldn't move forward without approval from the state."

The very next day, Dingle said he received the official letter, stating that the President of the U.N.C. Board accepted the findings and recommendations of the Board, declaring True Standard Christian Bible College able to conduct business in Tarboro.

True Standard Christian Bible has also been accepted as a candidate member with The Southern Accreditation Association of Bible Colleges and Seminaries International, Inc., which was founded in 1952.

"It took a long time to get approval," said Dingle. "But now we are ready to move ahead."

The school is now authorized to award the Bachelor of Christian Education, Bachelor of Religion, and Bachelor of Theology Degree after all requirements have been met by the student.

"It will take four years to receive a bachelors in Christian Education and Religion," said Dingle. "and it will take five years for the Bachelor of Theology.

"We will also be offering an associates degree in two years."

However, Dingle said that tuition at True Standard Christian Bible College won't send you into debt.

"Registration is $25," said Dingle. "And tuition is $50 a month.

"We wanted to keep costs low so that anyone that wants to receive their education can do so with us."

Dingle said that the school now has the capacity to teach a maximum of 60 students to start with.

"Right now that's about what we can expect," said Dingle. "But we hope to grow in the future."

Dingle said that classes, which are held from 6-9 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays, will begin on Aug. 18. However, the school can continue to accept students for the fall semester until Sept. 1.

"The classes are designed where you can jump right in and not be behind," said Dingle.

Dingle said faculty at the school includes himself; his wife, Vernice Dingle, who is also employed with Edgecombe County Public Schools where she works as a Parent Educator at Stocks Elementary; Dr. W.C. Elliot of Winterville; and Contina Bryant.

"We have a few more on standby as well," said Dingle.

Dingle said the school is now receiving registration for the Fall semester. The office hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can call and make an appointment at 823-1319,

827-9900 or 452-5761.

This is just the first step for us," said Dingle. "We just hope and pray that God blesses us here."