In 1971, Ernest B. Gentile, founding pastor of Gospel Temple Church in San Jose, California, started Northern California Bible College (NCBC) in an effort to train men and women to become ministers of the Gospel. California state authorization from the Private Postsecondary Commission for Vocational and Higher Education was granted allowing NCBC to become a California Degree-Granting institution.

In 1973 NCBC expanded by offering evening and Saturday classes throughout the greater San Francisco Bay Area.  Shortly afterward about 20 Bay Area churches were now sending students to NCBC for ministry preparation.

In 1984, NCBC helped start a sister college in Owerri, Nigeria (West African Advanced School of Theology) which has since become fully accredited and trains a student population of over 450 full-time students.

In 1987 NCBC changed ownership and moved to Pleasanton, California, where it continues under the direction of Pastor David Sell (former president).

In 1999, NCBC developed its first website and began offering courses through distance education. Students attend from as far away as Kenya and Australia.

In 2005 the Cathedral of Faith in San Jose, a church of about 8000 members, requested that NCBC establish an instructional program at their campus to train their leadership team.  Since then over 25 of the pastors associated with Cathedral are graduates of NCBC.

In 2013, NCBC began providing instruction at Gateway City Church in San Jose where classes meet regularly on Tuesday nights.  Gateway City Church is pastored by Dr. David Cannistraci and is located in south San Jose.  Students from Gateway’s in-house School of Ministry, “Impact,” can transfer credits into NCBC toward earning a B.A. degree in Biblical Studies.

In 2017, NCBC helped found a second sister Bible College in Kenya, East Africa.

In 2018, NCBC attained Candidacy status with TRACS (Transnational Association of Colleges and Schools) with a commitment to earn full status with TRACS.

In 2019, NCBC moved its Tri-Valley location to the Fountain Church in Pleasanton.

In 2021, NCBC earned full national accreditation with TRACS.

In July 2022, Pastor David Sell retired as president of the college, though he still teaches to this day. He and the Board of Directors of NCBC installed a new president, Greg Holsclaw, and a new Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Tracy Nicole Holsclaw into their leadership roles over the college.

NCBC also moved its administrative offices to Campbell, CA, and became a Category III institution as TRACS approved a new Master in Biblical and Practical Theology degree, which was launched in the Fall of 2022.

In early 2024, Trustee Chairman Leitz felt from the Lord that the next 50-year history of the institution should be represented by a new name. After a year of prayerful reflection, agency approval, and professional consultation, NCBC became Global Christian University, April of 2025.