A Historical Comparison of Lindquist and Hagan

1929: Reverend Frank J. Lindquist was challenged by Lilian Yeomans, a well-known Bible teacher, to, “begin a Bible school.” Little did she know the impact these words would have on students to come.

1930: In the heart of Minneapolis, Minnesota, within a small classroom, a few students gather together to learn more about who God is and know His Word. They assemble under the title of The North Central Bible Institute (NCBI), founded by Reverend Frank J. Lindquist, their president, and built the foundation for what is now North Central University.

Frank J. Lindquist grew up attending the Swedish Free Church in Mckeesport, Pennsylvania, and at 15 years old, he and his mother were introduced to the Pentecostal message. This desire for “more of God” catapulted Lindquist into seeking the Lord and eventually going into ministry. He would travel to Minnesota and preach within tent campaigns, church plant, pastor, and create a Bible school–fulfilling Yeomans’ request.

Lindquist would continue to be the active president of The North Central Bible Institute for 31 years, the longest presidency North Central has ever had.

Within these years, Lindquist taught many classes and led this school through challenging times: The Dust Bowl, the Great Depression, World War II, the Civil Rights Movement, political turmoil, the Cold War, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Throughout these hardships and transitions, NCBI maintained its motivation to be a light amidst the darkness, to “promote a thorough knowledge of the Word of God, in order that the lives of those who enter may be governed by a supreme devotion to the interests of God’s kingdom,” and take action “in the Lord’s great harvest fields.”

Before Lindquist resigned from his position as president in 1961, North Central Bible Institute is renamed North Central Bible College (NCBC). After his resignation, he passed his presidency to Dr. G. Raymond Carlson, and Lindquist continued to teach courses at North Central until 1963. Lindquist devoted his life to the Lord Jesus, was cherished as president and professor for decades, and pioneered the way for young people to be educated in the Word of God, and equipped for the world.

Scott Hagan was born in the state of Washington and moved across the country with his family 27 times as a child. Eventually, he completed both high school and college and became a youth pastor at Crabtree Church in San Jose. After seven years of serving there, Hagan left to continue his life in ministry and began church planting and pastoring for the next 20+ years.

In 2017, Dr. Scott Hagan succeeded his friend and mentor Dr. Gordon Anderson’s presidency, and began leading North Central University. When Hagan’s first year as president was in review, he and his wife agreed, “We are as happy as we have ever been,” showcasing their compatibility with his new role.

Although Hagan has not been president at North Central University for long, his leadership has undergone challenging, distinct times. The Covid-19 pandemic began in 2019, placing all of America under a mass quarantine mandate, while school was still in session. Schools and universities across nations were forced to close in-person interactions, including NCU. North Central University adapted to this curve ball by taking courses fully online and providing recordings of chapel sessions with speakers. In 2020, President Hagan reopened North Central University with optimism, desiring to, “Live without fear and thrive together!”

Since then, North Central has continued to house a community of people, driven to expand their knowledge of God and grow in their specific skill sets to minister to others throughout their lives. These two men are similar in their passions to empower people who want to know more about God, educate in the Scriptures, and equip them to harvest the ready fields in their everyday lives.

 From Lindquist to Hagan, North Central University has experienced hardships but keeps a healthy heartbeat in the center of Minneapolis, led by leaders of faith and hope.