OHC History

OHC’s roots stretch back about 30 years and find themselves entwined in the formation of another supporting ministry college--Weimar. During the early 1970s, while Weimar was being planned and developed, Chester and Harriet Clark attended a meeting in the Loma Linda area soliciting support and interest in the new educational venture. The Clarks came away from that meeting thinking that such a school should be developed in the Southwestern Union (their home union) as well. After reading the book, Madison, God’s Beautiful Farm, their determination to see such an educational program was set.

They waited, watched, and worked to see God open the doors, but for years no door opened. Convinced in 1988 that an academy might be more needed than a college at that time, they set a fleece out before the Lord. Another teacher and students would be needed if the Lord wanted an academy to begin. In a matter of a few weeks, another teacher and students came and with them Ouachita Hills Academy was born.

Since that time the academy has grown and is now located on 381 acres southwest of Amity, Arkansas. The idea to begin a college level program was laid aside for several years only to be re-ignited by students, parents, and visitors to campus who encouraged the staff to begin a college as soon as possible.

In 2000 the Board of Directors of Ouachita Ministries voted to form a college; in 2001 the state of Arkansas granted Ouachita Hills College a religious exempt status and plans for the college began in earnest.

Thirty-one students arrived on campus in September of 2003. Many of these were students who transferred from the Center for Evangelistic Canvassing in Harrah, Oklahoma or other colleges. Others came as bright-eyed freshmen, ready to experience their first year in college. All came with expectations to learn in the school of Christ and to prepare for His service.

What vision do the founders of this new college have? The vision of dedicated, dynamic, self-sacrificing young people being rightly trained, turning the world up-side-down for Jesus; the vision of young people who will stand for the truth though the heavens fall and who will not be bought or sold; the vision of a soon coming Savior welcoming these students and those they have worked to save into the kingdom.