Rev. Dr. Timothy E. Ruffin, The Founder

Licensed, Ordained Associate Minister of the Mount Zion Baptist Church where he saved and served under the late Reverend Hiawatha Coleman.

Reverend Ruffin served as a Deacon at the Mount Zion Baptist Church for ten years and was active as a teacher in the New Life Bible Class, Vacation Bible School, Teacher in the Young Adult Department, Teacher Training Class and Associate Superintendent of the Sunday School.

Rev. Ruffin was a Bible Teacher in the Short Term Missionary Program of “Have Christ Will Travel Ministries", a member of the Board of Directors. and served as Dean of the Bethlehem School of the Bible for six years. Dr. Joseph C. Jeter is Founder and President.

Rev. Ruffin served as a member of the faculty of Manna Bible Institute for five years and was a member of the Board of Directors of Manna.

He ministered for twenty years as a counselor, Bible teacher, and Program Director of Christian Campers Incorporated. Sister Justine Winslow was president.

Rev. Ruffin was employed with the Public School System of Philadelphia for thirty-one years as a teacher at the Barratt Junior High School located at 16th and Wharton Streets.

Rev. Ruffin was honored by the Philadelphia Evangelistic Bible School in October 1982 with an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity Degree. The late Dr. Kenneth Smith was Dean.

Rev. Ruffin was educated in the Philadelphia School System. He graduated from Dunlap Elementary School, Sulzberger Junior High School, West Philadelphia High School, Temple University, Manna Bible Institute, and Philadelphia College of the Bible (now Philadelphia Biblical University).

Rev. Timothy E. Ruffin was called to pastor Beulah Baptist Church of Philadelphia on March 19, 1978. In September 1978 a three year, non-tuition Bible School was brought forth. Three classes an evening on Monday and Tuesday. Hence New Life Bible Institute Missionary Training School was born.

Dr. Ruffin was deeply committed to the field of missions, whether it be home or foreign missions. He traveled to Lagos Nigeria to teach the Word of God in August 1989.

Among many of his accomplishments New Life was one of his greatest delights. He yearned to teach his students each evening, knowing that their lives would be transformed by God’s Word and thus becoming a vessel fit for the Master’s use.

Rev. Dr. Timothy E. Ruffin, Jr. was happily married to Betty A. Ruffin, and the father of four sons: Timothy, III, Mark, Joel and John. The Lord added to his family two wonderful daughters-in-law, Victoria, and Novetta, six grandsons, Timothy, Elliot, Andrew, Joel, Jr., Montague, and Joseph.

Rev. Ruffin’s life verse was: “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” I Timothy 1:15