The Georgia School of Preaching & Biblical Studies began its inaugural year of training preachers and Christian workers for greater service in the kingdom of God kingdom of in the fall of 1999, A.D.

The elders of the Piedmont Road of Christ in Marietta Georgia, had made the decision prior to the fall of 1999 to found a school for the training of preachers and Christian workers, and to make this effort a regular part of the outreach and local work of the Piedmont Road congregation.

The Piedmont Road elders chose brother Cal Arquitt, their associate minister at the time, to be the founder and initial director of the school. Brother Arquitt was a veteran in the kingdom, having served for over sixty years as a preacher of the gospel, and was well known and respected throughout the metro Atlanta area, all of Georgia, and in many other areas in the brotherhood.

The charge of the elders to brother Arquitt was to found a school of preaching that was, “biblically sound, academically strong, and functionally capable.” Brother Arquitt accepted the challenge and began his work prior to the fall of 1999.

Brother Arquitt chose the Nashville School of Preaching hosted by the Crieve Hall of Christ, and directed by Dr. Tom Holland, as the template for GSOP.

Brother Arquitt carefully crafted a balanced curriculum of study, and hand picked faithful, gospel preachers (each with graduate level training and over twenty years of experience) to serve as instructors for the new school.

With all of the pieces finally in place, the Georgia School Georgia of Preaching & Biblical Studies opened its doors in August of 1999. Since that time, brother Arquitt and his wife Meda have retired to live near their children in Tennessee. Other men (John Tracy, David Decker – currently) have followed brother Arquitt as directors of the school.

With the change in its leadership, the school has also experienced changes that have been designed and intended to perpetuate the school’s existence and broaden its outreach. As 2006 draws near, the Georgia School of Preaching & Biblical Studies is poised to become even more of a truly statewide effort than ever before. However, this will not happen at the expense of its initial charge and creation.

To remain, “biblically sound, academically strong, and functionally capable,” is the essential mandate for the continuation and prosperity of this good work. The resolve to bring glory to God and souls to His kingdom demands no less.