While unaffiliated with any particular denomination, it generally serves independent churches within the fundamental Bible and Baptist associations.
The school was founded as Appalachian Bible Institute in 1950 by Lester E. Pipkin and Robert S. Guelich.
The school also offers online courses through ABC Connect, and on-campus modular classes for its Master of Arts in Ministry degree.
In 2014, ABC began offering accredited courses to inmates at Mount Olive Correctional Complex, West Virginia's maximum security prison.
[2] Mount Olive Bible College students are enrolled in the Pastoral ministry major.