Messenger College was founded after the Southern Bible College in Houston, Texas, and the Evangelical Christian College in Fresno, California, merged and relocated to Joplin, Missouri, in 1987. The Pentecostal Church of God's international headquarters are located in Joplin. Messenger College is the officially designated collegiate institution of the Pentecostal Church of God in the United States.
Messenger College offers Associate of Arts degrees in General Studies and in Biblical Studies. It offers Bachelors of Arts in Business and in Music. Messenger College also offers a Bachelors of Arts in Christian Ministry, with specific areas of focus being Biblical exposition, pastoral ministry, inter-cultural missions, discipleship ministry and in youth ministry.
Messenger College is a nonprofit school. A large part of its funding is provided by donations from churches, organizations and individuals. Students are expected to pay all costs for room and board, tuition and other fees. On-campus housing is available. The college's cafeteria offers 17 meals a week to each student, the cost of which is covered in the room and board fee.
Gateway College of Evangelism is a currently an unaccredited college in Florissant, Missouri. It was founded in 1968 and is associated with the United Pentecostal Church International. The Assemblies of God's Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri, is an accredited institution offering 100 academic programs. It provides associate, bachelors and masters degrees.