It existed for the training of pastors, evangelists, missionaries, Christian education workers and lay workers.[3] The summer Bible School grew into a permanent Bible School and, in 1939, was chartered as Maranatha Bible School. Mergers with Beulah Heights Bible Institute, Metropolitan Bible Institute, New England Bible Institute and Pine Crest Bible School resulted in increased enrollment and a name change to Eastern Bible Institute and later, Northeast Bible Institute. The university moved in 1976 to the campus of the former Valley Forge Army Hospital in Phoenixville, PA.