Over 50 years ago, Dr. Jess C. Moody had a God-sized dream: Bring a Christ-centered university to South Florida. He envisioned a place where students weren’t just prepared for a career, but ready to shine a light and serve others.
This vision came to life in 1968, and it may have been impossible without God’s provision and the community’s unwavering support.
On August 19, Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA) celebrates what would have been Dr. Moody’s 100th birthday. The month-long recognition honors Dr. Moody’s boldness and how it gave rise to an institution rooted in Christ-first values, academic excellence and servant leadership.
Humble Beginnings, Strategic Growth
The first classes at PBA were held in downtown West Palm Beach in the former facilities of the First Baptist Church on South Olive Avenue. Now, it is a vibrant campus with over 100 programs, roughly 4,000 students and nearly 19,000 alumni across industries.
The university continues to build on this 57-year legacy with a strategic expansion plan to maximize available land during a time of historic growth.
Under the God-Sized Dreams campaign, in 2024 PBA broke ground on its first major construction project: the Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Business Hall. The six-story building will house the AACSB-accredited Marshall E. Rinker, Sr. School of Business and several Centers of Excellence. Most recently, work has also begun on a new residence hall. The 25-story building will feature 275 units and a host of dining and recreational amenities for students.
PBA’s location in downtown West Palm Beach strategically positions the university to grow alongside an expanding region. Hundreds of Fortune 500 companies are moving to the area now nicknamed “Wall Street South,” and employers seek graduates with the integrity and critical thinking needed to navigate a complex global market. PBA’s record-breaking growth also reflects the growing demand for a Christ-centered university in Florida.
Community Collaborations
PBA’s true value goes beyond construction projects. Dr. Moody knew how to bring like-minded people together. Enlisting the support of friends like Dr. Donald E. Warren, founding board chairman, Theodore R. Johnson, who created the Johnson Scholarship Foundation (PBA’s largest scholarship provider) enabled PBA to become what it is today.
“He could be talking to the janitor or the president of the United States. It didn’t matter who you were. He made every person feel special,” says Jessica Moody Bruce, Dr. Moody’s granddaughter and incoming Alumni Association board president. “He was genuinely interested in and loved others. He loved PBA and was truly dedicated to the mission of forming a Christ-first university.”
These community partnerships have sustained PBA over the years, and they continue to grow. PBA’s Workship program cultivates partnerships with over 200 organizations in Palm Beach County. Through this community service program, students work with organizations that align with their career goals while meeting local needs. In 2024 PBA celebrated 4 million hours served. This significant milestone underscores the university’s continued commitment to loving and serving others.
As PBA grows as Florida’s leading Christian university, Dr. Moody’s legacy will continue to drive the university’s strategic vision—empowering students across generations to tackle the challenges of their day with godly character, open arms, and a servant’s heart.
More About Jess Moody’s Legacy
Dr. Moody, born in Paducah, Texas, in addition to being an educator was a visionary pastor and evangelist. He sensed a call to preach at age 17 and began his ministry with Youth for Christ, traveling across the U.S. and Europe as a young evangelist. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church of West Palm Beach from 1961 to 1976, where he and his wife, Doris, founded PBA in 1968. He later moved to California to pastor First Baptist Church of Van Nuys, leading it into cooperation with the Southern Baptist Convention and overseeing its relocation as Shepherd of the Hills Church, a congregation known for its outreach to Hollywood’s entertainment community. In addition, Dr. Moody also authored several books. Many remember him for his warmth that left an impression on students, congregations, and colleagues.
He passed away in 2018 at the age of 93, leaving a lasting legacy of faith, education and service.
To learn more about Dr. Jess C. Moody’s legacy and PBA’s history, click here.
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