The Pre-Trib Research Center is located on the campus of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia where Dr. Thomas Ice is also on faculty. The Center was begun in 1991 when Dr. Tim LaHaye became concerned about a perceived swaying from the pretribulational doctrine. In 1992 Dr. LaHaye released his book on the rapture: No Fear of the Storm from Multnomah Press. In the process of preparing his book, Dr. LaHaye was impressed with the gatherings of the Albury Park and Powerscourt Conference in Britain during the late 1820s and early 1830s where leaders gathered to discuss issues relating to Bible prophecy. Dr. LaHaye contacted Dr. Ice and discussed the possibility of calling a similar meeting for December 1992. This meeting came about in Dallas with about 35 top prophecy scholars, authors, and populists participating in the three-day event. The group adopted the title of The Pre-Trib Study Group (PTSG). Dr. LaHaye was elected Chairman of the steering committee and Dr. Ice Vice Chairman.

At the next year's meeting, December 1993 in Dallas, The PTSG elected Dr. Ice to become full-time Executive Director of the newly formed PTRC. From 1994 until 1999 the PTRC was located in Washington, D.C. and was housed in the offices of Dr. LaHaye's former ministry: Family Life Seminars. From 1999 until May 2005 the offices of the PTRC were located in Arlington, Texas until moving to Liberty University in June 2005. Currently the PTRC is attempting to collect a large prophecy library for research at the University in its Center.

PTRC has sponsored an annual PTSG meeting in December of each year since 1992. What started out as a closed meeting is now an annual conference attended each year by about 400 members and non-members alike. Every PTSG conference provides presentations by prophecy scholars as well as spirited discussion of issues relating to the broad field of Bible prophecy.

The PTSG has over 250 members in association with its efforts. Most of the top prophecy scholars, authors, and popularizes are members of the Center and Study Group. The association of these prophecy experts, which have been facilitated by the Pre-Trib organization, has contributed to the inspiration of dozens of books, articles, thesis and dissertations, conferences, and events that express and defend the literal interpretation of Bible prophecy and support the pre-trib rapture. The PTRC and the Study Group have worked to bring together veteran prophecy experts to share their knowledge and encouragement concerning these matters to a younger generation of students and advocates. In this way the torch is being passed to a new generation.

Dr. LaHaye, Dr. Ice, and Dr. Ed Hindson, along with others associated with PTRC, have produced an impressive amount of literature that further the cause of pretribulationism and the literal interpretation of Bible prophecy. The PTRC is also involved in speaking at prophecy conferences and churches, producing key audio tapes, and now with the advent of this Internet site, providing various materials here as well. PTRC has published over the years its monthly publication called the Pre-Trib Perspectives and has various other future goals. The PTRC wants to impact Pastors, Bible teachers/professors, and individual Christians with the central role and importance that Bible prophecy, especially the any-moment possibility of the rapture, should play in the life of the church.

Dr. LaHaye and PTRC stress three practical implications that flow from the rapture teaching. The first implication of pretribulationism is that it leads to godly living in an unholy age. Next, this New Testament teaching promotes a strong emphasis upon evangelism of the lost. Finally, when believers come to understand this eternal perspective, it leads to a zeal for worldwide missions. This is why we at the PTRC are "looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus." (Titus 2:13)

Visit them at: www.pre-trib.org