The Institute was recently organized as a 501c3 Not-for-Profit corporation. Historically, this CPE center began at Presbyterian Hospital in 1976 with the hiring of the Rev. Bill Carr, ACPE Supervisor. The program developed into Residency and Extended programs when the Rev. Carl Petering joined the staff in 1979. In 1984, the hospital was sold to Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) and a Foundation was established from the proceeds of the sale, grants from which support the majority of our programs.

In 1988, the Rev. Darryl Tiller was hired to expand the Residency programs and in 1990, the Rev. Ken Blank was hired as the Director of the Pastoral Care Department. In 1992, the Rev. Sherron Hughes-Tremper was hired to continue the Residency programs. In 1993, the College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy accredited the Center. In 1997, the Department and the Certified Chaplains received the 1997 Professional Service Award from the Association of Professional Chaplains, based on their response to the April 19, 1995, Oklahoma City terrorist attack. In 2000, the Center completed its 10-year accreditation review, receiving 8 commendations.

In late 2001, the CPE program became part of the Institute under the accreditation umbrella of Integris-Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City. In 2003, it received its 10 year accreditation from the ACPE while maintaining its CPSP accreditation status. Due to recent conflicts among professional organizations, the Institute regrettably surrendered its CPSP accreditation in the fall of 2006.

The Institute is one of a few free-standing not-for-profit corporations accredited to offer Clinical Pastoral Education.