Description Available in: Founders Drs. Henry and Carol Fernandez, senior pastors of The Faith Center, an internationally renowned ministry, founded The University of Ft. Lauderdale in 1995 as a non-denominational Christian institution.The commitment was to establish an institution of higher education in South Florida to access the world, advance Christian education, and promote leadership in both secular and non-secular areas. Academia was identified as the catalyst to prepare individuals to be responsive and adequate to the call of God. Dr. Fernandez has an Honorary Doctor of Divinity from St. Thomas College.