Roger Voegtlin grew up in Chicago, Illinois and was saved at the age of five. After graduating from college, he planted Fairhaven Independent Baptist Church with one family on October 27, 1970. Presently, the church averages Sunday School attendance of 2,000. In December, 1974, he was jailed defending biblical principles of child rearing and the family. Won the defense on all six charges. In 1977, he founded Fairhaven Baptist College for students training for full-time Christian service. The college offers practical courses coupled with high academics.