In 1983 Dayspring Center for Christian Studies opened its doors in the shadow of the University of Colorado. Its purpose was to bring Christian thought and perspectives to the academic square of a major research university. Since its beginning, members of the university community have taken courses in Christian studies which have been recognized and approved for transfer credit by the University of Colorado, Colorado State University, and the University of Northern Colorado. 

In 2004 Dayspring officially changed its name to Centers for Christian Study, International (CCSI) and began implementing a plan to launch study centers in university communities across the United States and abroad.  In 2006 CCSI launched Rivendell College to serve as its academic arm, and began to seek authorization and accreditation for the college.

In addition to being a brick and mortar college in Boulder, Colorado, continuing and enlarging the tradition of Dayspring Center for Christian Studies, Rivendell's graduate programs play a key role in  training and equipping CCSI center directors, and its distance learning program is used by CCSI centers to provide educational resources for their constituencies.