Gospel Assembly International Seminary & Bible School
We are pleased to announce the opening of the Gospel Assembly International Seminary and Bible School. Classes will begin in January, 2004. Both on-campus and off-campus correspondence courses will be available.
We will be offering a quality Christian education to ministers, student ministers, and members of the Body of Christ around the world. This is a part of the work of the Lord, and part of the mission of the church. We offer these courses so that ministers and saints can gain more knowledge of God's Word, and to assist overseas ministers to establish the credibility of their ministry with their governmental agencies.
We realize that formal education cannot substitute for the calling of God to preach. A seminary education, alone, does not qualify a man or woman for any Christian vocation. The great apostles, prophets, and ministers of the Bible and history did not attend any formal seminary program. Yet Jesus trained the twelve in an intensive, three and one-half year program. In the days of Elisha there were schools of the prophets. We can impart knowledge, and to some extent, wisdom; but only God can call a man or woman to a specific work or ministry.
It is vital to understand the Bible. Understanding will keep you. Proverbs 2:11. We are admonished in the Scriptures to get wisdom and to get understanding. Proverbs 4:7. They will provide stability in troubled times. Isaiah 33:6. God's people can be destroyed by a lack of knowledge. Hosea 4:6. A famine is coming - not a famine for food; but for hearing the Word of the Lord. Amos 8:11.
To the extent that we can, and with the assistance of the Lord, the faculty of the Gospel Assembly International Seminary and Bible School will strive to preserve and proclaim knowledge, understanding and wisdom. Every course has been prayerfully developed by members of the Body of Christ. Wherever possible, textbooks will be used that have been written by ministers from the Body of Christ. We will not rely on Babylon for help.
Three religious degrees will be offered. Completion of the initial two-year program, which covers basic doctrines of the Body of Christ, will result in the awarding of and Associate of Practical Theology (Th.A.) degree. Additional coursework can be taken to obtain Bachelors of Theology (Th.B.), and Master of Theology (Th.M.) degrees. Courses will be offered in five departments: Theology, Bible Studies, Church Administration, Religious History and Christian Counseling.
A free catalog is available, containing additional information, course descriptions, admissions criteria, etc. Please write for your free copy.
Pastors: By utilizing the correspondence aspect of this program, you can start a Bible School in your local assembly. We would send curriculum material directly to you, and you and your staff could teach the courses to the saints in your church; thus preserving the role of the pastor as teacher of his saints. Tests would be mailed back to Des Moines for grading, and degrees would be issued from here.