More aout us
We're All About Relationships in the Family of God
We offer you the unique opportunity to grow as a child of God at your own pace in local settings without traveling great distances and being separated from your family, friends, and church.
Connections
Our staff and students are people who are serving on the front lines
in local church settings. They understand well the cultural challenges facing the 21st century church and believe these to be exciting times in which God is greatly moving among his people. We invite you to connect with us today.
Local Yet Global
Whether you feel led to serve locally or internationally,
we believe a call to ministry is indeed a call to prepare oneself for service.
As such, we partner with local churches and other groups to assist in training those who have a strong desire to grow in the likeness of Christ.
Our Course of Biblical Studies
Practical & Affordable -
The program we have developed involves 30 hours of intensive theological training, or ten three-hour courses, that is endorsed by local churches, district associations, and other partners in ministry throughout Virginia and Upper East Tennessee. At the present time we have not sought official accreditation beyond these; however, this will probably change in the near future. The classes we are offering include but are not limited to:
1. Introduction to the New Testament
2. Introduction to the Old Testament
3. Jesus in the Synoptic Gospels
4. Johannine Literature
5. Either “Baptist Beliefs and History” or “Church History”
6. The Prophets
7. Christian Ethics
8. Spiritual Development
9. Christian Theology I
10. Christian Theology II
The cost of these classes is affordable and is established at $200.00 per three hour class, a price we hope to be able to maintain. We are strongly discouraging those who might simply want to audit the classes but this is an option; however the price would remain at $200.00 per class.
Participants who take the classes for credit and achieve the standards set forth by the Appalachian School of Theology will receive a "Certificate of Theology" at the completion of the program. In addition to offering two classes per year (fall and spring semesters) we will be partnering with other friends in ministry to offer a good number of one or two day conferences focusing on specific topics such as Preaching, Offering an Effective Invitation, Sunday School or Small Group Growth, Communication Techniques, Leadership Enhancement, etc.
Prospective participants who are concerned about the cost of the classes should not let this hinder their involvement. Payments can be made throughout the semester and scholarship assistance is readily available from numerous partners in ministry. Members of churches who are aligned with the Baptist General Association of Virginia (BGAV) are eligible for scholarship assistance. For more information click here: https://www.bgav.org/blog/scholarships-and-ministerial-education-funds We can assure you that no one will be turned away because they feel they cannot afford to be involved; however, participants who might receive scholarship assistance need to remember that "someone felt they were worthy of their investment" and should try their best to excel.
We launched our first class in January of 2018 and are now in our third year of operation. The classes we are currently hosting are meeting each Monday night at the Family Life Center located on the campus of First Baptist Church in Nickelsville, VA. In addition, we now have a Regional Resource Library located at First Baptist Church in Nickelsville, VA. Hopefully we will be able to duplicate this program at other satellite locations throughout southwest Virginia.
