Ministry News
Biblical Training Centre for Pastors
The nurse theologian was 1 of 18 missionaries this week who took part in a partnership orientation/teacher workshop with Biblical Training Centre for Pastors in Stone Mountain, Georgia. We are all together in this photo, along with the 3 men who facilitated the workshop. It was humbling to meet these missionaries and hear what God has called each of them to do in the name of Jesus Christ for the church.
For example: 1 group is working with the Hmong people in Thailand and will be translating the BTCP manuals into the heart language of the Hmong peoples. They are also working on a concordance for the Hmong Bible translation.
There are 2 curriculum tracks:
1. The BTCP track is for qualified men per 1 Timothy 3:2 and Titus 1:6 in pastoral leadership.
2. The BTCL track is for both men and women to be adequately trained for ministry and has 2 sub-tracks.
a. BTCL International
b. BTCL USA
The BTCP track consist of 10 courses taught over 520 hours. The BTCL International consists of 8 courses taught over 400 hours and the BTCL USA consists of 5 core courses taught over 275 hours. After completing the courses of study, the participants receive a certificate of completion. BTCP is non-formal theological education. The nurse theologian is now in partnership with BTCP for the training of pastors and church leaders for the building up of the church. (cf. Eph. 4:11-16)
Why BTCP?
While completing the Master of Theological Studies degree my final course was Missiology. The subject of theological training in missions tugged at my heart; therefore, I felt a calling to go into the mission field for the purpose of teaching pastors and church leaders per Ephesians 4:11-16. The Great Commission (Mt. 28:18-20) is to make disciples for Christ and teach them to observe His Word. Paul said to Timothy: “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Tm 2:1-2, NASB95)
What are the barriers?
1. 75% of the worlds Christians reside outside of the United States in Latin America, Africa, the Middle east and Asia.[1]
I have partnered with BTCP because BTCP/BTCL removes the barriers for biblical training. BTCP/BTCL can be taught to small groups as well as very large groups. BTCP/BTCL can be taught in any nation and among any people group in the world. The BTCP/BTCL training model depends on three parts:
1. The Scriptures
2. The Manuals
The teacher uses the manuals to get the student into the Scriptures because “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” (2 Tm 3:16-17, NASB95) I am very excited to partner with BTCP and look forward (Lord willing) to training pastors and church leaders in the mission field.
Glory to God in the name of Jesus Christ for the church, Amen!
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[1]BH Academic, Theological Famine in the Majority World, July 28, 2016, Accessed June 30, 2019, https://www.bhacademicblog.com/theological-famine-majority-world/.
[2]M. David Sills, Hearts, Heads, & Hands: A Manual for Teaching Others to Teach Others(Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 2016), 6.
[3]BTCP Teacher Training Workshop Manuel (Tucker: Bible Training Centre for Pastors, 2019), 4.
[4]n. d. “Bible Training Centre for Pastors” Bible Training Centre for Pastors. https://www.bibletraining.com/.
[5]BTCP Teacher Training Workshop Manuel (Tucker: Bible Training Centre for Pastors, 2019), 9.
