Our seminary was founded in 1981 to fill the need that pastors who are already serving in the ministry have for theological training. The majority of our first students were bi-vocational pastors who were unable to go for preparation on traditional campus located theological academies. We have developed programs and strategies for professional and qualify theological training for this segment of m
inisters of the Gospel. By the grace and blessing of God we have served as a channel for the theological formation of thousands of pastors in different parts of the world (USA, South Korea, Dominican Republic, Cuba, etc.; where even today we officially operate). It will be a great honor to serve in the formation of thousands of other pastors around the world where the Lord open doors for us His servants. SBS exist to glorify God by equipping pastors and ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, so they can better serve God, His church, and people. Although evangelicals around the world correspond to close to a billion people, and even it is well known that pastors are some of the most influential people in the world, which represents more than 3 million leaders; sadly only about 5% of them have ever received Intentional Theological Training. Our School works toward filling that need. Therefore, we encourage you to prayer for us. Also, consider investing and supporting us to accomplish this goal, for the sake and glory of our Lord Jesus. SOME OF OUR VALUES AND PHILOSOPHY
o The Bible is our foundation. o We focus on learning, combining multiple teaching/learning methodologies. o Our focus is the called to the ministry. o We offer high standard programs at an affordable cost. o We value your experience. o We motivate you to serve the Lord better by knowing Him better. o Local churches provide our campuses. o We strive to offer programs of high standards at affordable costs. RESOURCES
Why a Non-Campus Philosophy? A Campus is located in a single place in the world, plus costs a lot of money (millions even billions) to build from the ground up while local church buildings and/or Ministry Facilities (schools, offices, etc.) are all over the world. We take advantage of an already established infrastructure but make sure our institutions are kept under the supervision of the churches. Some of the Best Resources in the World
There is a shortage of well-trained professors. In this narrative, we coded intensive courses allowing our students to interact face to face with some of the best professors in the world. Wise Use of Good Technology
Our tech facilitators provide the best communication technologies available at the lowest possible cost. We are creating an online library tool to do quality investigation. Time
The majority of our students work in the ministry field and the majority of them are vocational, but they are able to finish their Professional Theological Degrees at the same time as any other full time program. Degrees are usually completed every two years per level. ENCOURAGEMENT FROM THE PRESIDENT
Pr. Juan de la Cruz (BS, MS, MA, THM, PHD)
In this rapidly changing world, but not in the direction of the Gospel, we need men of God willing to pay the price required to remain firm and faithful to God and to the cause of the Gospel of Christ. Men of Biblical convictions well prepare to handle well the Word. Men able to pass the torch to the next generation of men called to preach the Gospel and defend the sound doctrines of the faith given once and forever to the saints. The SBS is committed to support the church of God to help the called to preach and serve the Lord all over the globe. We were called to shed our individual experiences, as well as our earned skills and knowledge of the Word and ministerial practices to lead you in the process for you to be a better servant of our Lord Jesus Christ. The SBS is a wise solution to your need for ministerial education. You study, we provide the resources, experience and credibility to build together a path that mitigates your theological education and ministerial needs. Our professors, consultants, facilitators and students come from a variety of areas of knowledge (engineers, doctors, educators, philosophers, artists, military, theologians, etc.), all of whom were called to preach the Gospel and/or are being trained in the ministerial fields to serve better our Lord and glorify God in all. This causes a unique combination of experience and ideas that enriches the process of mentoring/learning that involves you, causing you to handle better the Word to supply the spiritual needs of today world. We work at fist first with those called by God to do the ministry work that are already involved in it, but we also provide for those who are experiencing the call or the need to serve the Lord. We are eager to meet you and be your partner in growing together in the service for His sake and by the cause and glory of our Lord Jesus Christ! TESTIMONY OF THE INTERNATIONAL FOUNDER
Pr. Boyce Whitman (BS, MS, BA, M.MIN, THM, D.MIN, THD, PHD)
I was call to preach when I was still a kid and I finally surrender in my youth, before becoming a pastor in 1960. I started to Clemson University in 1956 to become an Electrical Engineering, but God calling overwhelmed me. Therefore, I started to Furman University after Clemson to learn better to handle the Word of God. Although I grew up in church, I felt I needed help to be able to preach God´s truth effectively to others. I was confused about how God could use an engineer as a preacher at the same time. I became interim pastor at Salem Baptist Church for a period, and then Gap Hill Baptist Church called me to be their pastor the first Sunday of July of 1961, where I had been until now by the grace of God. In a little beat more than 60 years in the holy ministry, I have learned this: “The more I learned about God’s Word –the more eager I was to live by and preach it to others.”
At the same time I pastor and work as an engineer, I use to receive courses and instruction in different institutions to grow in the knowledge of God and his Word. In 1980, I met Dr. Charles Williams. Because of my bi-vocational schedule, I developed a sense of need to help those pastors already in the field that need preparation to divide well the Word of Truth because majority of them are bi-vocational to be able to feed their own families, feeding the flock at the same time. While working at Sangamo I became Manager of Research and Development and I arrange with Clemson University for them to come to my plant to teach our engineers to become experts -at a master level degree. Professors came on Monday from 7:00 to10:00 p.m. It brought great results. Consequently, in 1981 we started the first Non-Campus Professional Bible Study Center in our local church. We have been able to help hundreds of men call to preach in our community, in others places all over the US, and several other countries as well. We do not own properties in our School; we work hand to hand with the local churches enrolled. This idea put in to practice for about four decades by now has been a tremendous blessing to help pastors and ministers to growth their knowledge of God and his Word, as well as to growth the church of God they pastor. Quality education has been our goal to help others! WORDS FROM THE FOUNDER
Pr. Charles Williams (BD, BA, MA, Ed.D., D.Min., PHD)
Most schools focus on teaching; we focus on learning. Teaching centers on the education, knowledge, skill and experience of the teacher. Learning centers on the needs of the student. The difference between these two approaches is indicated by the Greek terms exegesis and hodegesis. By definition, learning is change. When you have changed (intellectually, emotionally, spiritually), for better or for worse, you have learned. You have a primary learning type. You are primarily either an auditory learner, visual learner or tactile learner, though you doubtless learn in all three ways. You have a primary learning style. You are primarily an explorer, analyzer, mediator or applier, though you probably use all styles to some extent. You have a basic temperament that motivates you to learn in certain ways. You have a primary tendency to be direct, enthusiastic, patient or diplomatic, though you doubtless function in each of these tendencies when situations demand it. You have a basic motivational approach. You are essentially active, passive or proactive. You hold to a certain set of values. You hold to traditional values, or you’re moving away from traditional values; or you’re challenging traditional values; or you’re trying to integrate new beliefs into your traditional values. You have a certain leadership style that impacts on how you learn. You may lead with your brainpower, your emotions or your “heart” level feelings. You have a unique past. Your age, education and experience provide the lens through which you view the process of learning. You have certain needs that you strive to meet. These may be security, social or spiritual needs. All of the above factors, plus others not mentioned, show that you are a unique person. This means that the program of learning you are taking with us has the capability of personal adaptation to and by you. CONTACT US
Address: 127 Gap Hill Road, Six Mile, SC 29682, USA. Tels.: +1(864) 810-8992/868-9850/(829) 883-0504
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