BIBLE COL | colin-lambert

HARVEST FAITH BIBLE COLLEGE COMMENCED MARCH 2016

PAST FAILURES:

Here is a new one for the books. Yes I'm going to tell you why the first bible college failed.

1) Funded by a western missionary organisation on a welfare basis. The western missionary organisation left and so did the welfare funding. You get what you pay for.

2) Sometimes the teachers were paid and sometimes not. You get what you pay for.

3) The students were non-fee paying. They got what they paid for.

I trust you see the problem. You get what you pay for!

BIBLE COLLEGE UPDATE:

The in principle idea mentioned below is really good and it will work. I'm suspecting that the fulfilment of it will take place perhaps in 5 years time.

We haven’t conducted a Bible College since 2016 mainly due to finances. It is ever on my heart to develop a Spirit Filled Bible College in Manipur however there is a trade-off in both time and finances. It is hard to take finances away from the current revival to develop a Bible College. Patience is really needed. It will happen particularly after I reach the age of 65 when I will have the time to devote to both. Please email me if you would like to know more or you would be prepared to help us financially. We could really use your help.

MOVING FORWARD: IN PRINCIPLE IDEAS:

1) Ultimately the bible college model should be similar to that of churh planting pastors. Internationally partnered funding should only be developmental as the bible college seeks self sufficiency. (see 1. above) Welfare funding should only be used until the bible college is self-funded.

2) Students should pay for their education at least in part. This promotes ownership and pride of achievement.

3) Students could be seen as an asset base. Students could be employed while at the bible college in payment of fees providing it doesn't impede their studies.

4) Students could fund the payment of their studies post training via their ministry opportunities.

5) The bible college should look at additional forms of income such as seminars provided to the body of Christ and seminars by international ministries also open to the body of Christ.

6) Post graduate training on a student fee paying basis.

7) A nine month intensive training of church planting pastors.

Certificate in Christian Ministry
Diploma in Theology
Degree in Theology

8) Construction and implementation of a business plan for the bible college.

9) Paid membership to an association of past students. Similar say to CPA in structure to a lesser degree.

10) More than likely due to transportation costs, tuition will be live in at the Diplomatic Centre used as the bible college.

11) The pastor is more than likely going to be supported by the income producing activities of his wife. Therefore the training is directed towards the church planting pastor and the wife.

Our primary aim is to be a self-funded Bible College. However, at first this may not be possible due to the initial set up costs involved. The mix of teachers should be both international and indigenous to give a broad based frame of reference to students. The running costs of the college are immediately reduced because rental isn’t required. The building is owned outright. Good local teachers will be paid appropriately to ensure continuity of tenure. In the short term, it is envisaged that international teachers will be self-funded and will be assigned to teach parts of the curriculum on the basis of their time availability.

We build on the base of what God gives us. When the resources present themselves the Bible College will start. The curriculum has been written for the certificate and diploma course. In March 2016, we will start our pilot program for the certificate course for ten male students from the area of Saitol. If you would like to contribute towards this ministry through teaching or finance please contact us. Now is a very vital time. Please refer to the how to donate page.

THE FIRST BATCH OF HARVEST FAITH BIBLE COLLEGE COMMENCE THEIR CERTIFICATE IN CHRISTIAN MINISTRY OVER THREE MONTHS MAR 2016 - MAY 2016. PLEASE HELP US SEE HOW TO DONATE TAB

We build on the base of what God gives us. When the resources present themselves the Bible College will start. The curriculum has been written for the certificate and diploma course. In March 2016, we will start our pilot program for the certificate course for ten male students. If you would like to contribute towards this ministry through teaching or finance please contact us. Now is a very vital time. Please refer to the how to donate page.

A PROGRESSIVE VISION FOR THE VAIPHEI CHRISTIAN CHURCH (VCC) AND REACHING THE STATES OF NORTH EAST INDIA

MISSION STATEMENT:

To work with the God in bringing a Holy Spirit revival to the North East Indian States which will see them significantly won to Jesus Christ as prophesied in Joel 2:28-32. To see beyond the nation of India and to be world focused as success and opportunities arise.

PRINCIPLES OF FULFILMENT (GENERALLY):

To provide a basis of ministry that will enable the Holy Spirit to move sovereignly in revival across the States of North East India and world-wide.
The VCC and the people of the surrounding States are best suited to reaching their own nation(s).
Where possible the VCC should be self-supporting investing in its’ own ministry.
It is acknowledged that short term welfare based financial assistance may be needed in the short term, before the VCC can be self-supporting in its’ own right.
Financial support from other nations should have a major focus of being developmental rather than welfare based.
Revival presents the need for a functional Bible College to assist in the raising up and training of leaders to further fan the flames of revival. The Bible College will be established in accordance with the principles of fulfilment here stated.
The ministry of the Bible College graduates will structure their ministry on the pattern of the successful VCC model of self-funding through developmental loans.
To obtain international support through development loans that will enable church ministry to be self-supporting.
Although the VCC from time to time shall use its’ own resources for bible distribution, given the numbers of people coming to Christ and the need for bibles, ongoing external funding may be required to fulfil this goal.
To establish a vibrant local church in Imphal, the capital city of Manipur.
To work with other churches outside our denomination and see the release of the Holy Spirit in their ministry.
To partner with Capture and Release Ministries Inc. in Australia.

PRINCIPLES OF FULFILMENT (BIBLE COLLEGE):

BACKGROUND:

There is 90% unemployment in Manipur. We are dreaming if we expect students to be full fee paying over a three year course. A Bible College that relies solely on international support will be either ineffective or controlled by the source of funding. If that funding stops more than likely the Bible College will stop.

STEPS:

To run a Bible College which is as self-sufficient as it can be. The facility already exists but is currently financially challenged.
To provide student loans to meet the fee structure that will be paid back by the student over time.
To provide business development loans to graduates that will enable their ministry to be self-sufficient. This will be subject to a clearly defined arrangement. Students must submit a business plan for the success of the developmental venture.
To copy the successful VCC model in the students future ministry.
To conduct a three month intensive Bible College course in the basics of ministry to lay a foundational experience for the student’s future ministry.
Students will be expected to follow up with additional intensives over the life of their ministry.
Additional mentoring support will be given to students throughout the life of their ministry.
Students will contribute $150 towards the course fee as an investment into their future ministry. The balance of $350 to be repaid from the success of their business development loan.
To conduct fee paying seminars to the body of Christ through Bible College seminars and the subsequent Bible College Fees.
The selection of Bible College candidates will be those most likely to have Holy Spirit inspired ministry. More than likely they will be from areas that have seen a significant revival.
A development macro-loan in the vicinity of AU $10,000 may be given to a successful group of graduates for the funding of their future ministry to develop their tribal land. The business venture proceeds will be used to pay their school fees and future training development. This poses an interesting challenge for the graduates to work together after their course and to also be successful in both business and ministry.
Note the Bible College also accepts female candidates. A greater preference is given to husband and wife teams but selection is not exclusively chosen from these.

ORDINATION AND AFFILIATION:

After the three month course, Bible College Students if willing can undergo an ordination process. Nine months after completing the Bible College course and after their progress in ministry has been observed ordination under the covering of the VCC denomination can be given. All ordination certificates are issued subject to a ministerial code of conduct and must be surrendered if those terms aren’t met. One of the requirements is a commitment to ongoing training.
Through ordination and affiliation strong links of fellowship can be developed with cross pollination of ministry within the VCC.
Once ordained, ministers can be released into other denominations however Bible College fees are expected to be paid in full even if a development loan hasn’t been given to the student.

This structure provides a self-sustaining model because as development loans are paid back, they can be given again to new beneficiaries assuming the success of the business ventures.