Questions that I am asked:  Bible College?

In continuing the series, “Questions that I am asked”, I wanted to address the question about Bible College.  We have seen it a few times in our deputation travels.  A young man is excited about God, gets a glimpse of the need around the world for the Gospel of Jesus, and surrenders to go.  This is such a beautiful thing to see.  I love to talk to guys like this.  They are excited, nervous, unsure what to do next, they just love Jesus and want to give themselves so that people around the world can know and love Him too!  I was actually talking with one man about this very thing this week.  This time last year, he was on the verge of deciding to give himself to God fully in world evangelism.  He surrendered a few months later and now is contemplating Bible Colleges.

First off, let me say that I believe there are MANY Bible colleges out there to choose from.  So as I continue this post, I am not highlighting one to diminish another.  That being said, I have a strong bias in this subject.  Again, I do not think that there is only one place for men to go to train for the mission field.  This is my answer to this question I am asked from time to time.

I am a young man who has surrendered to go to the mission field, where should I go to college to prepare/train?

I am a HUGE proponent of the Our Generation Training Center. It is in Alpharetta, GA (near Atlanta). I am a part of the OGTC. Here are some things to consider about Bible College as a missionary…

• How many of their current students are missions majors? This is important because it will show where the emphasis is.
• What makes “this” specific bible college different from “that” bible college? Compare them!
• How much does it cost? Tuition, books, room and board (if applicable).
• As a missions major, why should I go to this school? Are there teachers who will invest in me that have experience on the mission field?

The OGTC (Our Generation Training Center) is very different. We do one thing, missions! We are led by missionaries. You will be taught by men who are on the field and who have been on the field. These men are proven, successful church-planting missionaries. Brother Austin Gardner is our leader and President. He is not just a president of OGTC, he will become your friend and mentor!  You will spend a lot of time with Brother Gardner. Brother Gardner was a missionary in Peru for around 20 years. Many, many men were trained and sent out, many churches were started. There are now Peruvians in Bolivia, Venezuela, Chile, Argentina, Burkina Faso (Africa), Morocco, and the U.S. (as well as other places).  These missionaries all came out of Bro. Gardner’s ministry. He is a proven missionary and he will give himself to you.  All of our teachers are missionaries or pastoral staff.  These men don’t just teach a class, they become friends with you.  The relationships will far outlast the class.

The cost is really affordable.  Monthly tuition is just $250 per month, and books/materials for classes is about $100-$200 per semester.  Housing for single students living in the OGTC provided apartments cost approximately $250 – $300 per month. These prices are based on the current apartment rent and monthly utilities. The price includes all utilities with the exception of telephone expenses. Our training center is a 3 year program.

What makes us different is that you will not only get academic knowledge from the Bible, but you will get ministry experience…

• Preach and/or teach 100 times.
• Disciple three people into faithful Christian maturity.
• Baptize five people (men only.)
• Perform the Lord’s Supper service (men only.)
• Prepare 100 sermon or lesson outlines.

As a student at our training center, you will also spend 6 months of the 3 years on the mission field training under a veteran missionary who is training men and planting churches.. This is time on the mission field with an experienced, veteran missionary who is proven. You will learn missions ON the mission field!

Again, in choosing a Bible College, there are many options.  After seeing with my own eyes the difference that the Our Generation Training Center offers, I gladly give my recommendation to anyone considering the mission field to go to the OGTC.

If you are going to be an accountant, engineer, or mechanic, the training center is probably not for you.  If you are going to be a missionary, come to the Our Generation Training Center.  If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask me.

For More Information: Our Generation Training Center , Online Application