by Jim Edge
Thinking globally today, the United States is no longer the center of the universe. Nowhere could that be seen more clearly than at our recent international BBFI meeting in the Philippines. Those who attended the meeting saw the fruit of the past 60 years of missionary work — the product of Baptist Bible College and the BBFI in countries around the world.
In many countries, our American graduates have won nationals to Christ, who have then planted churches. Those churches are now sending their own people to places like Cambodia, Ghana, Vietnam, and many other places. Not only are they sending out missionaries, but these missionaries are supported by the national churches and fellowships. In fact, Japan, Korea, and the Philippines (just to name a few) now have Bible colleges patterned after Baptist Bible College and are sending mission graduates all over the region. Looking ahead, our trustees, administration, and faculty are shaping Baptist Bible College to become even more effective and missional.
In order to accomplish our goal of global relevance, we are strengthening a number of strategic relationships around the world. We are creating more opportunities for professors from BBC to teach in Bible colleges globally. Many of these colleges are patterned after BBC and look to us for encouragement and guidance.
We are creating opportunities for our students to travel to other countries for faculty-directed field studies. Our goal is for every student to have the opportunity to travel abroad during their undergraduate studies. This “world class” education will broaden the vision and increase the burden of our students for other cultures.
Churches are seeking staff members and pastors who have a global mindset. Baptist Bible College graduates must be well versed on the cultural realities around the world, including an understanding of social structures, thinking mechanisms, and worldviews. Our focus is on exposing and sensitizing students to the nuances of doing ministry across national frontiers. These international internships, faculty-directed field studies, and other travel opportunities will give our students real-world ministry skills, deepen their passion for the lost, and develop within them a heart of gratitude.
These five priorities have become the compass that guides our trustees, faculty, and administration:
- An emphasis on the spiritual formation of every student
- A solid independent Baptist Biblical interpretation
- Regionally accredited academic excellence
- A conservative worldview
- Global relevance
Five excellent reasons why you can trust your students to the faculty and administration of BBC. I invite you to visit our campus any time to find a sense of excitement that is contagious and students who are committed to following the Great Commission now.