The Vision - School of Ministry

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-12

Mission
The First Pentecostal School of Ministry was established January 19, 1999, to equip the saints of God for the work of ministry. It is the purpose of the School of Ministry to educate students, not so they can prove how much they know, but that they might properly present Christ to everyone with whom they have contact. The School of Ministry should impact every member of our church and community. Every student who completes the School of Ministry should become actively involved in the work of ministry in their church. Our ultimate mission is to fulfill the “great commission to make disciples of men.”

Preparing to Serve
It is so important for us, as believers, to remain focused and to be firmly committed to our faith in God. We need to make preparation for whatever is to come in the years ahead, so that we will be able to meet the needs of those around us. Isaiah 43:18 and 19 says, "Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” These words remind us that it is indeed time for a new beginning, and we must position ourselves for the manifestation of the Holy Spirit. We must forget the past and press forward, as we are instructed to do in Philippians 3:13 and 14, "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” We must forget past failures. We must forget past sin. God has new victories, miracles and experiences for us, in Him.
Each of us has received special gifts in proportion to what Christ has given us. The purpose of the School of Ministry is to prepare God’s people for the work of ministry, for the edification of the body of Christ. The School of Ministry is the place where the saints of God can come to prepare themselves for Christian service. We believe that if we educate the body of Christ, by rightly dividing the word of truth, every member will grow spiritually and the needs of the saints will be fulfilled. It is our specific goal for all students and every saint to be prepared to do the work of ministry and build up the body of Christ.

Curriculum
The curriculum of The School of Ministry is designed to provide students with opportunities to develop and strengthen the knowledge, attitudes and behaviors required of competent and responsible Christians, in order to enhance their effectiveness in witnessing the Word of God to others.

The School of Ministry is a three-year intensive program of Bible study. Students must successfully complete a total of eighteen required courses in order to graduate and earn a certificate.