Mission Statement
GCBI is a one-year, Bible institute that exists for the purpose of producing people of Godly character who are Biblically grounded and effective in practical Christian ministry. Effectiveness in Christian service is measured by the influence that is exerted in the lives of others to lead them to Christ and to shepherd them towards spiritual maturity.
Philosophy of Education
There are many places one can study the Bible, but none like GCBI.
Our chief concern for our students is that they build solid Biblical convictions based on their guided personal study of the Word of God. We are convinced that in 2 Timothy 3:16, the Holy Spirit used the Apostle Paul to instruct a younger man in ministry (Timothy) on the way to a completed training in godly living. Paul wrote that the sixty-six books of the Bible were God’s Divine plan to produce effective and holy disciples. In this way we desire our students to master the content of many Biblical studies and to be changed by concepts as they use the material in their life, work and ministries. Further, the training for service will be offered in direct connection to local church ministry – the Biblically mandated and practical form for the body of Messiah today.
To achieve this outcome, the total curriculum is based on Biblical studies, leadership development, personal discipleship, and evangelism. This program stresses integration of classroom preparation with the practice of serving. Students have the benefit of a team in order to meet these goals: classroom instructors (Dr. Randall Smith, Aaron Michaud) and spiritual mentors (David and Kirsten Nickisch) who have a great deal of practical ministry experience and a wealth of spiritual wisdom. Dr. Smith will focus attention on carefully understanding and applying the Scriptures while Cameron and Sarah will work with Scriptural application in the lifestyle issues that shape maturity.
Another unique feature of the instructional program is its relationship to local church ministry, as well as work on active mission fields. While many educational programs are removed from the local church, this experience is designed to help students function in the local church while working within that context. Another part of every student’s experience is on a functioning mission field, actively helping while gaining exposure to the people and challenges of the field.
