Sunset Satellite Schools

The 2010 Administrators Workshop saw 37 receive training and certification to better equip them to operate satellite schools in their home congregations. Some already oversee schools, while many are in the planning and implementation stage for their schools. Soon we will be posting photos of the workshop as well as video of the main training sessions on this website.  (Pictured is Woody Woods receiving his Administrators Certification from Bill Powers at the 2009 workshop.)

Above is the Fall 2009 class of Fulton Bible Institute in Fulton, Mississippi. Administrator Russ Crosswhite reports they average 51 students per class coming from 15 different area congregations! They have just finished the Bible History II course.

Because of recent changes and additions to our Satellite School program, a new edition of the Satellite School Handbook has been published. We encourage all of our current administrators and other interested parties to download this latest version, or call us to request a printed copy. Additions and changes include details about the bachelors degree program, updated costs and fees, a current list of textbooks and other materials required for each course, and our expanded course offerings. Click here to download a copy.

by Jen, age 35 – now a part of the Erie Church of Christ in Erie, Pennsylvania

I had never heard of the churches of Christ. I was not a Christian when I came to Erie Bible Institute (EBI), but I was seeking God. I prayed for direction, not knowing where to go, and went to the Yellow Pages, (I had to start somewhere!) and found a lot of division and confusion. Have you ever read the headings there? I didn’t understand most of the classifications…Apostolic (?)…Baptist–the "just Baptist groups" , Independent, Southern (in Erie, PA?)…Evangelical (and no one else is?)…Full Gospel…Gospel (apparently the just "Gospel" group were missing something)…etc. I believe under "Non-denominational" I found an ad for Erie Bible Institute and the church of Christ.

I didn’t trust the doctrine of men, but I did want to study the Word of God. The first week I attended a worship service at the church of Christ, "just happened" to be the first week of the EBI semester. It was through study at EBI, and the love of the people I met there and the support of the church (not to mention the work of the Holy Spirit who made it possible) that I became a baptized believer and disciple of Jesus Christ. So, yeah, I guess you could say I think it’s beneficial.

What I love about EBI:
• Undemanding learning – Although we attend class in a building belonging to a church, as a non-believer I wasn’t worried that I’d be asked to place membership or take on a responsibility or role I didn’t want or for which I wasn’t ready. I was there solely to study the Word of God. The classroom is a known and comfortable environment for many people in the world—unlike participating in worship services with an unfamiliar religious group.
• Focused studying on the Word of God – We have an agenda and we stick with it. Read the rest of this entry »

Begun In 1994 the Satellite School Program started as video and audio tapes of the Preaching School instructors teaching the preacher students.  As technology progressed, the tapes were replaced by CDs and DVDs.  To date, 393 satellite schools in congregations were begun by people in the pews desiring such an in-depth study of the Bible.

Beginning this year, our credit-level courses can lead to a Bachelors Degree in Biblical Studies and even a Masters Degree.  The 40 course curriculum can still be taken on an Audit basis requiring no tests, reports or memorization, simply for a deeper knowledge of God’s Word.

Those of you with Satellite Schools, are “partnered” with something much bigger than you dreamed – world-wide!  Subsequent posts will try to describe each of your partners with God – stay tuned!

If you don’t have access to a Satellite School near you, consult with your elders about this effective way to “feed their flock”.  We will help you – even by coming to speak with your elders or address your congregations. Just ask us! We will come.

In Him,  Bill Powers

 In 1962, Cline Paden, a missionary to Italy and Denmark, returned to West Texas with his wife, Jo. He asked the Sunset Church of Christ in Lubbock to support his efforts in starting the Latin American Bible School to train Spanish speaking preachers. (The first class of students is pictured here.) They did and it grew over the years to become the Sunset International Bible Institute.
     The Sunset congregation now numbers around 1,200 members, and is considered an evangelistic congregation by any standard. The Sunset International Bible Institute (SIBI) with its many diversified programs is all under the oversight of the Sunset Church of Christ elders.
     In addition to the original residental preacher training school, SIBI also includes the External Studies Division, the Adventures in Missions Program, the International Division, the Senior Adventures in Ministry Program, and the American Sign Language department. We can also speak of the SIBI trained missionaries supported by the Sunset congregation. Isn’t it amazing, so truly marvelous, how God has spread His word and story throughout the world with a handful of His people?  To God by the glory!!
     More to come, so visit this site often – and leave a comment if you desire.

– Bill Powers, Satellite School Coordinator

He wasn’t much for stirrin’ out,
It wasn’t his desire;
No matter what the others did,
He was sittin’ by the fire.

Same old habit, day by day,
He never seemed to tire;
While others helped to build God’s church,
He was sittin’ by the fire.

And when he died as we all will do,
They said he probably went higher;
But if he’s doing what he always did,
He’s still sittin’ by the Fire!
– Author Unknown –

We all have that choice, don’t we! Our Lord did, too. No sin to be tempted; it’s in the decision after all. We must teach, live and preach the Word!

– Bill Powers, Satellite Schools Coordinator

The Sunset Satellite School Program is a part of the Sunset Extension School, which is a part of the Sunset International Bible Institute. Every part of Sunset has the same set of goals:

To Train Whole Persons to Preach the Whole Gospel
to the Whole World… Wholly to Please God!

To do this we are committed to training each person in the use of God’s Word, in achieving spiritual and emotional wholeness in his or her personal and family life, in reaching maturity in the Christian faith, and in becoming what God gifted and purposed him or her to be.

Congratulations to these Graduates from our wonderful Satellite and Extension Schools.

Bachelor of Biblical Studies

David Hankins
Needville, TX
Needville Institute of Biblical Studies

Joshua Taliaferro
Needville, TX
Posthumously Awarded Bachelor of Biblical Studies

Read the rest of this entry »

The Fulton Bible Institute satellite school in Fulton, Mississippi has just completed the Bible History I course. Russ Crosswhite, school administrator and evangelist for the church there writes: "We averaged 46 students from 16 congregations in the Northeast Mississippi area. The enclosed picture is from our ‘end of course’ banquet." The class was also highlighted in a recent issue of the church’s bulletin. The church’s website is www.fultonmschurchofchrist.com.