Sunset Satellite Schools

The Keller School of Biblical Studies is part of the work of the Keller Church of Christ in Keller, Texas. Begun in September 2008, Robert McGaughey is the administrator. By April 13, 2010 they had successfully completed all the requirements to be recognized by Sunset International Bible Institute as a Certified Satellite School. Keller is the 17th school to be certified by Sunset. The church’s website is at www.kellercofc.org.

As of January 1, 2010 the fees for each course taken toward a Bachelor of Biblical Studies Degree* are as follows: Students studying toward a Bachelor of Biblical Studies will pay $90.00 per course; those studying toward a Certificate of Biblical Studies will pay $45.00 per course. Audit students who want to receive a certificate of completion from Sunset will pay $10.00 per course. Fees are due the first week of each course.
   *Credits toward degrees are not granted in states in which our degree program is not recognized or authorized. Satellite administrators are advised to check with their state higher education board.

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.

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. More than 100 churches have successful satellite schools, training hundreds of people to be more effective disciples and soul-winners.

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

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.

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.

The 2009 Sunset International Bible Institute graduation exercises will take place on Saturday, May 23rd at 10:00 am in the Sunset Church of Christ auditorium, 3723 34th Street, Lubbock, Texas.

All Satellite School graduates who are planning to attend and receive their certificates must immediately fill out our Graduation Form (click to download) and return to us along with a suitable photo for inclusion in the graduation program. See the Graduation Form for all details. We must receive your form and photo no later than Friday, May 9.
 

Schedule of Events

Ladies’ Salad Supper – Thursday, May 21 – 6:00 pm – Sunset Church of Christ Hall of Flags

Graduation Banquet – Friday, May 22 – 5:30 pm – Sunset Church of Christ Family Life Center

Graduation Exercises – Saturday, May 23 – 10:00 am – Sunset Church of Christ Auditorium

Under the  CURRENT SCHOOLS link at the top of this page is a list of 76 satellite schools in 31 states. We realize this is not a complete list of active schools but we need your help to update and expand it.

If you have an active satellite school please e-mail or call us so we can add your school to the list. This will help us and others refer contacts and potential students to you.

Satellite School Administrators’ Training Workshop
January 22 – 23, 2009  •  Lubbock, Texas

Our next Administrators’ Training Workshop will be held together with the 2009 Sunset Workshop  in January, 2009 at the Sunset International Bible Institute. This is an important time for those planning or considering a new Satellite School program in their area. It is also a time for many current administrators to renew and refresh; we do recommend participation in our training workshop at least once every three years.
Read the rest of this entry »