The Foundation Bible Institute — or the FBI — opened for its first semester this fall and offers three different degree programs. A student can pursue a one-year Bible certificate program, an associate’s degree in Biblical studies or a bachelor’s degree in Biblical studies.
“For over five years I had felt led to start a Bible institute or Bible college that was very affordable and geared to help people serve the Kingdom through the local church,” said Dustin Henshaw, assistant principal of Cornerstone Christian Academy in Rainsville and pastor of Happy Home Baptist Church in Henagar in Sand Mountain Baptist Association.
For five years, Henshaw noted, he researched the way other institutions were teaching and looked at several educational philosophies and styles. He researched many different curricula and resources they were using as well.
“I reached out to many close friends and pastors to get their input and prayers. I formed a board of directors for the school, and we are currently forming a 501(c)(3),” he said.
Rex Creswell, president of the board, noted that the “training and education being done by the institute is very important to our churches in our area. There is a need for an affordable option for expanding Biblical instruction.
“Dr. Henshaw believes that through the well-rounded systematic studies in things like survey classes or pastoral ministries or evangelism and church ministries that the institute will help fill the need for further education for our people.”
The board of directors for the institute, Creswell said, is more involved than the boards of other similar organizations, and they make sure the financial accountability is transparent and the diverse group that makes up the board works well together to accomplish the school’s goals.
Seeing a need
Creswell noted the idea for a school like this came from the need that Henshaw saw for further training in the area for people wanting to dig deeper into their faith. He and Henshaw were in discussion about this institute very early on, and Creswell said he saw Henshaw’s vision very clearly. It was easy for him to get involved with Henshaw and his idea for this venture.
“Many don’t have the opportunity to go to a seminary in person, and the cost for some is prohibitive for online classes,” he said.
The Foundation Bible Institute appeals to more people than just those working to be pastors.
“Some people may want to just deepen their education,” Creswell said. “Some are bivocational pastors and are stressed already but want to deepen their understanding with a well-rounded scope and sequence of study. Some are young people who feel the call into ministry and want to dive deeper into Scripture and get clarity in their calling.”
Henshaw and the board also wanted to offer an amount of work that students can handle along with working full time and having families and other responsibilities.
“The content has been beneficial and the homework manageable, but most importantly — for someone working full time and serving a local church — class is once per week on Thursday nights, so it fits in my busy schedule,” said Robert Reed, one of the students at the institute. He said he has been a bivocational music minister for 25 years, including the last 15 at Nazareth Baptist Church in Rainsville. Over the past year he has felt God drawing him more and more toward preaching and pastoral ministry, so he was excited to learn about the Bible institute where he could continue his education, learn more about God’s Word and develop his communication skills to more effectively serve the body of Christ.
Requirements
Each student has to register and be accepted to the school in order to attend. Henshaw said students have to have a high school diploma or a GED, and they must be active in their local church.
“We were blessed to have 30 students enrolled to start our first semester,” Henshaw said. “We have pastors, preachers, youth pastors, Sunday School teachers, deacons, women’s ministry leaders and people who serve in many ways in their church.”
The classes are nine weeks long, and they offer two classes each nine weeks. The classes meet in Happy Home Baptist Church. The cost is $125 per class, which includes all books and materials. They offer discounts for pastors and church staff members, and they also allow students to audit classes for $75 per class.
Henshaw is not the only teacher for the school. He shares that responsibility with James Jeffery, Glenn York and David Patty. He said they also plan to bring in other teachers at different times to do minisemesters and special studies.
“My heart is ready to help each student be more effective and confident in whatever ministry God has called them into. I think our mission says it best. The mission statement of the Foundation Bible Institute is to equip students to impact the world with the gospel through a biblically grounded education, a caring faculty and a strong emphasis on evangelism, discipleship, missions and the local church,” Henshaw said.
Many hats
Henshaw has been supported by his family and church during the time he has invested to get the school running. He said that while his wife thinks he might wear too many hats, they all are very supportive, and the church sees his role with Cornerstone Christian Academy as a great blessing to the church he pastors.
“At times it can be demanding, but I’ve been blessed with a wonderful family that supports me,” said Henshaw.
Share with others: