Six inmates at the Bibb County Correctional Facility in Brent graduated from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS) Extension Center System May 27 and received certificates of ministry.
“This was an historic occasion,” said Jimmy Dukes of Atlanta, dean of the seminary extension center system. “The only other prison program we have is at Angola Prison in Louisiana. It was a very positive day for the inmates and for their families.”
Chaplain Eddie Smith said several of the graduates had been transferred in the prison system and were not present for the graduation, but would receive their certificates.
Bob Hall, director of the NOBTS Extension Center in Birmingham, served as coordinator for the program. The men earned certificates in biblical studies, Hall said. Eight classes are required for the basic certificate. If an inmate upon release applies to our school and is accepted, he will receive one hour of college credit for each course in either our associate or bachelor’s degree program. If he has completed two certificates, he can use this work as his minor for the bachelor’s degree.
More educational credit
Hall explained that other schools might offer credit, too. It all depends on the school and the registrar, he said. There is potential for these men receiving some college credit at other institutions if they have completed high school or have their GED high school equivalents.
The eight courses included surveys of both Old Testament and New Testament and intensive studies in a number of individual books. The courses required extensive reading, testing and research projects.
Smith said each of the eight classes had 20–25 students. Some students have been transferred to other prisons, some have been released and others got into the program too late for the first graduation.
“Each student was asked to raise money to pay for the course,” Smith said. “Families and churches helped with this. One graduate was sponsored by his Sunday School class in Tuscaloosa and they provided funds for his study.”
The Tuscaloosa Baptist Association served as custodian of funds.
Smith called the program “positive and upbeat” and is eager to continue the ministry.
Dukes said there are two options for the future. One is to repeat the extension program for other inmates. The second is to offer a faith-based certificate program in either biblical studies or Christian growth. This program would carry no academic credit but would be treated as continuing education. Duke and Hall are still in conversation with Smith about the best direction for the Bibb center.
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