HARVEST BIBLE CENTER
As the church planting in the villages of Maharashtra, India grew we found an urgent need to have trained pastors and evangelists, who could take the Good News of Jesus to these villages and towns. We wanted all our pastors to be grounded in the Word of God, so that they could present the Unchanging Gospel in the right manner and would be able to defend their faith. This urgent need, motivated us to start a Bible School Ministry, entitled Harvest Bible Center in Aurangabad, Maharashtra in June 2007.
The duration of the Bible Center is one year. After which all students are given a diploma upon their graduation. Our students have access to the International School of Ministry (ISOM)VCD's (in Hindi language) along with Pastor Paul Varghese's 25 year old resource of Bible Books, and lectures from many reputed visiting pastors from all over India. Their curriculum ranges across all aspects of ministry. They cover material on leadership in ministry, Genesis to Revelation, Gifts of the Holy Spirit, Evangelism, Family Relationships, Church planting etc.. This comprehensive and intense curriculum has helped our students to have access to world class Bible material in a small town of Aurangabad. In 2007, the first batch had 15 students (as shown below). Of these, three students came to know the Lord through our Prison Ministry. After submitting their life to Jesus, they were motivated to serve in full time ministry.
In 2008, thirteen students graduated from our Bible school. Ten of the thirteen students are now working with us in the villages. In 2008 we have 10 new students, of which six come from a Hindu family.One of the students, prior to joining the Bible school was going to commit suicide. Amazingly, God gave him an opportunity to hear the gospel from Pastor Paul, which helped him to commit his life for Christ. He was so encouraged with the Living Word of God that he desired to serve Jesus in ministry, hence joined the Bible School in 2008 to get grounded in the Word of God.
This Bible College is currently run in a rented building. However, in the future we desire to have our own building. Please pray for this ministry and if the Lord motivates you to support this ministry, please contact us.