We consider ourselves blessed at Global University to participate with God in what He is doing by His Spirit around the world, including in the United States. We continue to focus on fulfilling our mission and count it not only a privilege but a joy to do so.
Burma Bible College
During September, I was able to return to Myanmar to continue to advance our Burma Bible College project. The Myanmar General Superintendent’s desire is to upgrade the training of existing pastors through Burma Bible College across Myanmar. To my surprise, the president of a Bible school asked if they could begin Global University’s MA program in English!
We worked through what seemed to be the greatest challenge: meeting admission requirements. A source was found locally that would provide Samsung tablets to hold our courses. . This project is moving forward and coming together quickly, with the Lord’s help. Twelve courses have been translated, enough for the first year of study. The key going forward will be to keep the translation and production of courses ahead of the student need.
In addition to upgrading the training for students, we have learned there are many church-based Bible institutes the Burma A/G is hoping to strengthen through Burma Bible College.
India College of Ministry (ICOM)
More than 7,000 students are now enrolled in India College of Ministry (ICOM). Translation of courses into nine non-English languages is picking up speed. The Android-based tablets supplied by Speed the Light are increasingly popular and have proved to be effective, which gives added creibility to the project.
Joel Ellis (Vice President of Global Operations) recently traveled to India and met with various leaders to help ensure the ICOM project continues to advance. Joel and I also recently met with Robert Jeyaraj, General Superintendent of the North India Assemblies of God, while he was in the United States. It appears that enrollment is about to increase dramatically.
China Bible College
During the first week of October we held a China Bible College event to raise additional resources for this project. The spirt of the event was tremendous, and the result was excellent. The Chair of the China Bible College Founder’s Board, Mark Lehmann, was present. Currently, we have over 22,000 students enrolled in China Bible College, despite a decrease in Internet speeds. God be praised!
Global University – Cuba
Global University Cuba continues to move decisively forward.
- There are currently 4,000 students—3,000 at the degree levels.
- The next graduation will be held the first week of February, with 250 graduates projected.
- The new National Director, Ariel Sanchez Castellanos, is doing a great job.
European School of Ministry
As a result of the last vision trip in April, a strategy and resources were found to help with the purchase of a building in Cergy, France—a Paris suburb—to serve as the training center for the European School of Ministry (ESOM). It was an unexpected blessing, as the pending Syrian refugee crisis was unknown at the time. Those who are being trained through ESOM are uniquely situated to minister to the numerous refugees who reach Western Europe.
In April 2016, we will lead another vision trip for the European School of Ministry. Interest in this missions project is growing at a greater rate than anticipated. We feel the ESOM is in place for such a time as this. Because the undergraduate curriculum is already in French, the remaining need is for scholarship funds to accelerate the training and church planting.
Armenia Bible College
Approximately 65 undergraduate students in Armenia began their second year of study with Armenia Bible College this month. Next month, a new cohort of students will begin the first year of the program. The numbers may seem small, but this project is of tremendous significance for the Armenian Pentecostal church, who view themselves as “A Lighthouse for Christ in a Sea of Islam.” Their vision goes beyond Armenia and includes sending missionaries to their surrounding countries, which are 98%+ Muslim.
G39 University (Prison Ministries)
Currently, there are nearly 4,000 prisoners across the United States studying through G39 University. The number changes daily due to the dynamics of the prison system.
In addition to the discipleship and training levels, the number of undergraduate and graduate students also continues to increase. Currently we have one prisoner studying at the DMin level. Chaplains at three prisons in Louisiana are hoping to use Global University exclusively to train “inmate chaplains” because of the effectiveness of the process and the accessibility of Global University. Manuel Cordero, the AG Chaplaincy Director, has stated that he believes the next revival coming to the United States will start in the prisons.
Arabic Bible College
In September we launched Arabic Bible College online, similar to China Bible College, where the only English words on the entire website are “A School of Global University.” Currently, there are six Christian Life courses on the site. By the end of this year we expect to have at least 12 courses available for enrollment, if not all 18. The launch was announced at five Bible school graduations across Egypt, with missionary David DeGarmo, Dean of the GU Graduate School of Theology, participating. One of the graduations was broadcast on satellite across the Arabic speaking world.
A missionary worker has stated that a number of groups are studying Global University’s Christian Life courses in Arabic, and the results are already astounding! To facilitate and expand the delivery of both the 18 Christian Life and 18 Christian Service courses, we sent 200 Kindles into the country. The groups of people who are studying are growing at such a rapid rate that the worker is now stating they need 500 Kindles by the end of the year. Part of the urgency is due to what the worker feels is a “closing window”; the fear is that this project will not be able to be kept secret and that when the authorities find out, there will be great persecution. Nonetheless, the groups continue to multiply and win people to Jesus.