A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE COLLEGE

Gospel Mission of India (GMI) is committed to serving the church and people of India spiritually and holistically through various means and programs such as the provision of fresh water, healthcare, and education in underserved areas, the construction of church buildings and community halls in remote places, evangelistic outreaches, and church planting. The organization conducts programmes, seminars, and conferences for church leaders and Christian workers and coordinates humanitarian, evangelistic, and benevolent campaigns. GMI was registered under the Societies Registration Act (of 1860) in 1993 with Reg’d. No. 209/1993.

Through its interaction with the church and society in these outreaches, the organization became aware of the acute need to assist young people who hear the call to Christian service. Many are eager to work in new areas and carry out vital ministries, but they lack the opportunity to study and prepare themselves for their callings. In 1984, GMI began a Diploma in Theology course and trained 30 students each year as evangelists and church planters in underprivileged urban and rural areas.

After 16 years, the need was felt for a full-fledged theological college with recognized degree programmes. Bethel Bible College was started in 2000 to meet this urgent need. Initially, the College offered the M.Div. degree in association with the Asia Theological Association. The college was provisionally affiliated to the Senate of Serampore College (University) from June 2005 to offer B.D. (Bachelor of Divinity) degree studies and the affiliation was confirmed in 2009. Due to the paramount relevance of B.D. (English medium) degree studies in the context of Indian churches and society, the other programmes were discontinued.

The first Principal (2003-2005) of Bethel Bible College was the Rt. Rev. Dr. P. Victor Premasagar (1927-2005), former Moderator of the Church of South India. It is due to his faithful and tireless dedication to the development of the institution that the College was able to move forward and apply for affiliation with Serampore. The College will always cherish his life and memory and his invaluable contributions to the College. Dr. S. Robertson succeeded Bishop Premasagar as the second Principal of the College from November 2005.

MISSION STATEMENT

Bethel Bible College is a vision pursued, a venture of faith, with the mission of equipping young men and women to share the Gospel, plant new churches, and provide pastoral and other services to the church and society.

The College, its faculty, Board of Directors, and supporters are interdenominational and ecumenical in orientation, united by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and rooted in the Bible. Soli Deo gloria!

AIMS & OBJECTIVES

1. To faithfully contribute to the completion of the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20) of the Lord Jesus Christ and the edification of His Church (Eph. 4:1-16).
2. To provide a spiritually and academically excellent education to young men and women called to serve as pastors, evangelists, teachers, and future leaders of the church.
3. To provide ongoing practical ministry opportunities for the students and to the benefit of the church and neighboring communities.
4. To further within India the causes of theological education, the strengthening of cultural and communal harmony, and the development of society.

VALUES OF THE COLLEGE

Theological Values

The College is committed to the lordship of Jesus Christ and the up-building of His church as the aim of theological education. All courses and activities are centered on the Bible, the foundation of our common faith. The College seeks to help students to be faithful to the Scriptures and to sincerely apply them, holistically, to their own lives and contexts. Thus, prayer, worship, and service are integral parts of the College’s programme. As the College is ecumenical and interdenominational in orientation, students are also encouraged to learn from and participate in the rich traditions of other churches and denominations.

Educational Values

The College follows the syllabus for the B.D. programme as provided by the Senate of Serampore College (revised in 2010). The syllabus is broad in scope and contextual in application. As such, the College and its faculty members seek to apply the latest insights and resources to the instructional process so that students are well-equipped for future ministry and further studies. The College’s library is rapidly developing and is well stocked with both the latest scholarship as well as the best of traditional and foundational works.

Relational and Personal Values

The College and its faculty recognize the dignity and worth of each individual student and seek to serve them in their growth and development. The students and faculty meet in prayer each morning and throughout the day have opportunities for interaction apart from the classroom. In addition, special events throughout the year help the student body to grow together as a community. The College desires for the success of each student and offers career and other counseling as applicable in order to help students make the most of their time at the College.

Ministerial Values

The College and its faculty believe that while theological education is foundational to ministry, its one true end can only be ministry. Accordingly, while at the College, students are encouraged to discover and exercise their spiritual gifts and God-given talents in order to set out on the path of fulfilling their callings.

Students are given ample opportunities to acquire practical experience during their studies. Bethel Bible College is located near a slum in Guntur, and its life and ministry are deeply connected with the local church, community, and neighboring villages. Students have constant opportunities for ministry in the immediate setting.

In compliance with the stipulations of the Senate of Serampore College/University all B.D. students undergo week-end practical ministry and a six-month internship program. In line with the new curriculum, the six month intensive practical work is normally adjusted with summer holidays and Christmas vacation. This may also be arranged with their own churches and dioceses; the College keeps in close contact with these churches to help ensure that the students progress and develop as needed. Other internship opportunities are also available, as well as occasional ministry field trips to other parts of Andhra Pradesh and other states in India.

The kind of intensive field education that can be suggested is as follows: 

First year: To be decided by each College

Second year: Rural field education

Third year: Urban field education

Fourth year: Working with NGO

Fifth year: Pastoral ministry

BETHEL BIBLE COLLEGE

BBC CHAPEL

BBC CHAPEL

BBC LIBRARY

BBC MESS HALL

COURSES :

Five Year B.D.

Eligibility: Intermediate / +2 Passed

Four Year B.D.

Eligibility: Graduates from any recognized university

B.Th. Upgrading to B.D.

<55% Three Years

>55% Two Years

DISTANCE EDUCATION:

Earn a Theological Degree through Distance Education

Excellent Opportunities for:

Pastors/Evangelists
Govt./Private Employees
Housewives
College Students

Bethel Bible College, a ministry of Gospel Mission of India, has taken up one more serious challenge to equip the body of Christ to fulfill the great commission by offering two distance education courses of the Senate of Serampore College (University).

Many dream about a systematic theological education and a university degree along with profession that they are involved in. We manage to fulfill your dream by offering “Bachelor of Christian Studies”(B.C.S) and “Diploma in Christian Studies”(Dip.C.S) of the Senate of Serampore College (University) at Guntur

Degrees Offered:

1) Bachelor of Christian Studies (B.C.S)

2) Diploma in Christian Studies (Dip.C.S)

COURSE	DURATION	MEDIUM	ELIGIBILITY
B.C.S	4 Years	English	Graduation in any Subject
Dip.C.S	2 Years	English	Inter Pass (10+2)

LIBRARY & FACILITIES

The College is located on a well laid-out, two acre piece of land within the city of Guntur. It has adequate facilities to accommodate over 150 students. Accommodation for married students is not presently available on the campus.

The library holds over 15,000 books and journals, including important recent titles from all the relevant theological, religious, and social science disciplines.