Welcome to SBS International
A Testimony Shared at the Consultation PDF Print E-mail

Donna PetterDonna Petter began her message at the consultation by reading a letter from one of her students, Jonathan Black, at Gordon-Conwell. His letter made such an impression, encouraging us to be good stewards of the wonderful gift we have been given in SBS, that we wanted to share it here...

"If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasure; then you will discern the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God." Proverbs 2:4

Herzliche GruBe aus Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary! Nearly 17 years ago I stood on these very grounds, experiencing YWAM for the first time. Who would have imagined the fire that would be enflamed during that DTS in this quaint kuh-dorf of Hurlach? One year later I travelled to the other side of the world to begin my SBS at a new school recently started by Thom and Donna Petter in Honolulu HI. Such is life in YWAM.

I still recall my first day of class: OBSERVE, INTERPRET, APPLY! “For the next 9 months forget eating, sleeping and bathing. You will only OBSERVE, INTERPRET and APPLY!”  These weren’t the only things I picked up in SBS however. I have a confession to make. As Providence would have it, there was a godly and very beautiful young woman in the DTS a few doors down while I was trying to observe, interpret…and what was that? Oh yes, apply. Fortunately for my studies, Ginny went on outreach, and then on to the King’s Lodge in Nuneaton to complete her own SBS. I survived SBS and so did she. And I am happy to report, a few years later we were married. Such is life in YWAM.

A few days ago I graduated from these hallowed halls of seminary. I am a husband. A father. An ordained minister. A Naval officer. A servant of Christ Jesus. I say this proudly and confidently: NOTHING in life has prepared me to serve in these roles like SBS. 

Observation, Interpretation and Application begin in the holy text of Scripture; but they do not end there. Every aspect of my life has been shaped by these basic core principles of SBS. And that is something no seminary in the world can boast of.

It is such a blessing for my family and I to be members with you in the world-wide Body of Christ. And it is truly an honor to be counted one of the few, like you, who have known the life-changing experience that is SBS.

May the God of all wisdom and grace grant you peace.

Sincerely,

Jonathan Black
 
SBS Consultation 2009 Report PDF Print E-mail

By Ron Smith

HurlachOn May 14-18, The School of Biblical Studies worldwide met together in Hurlach, Germany with 110 people from over 30 countries attending. We listened, prayed and fellowshipped for these days. Several different ministries were represented at the meeting.


We heard Don Gillman speak on change.  Danny Lehmann encouraged us in evangelism. Tom Petter spoke on preaching and protecting the simple gospel.  Donna Petter encouraged us to love the God of the Bible and not simply love the Bible.  As well, there were several other meetings held to further the cause of Biblical Studies inside and outside of YWAM. Commissioning

The SBS committed to partnering in a more deliberate way with the Frontier Missions movement in YWAM to take Bible study to the toughest and least reached parts of the world.

We also thought through, spoke and prayed about dividing the world into 4 different areas with Resource hubs in strategic locations to further the cause of the Bible worldwide.

We thank the YWAM Hurlach staff and students for hosting and showing us godly hospitality while we were there.

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Featured School: Muizenberg South Africa PDF Print E-mail
SBS 2008
By Chris Lautsbaugh
 
The School of Biblical Studies in Muizenberg, South Africa is one of the longest running SBS's in the world! It is a perfect location to study with beautiful scenery and a schedule that keeps most of the school in the warm weather months! The 9 month SBS is one of many facets of the Biblical Studies department in Muizenberg. It is this diversity that brings a unique and challenging experience to the students. One of our themes is "having a vision bigger than the classroom".

South Africa is a land of contrasts, from extreme wealth to extreme poverty. Living in one of the world's youngest democracies gives our students the unique ability to be involved in local outreaches that can have an impact on molding a nation. This offers a great change of pace from their studies. Students are able to participate in ministry atBeach orphanages, to refugees, as well as teaching opportunities in influential sites such as police stations. We hope to begin Bible studies in one of the largest prisons in South Africa shortly. This keeps the students fresh and focused on the greater needs during their studies.

Titus Project is also run at this location. Upon the completion of their school, students can stay on and take this excellent teacher training course followed by an outreach. This year we are keeping two teams locally as well as sending others to Tanzania and other southern Africa nations.

StudyingSeveral of the Titus outreaches have launched longer partnerships and pioneering projects. We have a partnership and staff exchange program with the SBS in Arusha, Tanzania as well as the adoption of an omega zone; Botswana. Our goal here is to see a YWAM work established in one of Africa's most successful nations. Recently, Muizenberg was named the resource hub for SBS in Africa, which will help us stay connected to the other programs on the continent. Being a hub is actually a bigger part of the vision, not merely for resources but more importantly people. Muizenberg is a hub to launch people into ministry on the African continent.

A glimpse of what life in SBS Muizenberg is like is defined by our values, using words like: Grace Focused, Committed to Discipleship, Team/Tribe, Living a Balanced Life, and Being Africa Focused

In short, an SBS in Muizenberg exposes the students to a wide variety of ministry opportunities in Africa. As the students are invested in, we want to remind them that it is for the purpose of being a blessing to others. 
 
New Audio Bible Studies: 2 & 3 John, 2 Corinthians, 2 Timothy PDF Print E-mail

I am in process of uploading a number of class lectures and the podcasts to this link.  Click here or find it under Audio/Video on the main menu.

New Downloads:

 

Reflections 3/09

 

Nobody ever outgrows Scripture; the Book widens and deepens with our years

~Charles Haddon Spurgeon~

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