Beautiful trees in front of a sunset.

On Campus

The Bible Training Center

The Bible Training Center (BTC) offers a three-year degree program for French-speaking African preachers on an 18-acre campus. The Zinvie, Benin campus includes classrooms, student living space and a cafeteria. Students and alumni represent 12 countries across French-speaking West Africa, including: Benin, Togo, Chad, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Gabon, Burundi, Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea and Niger. Many of these countries have a BTC graduate as a located preacher working there.

As a result of generous gifts from congregations, organizations and individuals, BTC students pay no tuition. Before being selected to enroll and begin their studies, applicants pass a thorough screening, interview with BTC staff and meet specific qualifications. After they graduate these preachers either work with existing congregations or help plant new ones. Currently, there are approximately 350 congregations and more than 15,000 Christians in French Africa.

Country of Africa
Country of Africa
Photo of family in front of house.

Married Housing

Families have been reunited through new married student housing. The Addison Apartments now provide on-campus housing for 10 couples, as the staff and board pray and plan for future expansion. This important project was completed ahead of schedule and under budget.

Ladies sewing.

Vocation and Ladies' Programs

Vocational training is allowing graduates to be self supporting. The established job-skill programs of agriculture, livestock and cell phone repair continue to excel, with new classrooms allowing expansion into computer repair and more advanced technology training. This success has allowed F.A.C.E. to prayerfully explore working to certify school teachers, improving mission field communities and opportunities for significant influence in the villages.

Ladies’ futures are being strengthened through vocational training. Female Christians are gaining valuable work skills through sewing and hairdressing courses.

Farmer spraying crops.

Farm and Agriculture

In addition to teaching the Bible and providing vocational training in a number of areas, the BTC also hosts a thriving agricultural program. Students and their wives learn how to grow and harvest various crops, and they also learn the skills involved in fish farming. Additionally, they learn to raise chicken and hogs so they can be self-sustaining citizens.

Photo of family in front of house.
Ladies sewing.
Farmer spraying crops.
Crops shown from drone image.
First-Year Curriculum

First Semester

  1. OLD TESTAMENT SURVEY: A survey of the books of the Bible. Attention will be given to the author, the date, the purpose, the theme or the basic message of each of the 39 books. The customs and cultures of the Bible times. A panoramic view of 39 books of the Old Testament. Outline studies of each book with emphasis on the prophecies related to Christ as the Messiah.
  2. FRENCH (1): Lessons in French grammar, good usage, etc.
  3. HOMILETICS (1): A study of the art and the science of public speaking.
  4. ACT OF THE APOSTLES: A study of the record of the development and growth of the early Church. Attention would be given to the missionary journeys of Paul and the setting of the new churches in the Roman Empire.
  5. BIBLE TEACHING METHODS: How to prepare Bible class lessons and how to communicate Bible lessons to all age groups and apply the lessons to daily life.
  6. GOD’S SCHEME OF REDEMPTION: A detailed study of the plan of God for the redemption of man.
  7. EVANGELISM: The principles of effective evangelism. Methods of presenting the good news of salvation to the lost. House to house, radio, literature, open air preaching, etc.
  8. THE PREACHER AND HIS WORK: Introduction of new preachers to the life and work of the preacher.
  9. GENESIS: A study of the record of creation, the first family, sin’s entry into the world Abraham’s family and the origin of the Hebrew race.

 

Second Semester

  1. CHURCH PLANTING: Methods of surveying, starting a preaching point and the beginning of a new congregation of the Lord’s church where none exists.
  2. HERMENEUTICS (1): The science of valid interpretation of the Bible. The principles, the tools and the basic methods needed for a valid interpretation of the Sacred Scriptures.
  3. FRENCH (2): Lessons in French grammar, good usage, etc.
  4. TRADITIONAL AFRICAN RELIGIONS: A study of animist religion in Africa, the effect of traditional culture and worship on Christianity with emphasis on the helping of animists to become Christians. What the Bible teachers about idol worship.
  5. NEW TESTAMENT SURVEY: A panoramic view of the 27 books of the New Testament, historical settings, Canon, and the value of the New Testament books to our salvation.
  6. ROMANS: A detailed study of Paul’s classic letter to the Roman Christians. The doctrine of justification by faith and correct attitude of the Christian lifestyle.
  7. 1 and 2 CORINTHIANS: The letters of Paul to the church at Corinth with emphasis on the various problems raised in the letters.
  8. EXODUS & LEVITICUS: The exodus from Egypt, the wilderness wanderings, the Law of God given to Moses, the levitical priesthood, etc.
  9. MATTHEW: A detail study of the Gospel according to Matthew.

 

Second-Year Curriculum

First Semester

  1. BIBLE DOCTRINE: A study of the systematic theology of the Bible.
  2. HERMENEUTICS (2): Methods and principles of interpreting Holy Scriptures, rules for interpreting words, sentences, figurative speeches and prophecy.
  3. GALATIANS, 1 & 2 THESSALONIANS: Practical application and study of these epistles of Paul.
  4. NUMBERS & DEUTERONOMY: Continuation of the early Jewish history.
  5. MARK & LUKE: A detailed study of the two Gospels.
  6. HOMILETICS (2): Public speaking and debate, emphasis on the production and delivery of sermons. Practice in classroom and in the pulpit.
  7. HISTORY OF THE JEWS (1) JOSHUA – 2 KINGS: The conquest and settlement into the Promised Land, the Judges, the work of the prophet Samuel, the early kings, etc.
  8. CHURCH MUSIC: A study of the basics of music, the composition of songs in vernacular and the question of instrumental music as worship in the Church.
  9. CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES (1): The reliability of the Bible as the Word of God for man today. Establishing the credibility of both Testaments and providing valid answers to attacks on the Christian Faith.

 

Third-Year Curriculum

First Semester

  1. LOGIC: Basic principles of sound reasoning.
  2. CONGREGATIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Principles of church planting, effective methods of congregational development and the maintenance of congregational strength.
  3. DANIEL & EZEKIEL: the sovereignty of God over all nations, the divine providence in time of faithfulness, deliverance and restoration, prophecies concerning the establishment and exaltation of Jehovah’s Kingdom.
  4. JOB & PSALMS: The books of wisdom and their message.
  5. 1 & 2 TIMOTHY and TITUS: A detailed study of the Pastoral Epistles especially as they relate to the work of a minister.
  6. PRISON EPISTLES: A detail study of Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. The doctrines of predestination, election, justification by faith, etc. will be emphasized.
  7. PROVERBS, ECCLESIASTICS & SONG OF SOLOMON: The central message of the books of poetry and their application to daily living.
  8. CHURCH HISTORY: The history of the Church from Pentecost to today. The Dark Ages, the Reformation Movement, key Reformation personalities and the modern Restoration Movement.
  9. INTRODUCTION TO NEW TESTAMENT GREEK: A basic introduction to study of New Testament Greek grammar.

 

Second Semester

  1. REVELATION: A study of the apocalyptic literature of the New Testament.
  2. THE MAJOR CULTS: A detailed study of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Seventh Day Adventism, Islam, Eastern religions and philosophies.
  3. BIBLICAL COUNSELING: Principles of biblical counseling.
  4. THE MINOR PROPHETS: An outline study of the 12 Minor Prophets, Hosea to Malachi. Application of the message of these prophets, their backgrounds, etc. The social and religious conditions of Israel during the time of the prophets.
  5. CHURCH GROWTH PRINCIPLES: The study and the application of proven church growth principles to enable growth of congregations.
  6. JEWISH HISTORY (2) EZRA – ESTHER: The captivity, Esther and the return from Captivity.
  7. MINISTERIAL ETHICS: A study of good morals and etiquette for preachers.
  8. JEREMIAH & LAMENTATIONS: The message of Jeremiah to a nation lost in sin.
  9. DENOMINATIONAL DOCTRINES: The major beliefs of various denominations including the syncretism of the African Independent Christian religions. This course is to develop a clear concept of the difference between denominational errors and the New Testament truth.