Pathanamthitta:
ACADEMIC REPORT
Dr. K.C. Johnson, Academic Dean
Once again the Lord has graciously allowed us to reach you all with a short academic report showing how the Lord in His supreme love and faithfulness has guided us in running the institute to complete its 25 years of activity. Of course the main factor which leads us to success is the prayers and liberal support of you all. We thank the Lord for all His mercies.
A. BBI at a Glance
An offshoot of the Suviseshalayam (Gospel Hall), the Brethren Bible Institute (BBI) has been developing a community of Bible teachers and missionaries in India. In its 25 years of existence, Brethren Bible Institute Pathanamthitta has been growing in all its aspects: the faculty, the library, the student body and in the academic and spiritual aspects. The number and quality of students who seek admission has also recorded a corresponding improvement.
B. Human Support behind the Academic Team
BBI is being governed and administered by a registered Trust with 11 members under the guidance of Bro. K.A. Philip (President), Bro. K.V. Koshy (Vice President), Bro. M.T. George (Secretary-cum-Treasurer), and Bro. O.T. Cherian (Administrator). The Trust meets three or four times a year and reviews the activities. All the Trust members whole heartedly support the institute as a team and they are really encouraging the faculty members in fulfilling their responsibilities.
C. Academic Administration
The academic faculty of BBI is led by a team under the leadership of Dr. O.M. Samuel (Principal), Bro. K.V. John (Registrar & Vice Principal), and Dr. K.C. Johnson (Academic Dean).
BBI has a Board of Directors for evaluating and enforcing discipline in spiritual, moral and academic realms. BBI also has an Academic Council which meets three times a year and reviews the academic activities.
BBI’s curriculum is organised by departments. The names of the head of the departments are given below:
Head of the Department of Theology: Dr. Silas C. Nair
Head of the Department of Missiology: Bro. Binu Samuel
Head of the Department of Biblical Studies: Bro. Saji A. John
Head of the Department of Information Technology: Bro. Sunny T. Philip
D. Faculty
The Lord has provided us a good team of dedicated teachers, each one a specialist in his field. In addition to this, all of them have an active involvement in spiritual ministries. Many of them have produced standard textbooks and other writings of great value. Their names are given below:
1. Dr. O.M. Samuel, M.Div., Th.D. (Principal)
2. Mr. K.V. John, M.A., B.D. (Vice Principal & Registrar)
3. Dr. K.C. Johnson, M.A., B.D., M.Th., Th.D. (Academic Dean)
4. Mr. Thomas Mathew, B.Th. (Warden)
5. Dr. Silas C. Nair, M.B.S., M.Th., Th.D., Ph.D.
(Head of the Department of Theology)
6. Mr. Binu Samuel, B.Th., B.D., M.Th.
(Head of the Department of Missiology)
7. Mr. Saji A. John, M.A., B.Th., M.Th.
(Head of the Department of Biblical Studies)
8. Mr. Sunny T. Philip, A.M.I.E., M.I.Sc., M.C.A.
(Head of the Department of Information Technology)
9. Mr. Mathew Paul, B.D., M.Th. P.G. Diploma in Linguistics
10. Mr. Jacob Thomas, B.Th., B.D., M.Th.
11. Mr. K. Biju, B.Th., M.A., M.Th.
12. Mr. Varghese K. Kurian, B.Th., B.D.
13. Mr. Dani Ezekiel, M.A., M.Th.
14. Mr. Febin Johnson, B.Th., M.Th.
15. Mr. Roy Mathew, B.Th., M.A.B.S.
16. Mr. Twinkle C. Paul, B.Th., M.Th.
17. Mr. Jomon K. Joseph, B.Th., M.B.S.
18. Mr. Charly Mathew, B.A., B.D.
19. Mr. K.A. Philip, B.A., B.Ed.
20. Mr. K.V. Dinkar, B.Th., M.Th.
21. Mr. K.J. George, B.Th., M.Th.
22. Dr. Daniel Varghese, B.Th., M.Div., M.Th.
VISITING FACULTY
1. Dr. Alexander Kurian, M.A., M.Div., S.T.M., Ph.D.
2. Dr. Oommen Philip, M.A., M.B.A., Ph.D.
3. Dr. Mathew Varghese, M.A., Ph.D. (Linguistics)
4. Dr. Koshy Mathew, M.Sc., Ph.D. (Zoology)
5. Dr. Shaiju Varghese, B.Th., B.D., M.Th., D.Min.
6. Mr. Joy John, B.Th., B.D., M.Th.
7. Mr. P.M. Mathukutty, B.A., B.B.S., M.Th.
8. Mr. Thomson B. Thomas, M.A.
9. Mr. C.C. John, B.D., M.Div., M.A.
10. Mr. John Kurian, B.A.
11. Mr. T.A. Alexander, M.Div.
E. Students
There were 318 students registered for different courses during the past 25 years. Since its inception in 1989, in 16 batches, 204 students have graduated from BBI. Currently, now 43 students are under training, including those from Seemandhra, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Orissa, Rajasthan, Utharakhand, Bihar, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, besides those from Kerala. Sixteen new students have been admitted for studies during this year (2014-15).
The number of students this year is 6 in the post graduate class, 13 in the first year B.Th. class, 13 in the second year B.Th. class and 11 in the third year B.Th. class; so total 43 students. Out of these 31 are from outside Kerala.
Most of the students have a call for full-time ministry. They are being thoroughly trained in sound theology giving emphasis to the inerrancy and infallibility of the scriptures. All the students need the grace of God to continue their studies. Please remember these students in your valuable prayers.
F. Course Offered
I. Residential programmes
a. B.Th.
BBI offers a three year Bachelor of Theology programme in English medium. Candidates who are in full fellowship of a Brethren assembly, with plus two or equivalent qualification and having genuine desire for learning the Word of God especially committed for the Lord’s work are preferred for admission. From the very beginning the institution gives free education for this programme.
b. PG Programmes
BBI offers a two year residential Master in Biblical Studies (M.B.S) programme, a two year residential Master of Divinity (M.Div.) programme and a three year residential Master of Theology (M.Th.) programme. A nominal fee is charged from the students for the P.G. programmes.
2. Distance Education programmes
To help those who are desirous of getting theological education by doing correspondence courses, we offer distance education facilities through which M.B.S, M.Div. and M.Th. can be acquired. This is a blessing for those who are not able to join theological institutions, enabling them to acquire theological education along with their other occupations. This facility is being used by some believers of the diaspora. One hundred and eighty believers are currently learning the word of God through BBI’s distance education courses. Academic Dean is in charge of this programme.
3. Accreditation
BBI has the accreditation of ACTS. We take special care to maintain Brethren distinctives. Above all, we value doctrinal purity and the supreme authority of the word of God. All the courses are offered with high academic standard and the graduates of BBI excel in all the areas of Christian ministry.
G. Practical Training
Special attention is being given in practical training. Every morning and evening there is students’ gathering where they get practical training in preaching, meditating, translating, etc.
Open air meetings are arranged. They go for tract distribution to surrounding areas. Camps also are arranged in selected places according to the availability of funds and other facilities which also helps them in practical training. Students are sent to neighbouring assemblies under supervision.
Gospel tours also are arranged to other states for which financial backings are given by well wishers of this institute. During the current academic year BBI students and teachers had gone to five different states for the Gospel Outreach Ministry. There were 4 different teams and they worked in Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.
H. Library
We have a good library which contains more than Sixteen thousand of quality books. Most of the books are donated by the faculty and other well-wishers. It has to be improved much. We would be thankful if books are donated by the prayer partners. Bro. Sam C. Abraham is working as the Librarian.
A Library building is an immediate need. There is no reading room available for the students because of the addition of more books to the present Library. We have planned to construct a building for the Library on the second floor. The estimated cost of the construction for 2900 square foot (including staircase) is 56 Lakh rupees.
I. Graduates in the Ministry
Since 1989, 204 students have graduated from BBI, and out of them, 177 are directly involved in missions. 55 local congregations have already been established through their efforts. The rest are continuing to be effective spiritual influences in various capacities.
BBI graduates are toiling for the Lord in different parts of India especially Meghalaya, Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Odisha, Karnataka, Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh & Kerala and also in few foreign countries. BBI graduates are having their own significant contribution in the ministry. They have a leading role in evangelistic activities and giving leadership to almost all Brethren theological institutions in India.
J. Short-Term Bible School for Women
BBI started a short-term Bible School for the sisters of our Assemblies from April 1 to May 31, 2013. Second batch of sisters completed their studies on May 2, 2014. Gospel Hall buildings were utilized for conducting this short-term Bible school. Twenty sisters regularly attended the course and completed it successfully. God willing, BBI will continue such course during this summer vacation.
K. Evangelists’ Refresher Course
BBI has a vision to offer a refresher course in Malayalam language to the commended evangelists who are working for the Lord in Kerala with a desire of bringing a revival in the assemblies and in the evangelistic activities. It was held at Pathanamthitta Gospel Hall from March 3, 2014. Classes for the second batch started from May 5, 2014. Each batch will be of 3 weeks duration.
Faculty members of this refresher course is given below:
Dr. O.M. Samuel
Bro. K.V. John
Dr. K C Johnson
Dr. Silas C. Nair
Dr. Oommen Philip
Bro. Mathew Paul
Bro. Abraham Chembola
Bro. K.V. Isaac
Bro. Wilson K. Thomas
Bro. Jacob Thomas
Bro. Sajeev Varghese
Bro. P.G. James
Bro. K.K. Santhosh Kumar
Bro. Biju K. Alady
Bro. K.I. Shajimon
Dr. Daniel Varghese
Bro. Shajahan V. Hassan
Bro. Arun K. Paul
Bro. Reji K. Thomas
Bro. Timmy Adams
Bro. Binu Samuel
Bro. Saji A. John
Bro. Sunny T. Philip
Bro. K.A. Philip
Bro. Thankachan Mathew
The coming of the Lord is imminent. At the same time, doors to the gospel are closing. Thus it is essential that we all do our best before it is too late. Your involvement in BBI can play a significant role in reaching the perishing millions of our motherland with the message of life while it is still possible.
[Adelphoi News]