Photo by Claudine Housen
Rev. Joseph Isbell and wife, Rev. Susan Isbell explain one of the teaching tools in their ministry.
As Christians become effectively discipled they often yearn for a programme of formal theological instruction akin to that of a Bible school or seminary.
Few churches offer such a programme and since very little of it is produced locally, pastors are virtually constrained to use material prepared from overseas - mostly North America.
Joseph and Susan Isbell, a husband-and-wife team are American missionaries seeking to help equip Jamaican churches by offering material from the International School of Ministry (ISOM) - an internationally renowned video-based Bible school.
The Isbells, both of whom are ordained ministers of the gospel, belong to the para-church organisation, Send the Light Ministries (Jamaica) which has the franchise to promote the curricula of this Christian programme of instruction throughout the Caribbean.
Since 2002, the Isbells have been offering the ISOM courses locally. The missionary couple reside in Montego Bay, St. James and worship at Teamwork Christian Centre, Torado Heights which is led by Pastor Menzie Oban.
non-denominational institution
The ISOM is a non-denominational institution which features courses designed mainly by pastors of the Pentecostal/Charismatic convictions many of whom are popular Christian broadcasters. Some of the persons who have designed courses include: Joyce Meyers, Jack Hayford, Reinhard Bonnke, A.R. Bernard and T.L. Osbourne.
The ISOM functions as a five trimester programme. Each trimester will take about 12 weeks to be completed. The five trimester approach will usually mean that all course material would be covered in 18 months.
Each course comes with notes that complement the video and lectures. The notes contain an overview of the video content and ideas for group discussion, homework assignments and exams.
At the completion of three trimesters, a student will receive an ISOM certificate. At the end of five trimesters, students will receive an ISOM diploma. Students who want to go event further can use the ISOM programme to obtain an Associate in Biblical Studies degree from Vision International University - which holds membership in the Association of Christian Schools International as well as the Apostolic Council for Educational Accountability.
To participate in the ISOM programme Send the Light Ministries requires six things of a church.
1) That the pastor or a very mature and responsible member of the congregation be in charge of the programme.
2) A suitable meeting place be identified.
3) The church possess a large television or screen which allows everyone in the class to view the video lesson.
4) The church ensures that each student fills out an application and pays the required fees. A class is comprised of a minimum of 10 persons.
5) The class meets weekly at a set time and on a set day.
6) The church signs an agreement with Send the Light Ministries that the class will be run within the guidelines given and all discs and video-players will be returned at the completion of the ISOM programme.
Provisions
For its part, Send the Light Ministries will provide participating churches with a video player, all the video discs needed for each trimester, handouts, test and answer keys for grading, and a facilitator's guide book.
The cost for enrolment per trimester in the ISOM is US$7 for rural students and US$10 for urban students. Workbooks are also made available to students at a cost of $450 per trimester.
Rev. Joseph and Rev. Susan Isbell are graduates of Rhema Bible Training Centre in Oklahoma. They told The Gleaner that the ISOM material is being used by a few churches in St. James. The Isbells said that altogether there are about 30-odd persons doing the ISOM courses locally. The Isbells are hoping to create many centres for instruction in the ISOM curricula within the next five years. They tell stories of pastors who, having been exposed to aspects of the ISOM programme confess that they learnt stuff that they believe they ought to have learnt earlier in their ministries.
According to Rev. Joseph Isbell, "People will reproduce what they know. And so if they haven't been exposed to more revelation, they will only reproduce what they have seen. If they haven't been exposed to teaching, then all they do is preach. A lot of times they preach salvation to the saints. In teaching you are giving people a foundation that they can grow on and apply the Word in everyday life."
He measures the success of the programme in a church when he visits that congregation some time later and senses spiritual growth, hears testimonies of how the material has been of benefit. Success, he said, is also measured by persons preaching and teaching in church with greater clarity and competence.
Editor's Note: The Isbells may be reached at 953-8596 or 356-5580.
Send feedback to mark.dawes@gleanerjm.com.
Some of the courses offered by the International School of Ministry (ISOM)
Foundations of the
Faith
Supernatural Living
New Testament Survey
Praise and Worship
Power of Prayer
Ministry of Helps
Old Testament Survey
Essence of the Gospel
Jesus, Our Healer Today
Living by Faith
Cell Groups
Power Evangelism
Leader's Integrity
Leadership Vision
Church Planting in
Teams
Being Led by the Spirit
Promise Keeper
Wilderness Mentalities
Developing Leaders
Being a Cell Group
Leader
Reconciliation
Personal Evangelism
Spiritual Warfare
Missions and
the Harvest
Christ Connection
Living to Give
Biblical Eldership
Reaching a New
Generation
Managing for Tomorrow
Ministering to Youth
