SIBI Satellite Schools/Church Classrooms

by Jen, age 35 – now a part of the Erie Church of Christ in Erie, Pennsylvania

I had never heard of the churches of Christ. I was not a Christian when I came to Erie Bible Institute (EBI), but I was seeking God. I prayed for direction, not knowing where to go, and went to the Yellow Pages, (I had to start somewhere!) and found a lot of division and confusion. Have you ever read the headings there? I didn’t understand most of the classifications…Apostolic (?)…Baptist–the "just Baptist groups" , Independent, Southern (in Erie, PA?)…Evangelical (and no one else is?)…Full Gospel…Gospel (apparently the just "Gospel" group were missing something)…etc. I believe under "Non-denominational" I found an ad for Erie Bible Institute and the church of Christ.

I didn’t trust the doctrine of men, but I did want to study the Word of God. The first week I attended a worship service at the church of Christ, "just happened" to be the first week of the EBI semester. It was through study at EBI, and the love of the people I met there and the support of the church (not to mention the work of the Holy Spirit who made it possible) that I became a baptized believer and disciple of Jesus Christ. So, yeah, I guess you could say I think it’s beneficial.

What I love about EBI:
• Undemanding learning – Although we attend class in a building belonging to a church, as a non-believer I wasn’t worried that I’d be asked to place membership or take on a responsibility or role I didn’t want or for which I wasn’t ready. I was there solely to study the Word of God. The classroom is a known and comfortable environment for many people in the world—unlike participating in worship services with an unfamiliar religious group.
• Focused studying on the Word of God – We have an agenda and we stick with it. Read the rest of this entry »

Begun In 1995 the Satellite School Program started with courses produced in our studio with VHS tapes of the instructors of Sunset School of Preaching. As technology progressed, the tapes were replaced by CDs and DVDs. More than 155 churches have successful Satellite Schools, training hundreds of people to be more effective disciples and soul-winners.

Those of you with Satellite Schools, are partnered� with something much bigger than you dreamed of world-wide! Subsequent posts will try to describe each of your partners with God stay tuned!

If you don’t have access to a Satellite School near you, consult with your elders about this effective way to feed their flock.� We will help you.�If desired we will come and speak with your elders or address your congregations.�Just ask us! We will come.

In Him, Jerry D. Pruitt