SIBI Satellite Schools/Church Classrooms

The North Mississippi Bible Institute (NMBI) is approaching one year of operation. Our first class had approximately twenty students, and though a few dropped out because of work and personal conflicts, we have about fifteen who are faithfully studying God’s word. That includes one credit student who is furthering his ability to preach and teach in a congregational setting.

From the start we wanted NMBI to be open to the public, and we wanted to reach beyond our immediate community. We have had students from six different churches and four different towns. We have been particularly pleased that our students are about half from the white community and half from the black community. The city of Grenada is striving to make improvements in racial harmony, and we see our school as a positive example demonstrating how that can happen with Christians exemplifying peaceful relations and unity.

We hoped that we would attract students from outside of the churches of Christ, and we have done that successfully. We currently have three students who are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. They are eager students, open to God’s word, and thoroughly enjoy learning passages they have never studied before.

Of course our own members who attend are excited about studying on a different level than just a Sunday or Wednesday Bible class. We just completed a study of The Sacrificial System. One of the ladies in our class attended another Bible study where someone read a passage having to do with one of the Old Testament sacrifices. Our student was able to share with the others what the sacrifice was about and why it was offered, and she provided some insight they would have missed had she not been in our school.

We believe a Sunset Satellite School is a long-term project. It is an investment in people. Whether those people are Sunday school teachers, preachers, elders, or just want to experience personal growth, such a school will educate, inform, and equip those people to serve in ways they could not do otherwise. Three of our students are preachers that are already sharing with their congregations some of the things they have learned in NMBI classes. Several students teach Bible classes. They are all learning on a deeper level, and I am confident that will translate into better taught Sunday school classes. A few just want to learn for personal gain. What they learn will produce a stronger faith.

My personal view is that teaching in a Sunset Satellite School enables me to achieve greater things in my own ministry. I am equipping others in ways I could not do otherwise. It provides me a way to use my own knowledge and experience in conjunction with the recorded lessons from Sunset to create a useful educational experience for our students. We believe NMBI is providing a way for us to reach into our community, strengthen our brethren (even those who are not a part of Southside), and build a solid reputation in our community as a Bible believing, Bible teaching church. God’s word is being proclaimed, and it will be successful. I am convinced we will see the greatest benefits in years to come and in generations to follow, because we did something now.

– Bill Denton