Intercessor Team Update – October

Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. —Psalm 46:10 (ESV)

Dear Praying Friends of Free Lutheran Bible College and Seminary:

We just returned from a few days of board meetings and time together at the AFLC Pastors’ Conference at the ARC. We had a great time there, enjoying each other’s company, learning, and even discussing some matters where we may not all agree. We did so amicably and respectfully. Some of the discussion was long overdue, and just talking seemed to take weight off many shoulders. I’m proud of our group and thankful for the leaders God has given us.

I’m also proud of what God is working through us on this campus. I’m proud of our seminary students and recent graduates. I see a whole generation of young (and some not-so-young) men who are willing to invest in the lives of souls and congregations. I am encouraged.

The other development that encourages me is the direction of student life and discipleship on our campus. I just met with three young men today. All of our students have such “discipleship groups,” as we call them, seeking to model a lifelong prayer of “God, give me two souls to disciple for two years.” This is year two for us now, so we are seeing the fruit of last year’s investment.

Finally, I asked Pastor Osier, the Dean of the Bible College, to give a bit of a program tour. A version of this will be in the Lutheran Ambassador soon, but I wanted to make sure you read it. Our students at FLBC get GREAT exposure to God’s Word. Enjoy!

In Christ’s Love,
Pastor Wade Mobley
President, Free Lutheran Bible College and Seminary

“The Word of God does the work.” I consistently and intentionally repeat this phrase in all my classes. Biblical theology, passed down through the ages and revitalized during the Reformation, teaches that it is the Word of God alone (Sola Scriptura) that generates faith in the hearts of sinners and guides them as they live out their Christian journey. This is what Paul says in 2 Timothy 3:16-17: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” The Word is living and active, always accomplishing what God intends (Heb. 4:12; Isa. 55:11). When the Word is preached and taught, God works in profound ways.

This foundational conviction has shaped and continues to shape the Free Lutheran Bible College program throughout its history. This is what makes our program unique, even within the broader realm of biblical higher education. This isn’t just part of what we do, it is all that we do. We exist to establish students in the Word so that it can transform their lives. We witness their growth in faith as they prepare for service in their families and congregations.

To this end, the largest segment of our program’s required curriculum (41.2%) focuses on the exegetical study of the Word. Our qualified professors, trained in our Seminary, guide students through the Scriptures verse by verse. From the Pentateuch to Revelation, students embark on a comprehensive exploration of the Word’s truth. They are nourished by it as they read, meditate upon, and memorize it. Professors draw from the depths of its truth, helping students make meaningful connections.

In addition to exegetical study, another significant component of our program (29.4%) is theological studies. These doctrine classes take the truths of the Word and organize them into topical categories. In these classes, our professors delve into fundamental doctrines concerning God, humanity, the Word, justification, sanctification, the Church, the means of grace, the end times, and more. Our theological classes complement our exegetical classes, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the trustworthy and authoritative Word.

The final category of our required offerings is labeled “General Education,” which also comprises 29.4% of our program. This terminology may be misleading without clarification. By using the term “general,” we do not imply that it differs from biblical education. Rather, it describes a category of classes designed to serve the teaching of the Word in two key ways:

1. Some of these classes are offered to help students fully engage and communicate the Word they are learning. They help students learn to think (e.g. Logic), write (e.g. English Composition), and speak (e.g. Public Speaking). All of these are taught with biblical focus and application.

2. The remaining general education classes help contextualize the Word, illustrating its relevance both historically and in contemporary culture. Courses in history help students understand the biblical framework (e.g., History and Geography of the Bible) and the history of the Church (e.g., Church History). Others demonstrate how the Word applies to modern culture (e.g., Introduction to Christian Thought and Apologetics).

While this overview addresses the required components of our program, we also encourage students to explore areas of ministry that interest them. Open electives allow students to apply biblical knowledge to practical ministry contexts. We offer robust courses in music ministry, youth ministry, and missions, as well as classes in expository preaching, biblical education, counseling, as well as other practical ministry applications. Furthermore, we provide students with both the incentive and opportunity to practice ministry within their congregations.

Perhaps the most distinctive feature of our program is its nearly exclusive residential setting. Our students live together, learning and embodying our core values of integrity, stewardship, whole-life discipleship, and life together. This environment serves as the essential training ground for a Christian faith that is practiced in community. In a world where education is often isolated from community, we offer a biblically grounded alternative. As Scripture teaches, “the Lord sets the solitary in families” (Ps. 68:6), and “as iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” (Pr. 27:17).

The teaching and application of the Word of God in this residential setting form the foundation of what the Free Lutheran Bible College has always been and must continue to be to remain faithful to its mission. May God keep us faithful in this endeavor. – Pr. Adam Osier, FLBC Dean

Thank God for…

  • A good start to the academic year
  • Students who are investing two or more years being established in God’s Word
  • A great faculty
  • Committed staff
  • His faithful provision
  • Several potential internship locations for our seminary students

Please pray for…

  • Soft hearts for students, being quick to repent and believe the gospel
  • A great 60th Anniversary Gala on November 14
  • Healthy, consistent discipleship groups on campus
  • Fruitful ministry to souls off campus
  • A successful annual campaign, our first ever (see the Lutheran Ambassador next month)
  • Bible college and seminary students for next year

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Intercessor Team Update