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Thelma Wells, M.B.S., Founder and
President of
A Woman of God
Ministries. |
Mark Graweher, D.B.S., Founder and President
of
Precious Clay Ministries. |
Tony Balsamo, D.P.Th., Founding Pastor of
Integrity Christian Fellowship. |
Bishop Alfred D. Knight, Jr., D.B.S., Senior
Pastor,
Power of the Word Church of God in Christ. |
Jim McBride, D.B.S., Executive Pastor,
Sherwood
Baptist Church; Executive Director of
Fireproof, Facing the Giants, and Flywheel. |
Tamberlyn Thompson, B.Min.,
Biblical
Counselor Trainer. |
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RECENT GRADUATE
SHARES HIS TESTIMONY
Dan DePretis, M.A.C.S.
My call to formal Bible education
began 25 years ago. With excitement over a new found Biblical truth
in 1986, I briefly considered a seminary education in order to learn
more about God and His Word. Circumstances and council, capped with
my own final decision, led me on another path. I chose a path of
secular employment and pursuit of the “American Dream”. I don’t
believe that heading in this direction is necessarily wrong.
However, for me it did become a significant burden and a
distraction. The demands of certain career goals resulted in undue
stress and my focus on various advancements narrowed my views of
life. Ten years later, in 1996, this call to formal Bible education
came upon my mind again. Once more, my evaluation and final
decision kept me moving in the same direction of balancing a full
time secular career with intermittent ministry involvement with
informal, inconsistent Bible study. Finally, in 2007 and 2008, a
similar call toward formal Bible education again came to the
forefront of my mind for consideration. This time I responded with
a more intense search for options of study. My search for a
suitable program of study at an acceptable educational institution
led me to Master’s International School of Divinity.
The research process to locate the
right course of study at the best school continuously brought me
back to Master’s. In April 2008 I enrolled in the MACS program.
After enrollment, my decision was confirmed with challenging
assignments that fostered personal growth unlike any other phase of
growth I had previously experienced. It was also encouraging for me
to observe the further development of Master’s as an educational
institution with the addition of programs of study and helpful
academic partnerships. Prior to enrolling in the Master’s
International School of Divinity, I received a Bachelor’s degree
from a small, but highly reputable college and a Master’s degree
from a small and highly reputable Christian University. In my
opinion, the overall credibility of Master’s International School of
Divinity is an asset to the school, a point of confidence for
students and alumni, and a blessing to God.
After completing the degree
requirements, I started to reflect upon the educational process and
usefulness in my life. Here is one way I measured the value of the
education I received at Master’s compared to the degrees I received
at two other schools of higher learning. This method of value
measurement compares the number of hours of concentrated study time
for a degree versus dollars spent for that degree.
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Using my best estimates for the total number of
hours I spent studying during my non-biblical Bachelor’s degree
and the cost of the entire degree program, I calculated that I
studied for about 5 minutes for every dollar spent on the degree.
-
Similarly, for my non-biblical Master’s degree, I
studied for about 8 minutes for every dollar spent on the
degree. This represents a 60% increase in the amount of study
time per dollar, compared to my Bachelor’s degree.
-
Applying the same calculation to my degree at
Master’s International School of Divinity, I spent about 36
minutes studying for each dollar spent on the degree. This marks
a 700% increase in value over my Bachelor’s degree and 450%
increase over my first Master’s degree. To me, this represents
real value for my money spent on education.
Looking at quality of education as
opposed to value, I applied similar calculations to compare the
amount of time I studied per credit hour of education. In my case,
I estimate 20% more study time and effort per credit for my Biblical
Master’s degree compared to my non-biblical Master’s degree and a
50% increase versus my Bachelor’s degree. Using this determination
helps me to confirm my initial impressions about the quality of
education through the program at Master’s International School of
Divinity.
Another way to measure value and
quality of education, in general, is through determination of
earning potential. To follow this logic, one would ask a question
similar to this: “After I finish this degree, what will my earning
potential be, or what increase in earnings can I expect versus my
current salary?” Of course this is where the common and limited
financial measures of our world differ from the full measure of
value, quality, and usefulness applied by God. I have frequently
submitted to the influence of shallow and incomplete value
parameters, failing to integrate God’s fullness in life through
Christ. For the Biblical education I received through Master’s, I
will need to trust God’s measuring stick and His assessment. It may
be best if I not even consider such matters in the future, but I
would like others to have the benefit of my opinion for supporting
their decision to say “yes” to discipleship by using a program of
study offered through Master’s.
Now that I am on the other side of
this educational degree, I consider myself to be at the beginning of
a new part of my life’s journey. I believe God merges together
intense learning experiences with a few other elements, such as
willingness, to produce the useful concept of “service”.
Thank you for your meaningful
investment into my life and ministry. May the school and I be
faithful to apply the highest value, unprecedented quality, and
perfect usefulness according to God’s standards as we continue on
our journeys of service for The Master.
For the Gospel,
Dan DePretis |
As a
pastor I cannot tell you how much I appreciate and value the education I
received at Master’s. I started my studies at Master’s when the
school first formed in the late 90’s. I was a pastor on an Island
located in the Southeast panhandle of Alaska. Living on an Island put me
in a very precarious situation; I desired to further my education but was
in no position to be able to travel to attend a school. In 1999 I
began a search on the internet for a distance education that would give me
a solid biblical training but would not require me to leave my home.
Through the providence of God I was led to Master’s. I was impressed
with the class offerings, the helpfulness of the staff and the format of
the classes. Master’s worked with me to help me find the right
program and to structure the right classes so that I could further my
training. As a result I was able to convert my Biblical Studies
Diploma I received at another Bible school to a Bachelor of Practical
Ministry degree and then to go on and earn my Master of Practical Theology
degree and continued on for my Doctor of Biblical Studies degree. I
cannot recommend this school highly enough and would encourage anyone who
is considering this school to enter into the process – you will not be
disappointed.
Dr.
Stephen Leston,
Pastor Teacher,
Kishwaukee
Bible Church DeKalb, Illinois
 There are many
distance education choices available. Some are adequate, others are simply
chatter and blather resulting in a degree that won't withstand academic
and real-life scrutiny. Master's International School of Divinity is world
class professors, caring staff and state of the art information delivery
systems. I have had the benefit of a world class secular education as well
as other distance education opportunities and Master's leads the field.
Dynamic
professors such as Dr. Frazier, Dr. Frey, and Dr. Moen, and many others,
have enhanced my learning experiences to levels unequaled in the secular
world. The most important aspect of my experience at Master's is in the
drawing of my heart ever nearer to God, serving Yeshua in real ways,
knowing the Bible and our God in a soul-deep way which comes only from a
committed staff and faculty, tear-stained pages of my Bible, carefully
selected textbooks, and coursework designed to stir a hunger and thirst
after righteousness. If you seek a Bible-based, meaningful world class
education delivered in a state-of-the-art process, world-class professors
and challenging assignments, Master's International School of Divinity is
for you!
Rev. Shawn
Michael Greener
President and Founder of
Worship and Serve Ministries. LLC
www.greenersgrainofsalt.wordpress.com
I entered the Navy in 1973,
and served faithfully as an enlisted member for 10 years before receiving
a commission as an officer and serving an additional 22 years. I was
called into the ministry at an early age, and most of my career has been
spent serving in the military and part time as a Co-Pastor and Associate
Minister, and head of Outreach Ministry at various churches throughout the
country.
Having a strong desire to continue my studies in ministry, I started the
Doctorate Program in Practical Ministry at MISD. What has impressed
me the most is Master's true allegiance to teach from a biblical
perspective, the true Word of God. Each time I attended a Seminar, I felt
the compassion, presence and power of the Almighty God guiding each
teacher. The passion for the Word of God and the teachers concern for each
of the students welfare added more consummation this was the school for me
and my continued studies.
Course work was not easy, you must put the time and effort into your
studies, but in the end you will know it was well worth the effort.
CDR Howard L. Brown, USN Retired
"It was
the power of the Holy Spirit that inspired me to go to MISD. I
usually visit BibleStudyTools.net and the schools banner was always
flashing, I ask God if I should attend and twice God said...Go for it!
The classes were very insightful and I was tremendously blessed with
greater insight on the Word of God. It's blessed me with the
opportunity of working here at TBN and it's been fun. There is much
more God has for my life out side of TBN and I'm grateful for my Daily
Quiet Time with the LORD. Reading the Bible once a year has impacted
my life in such a way that the overflow of Christ flows so freely out of
me. School might be done, but studying Word is forever.
I'm so grateful for Master's, because God said to GO. That's all I
need is the power of Holy Spirit. Doesn't take much to get this
former Muslim going ...Hallelujah! Much Blessings!"
Thayer
Diab, Low Power TV Engineering Coordinator, Trinity Broadcasting Network,
Inc.
"The cry for
anointed, expository preaching in God’s churches rings louder than ever.
No one responds to that cry greater than the late Dr. Stephen Olford.
Master’s gave me that opportunity to have studied under Dr. Olford and
receive academic credit for such work. Preparation and presentation of
Biblical messages are now reinforced by the fine instruction through the
Olford Center and Master’s International School of Divinity. I am truly
grateful for my work with Master’s Graduate School of Divinity."
Dr. Ray Burks , Senior Pastor Lakeview Baptist Church, Selmer, Tennessee
"I really enjoyed
my doctorate from MISD . . . I feel it was practical and attainable.
The courses were biblically based and not so overwhelming that you
couldn't spend adequate time on them. With a little diligence and
perseverance, you can easily finish the degree.
I was constantly using the course material in my messages and counseling.
For
 years I looked for an external degree program that was designed for
those in ministry that wasn't a diploma mill or mutually exclusive.
Master's met that agenda and blessed my heart.
Thank you for a job well done . . . May your tribe increase!"
Dr. Duffy Johnson, Windham Community Chapel, Dummerston, Vermont
"I attended
Master's International School of Divinity to obtain my Bachelors and
Master's degrees. Since graduating, I have become a Chaplain with
Conservative Baptists of America and run a website for women who suffer
from mental health issues and are trying to maintain a walk with Christ.
Additionally I am currently the Executive Director of a Pregnancy & Sexual
Health Resource Center.
Masters has enabled me to stay at home while my children were growing and
also maintain current in a work environment
while I was going to school. I would recommend the school to anyone who is
serious about full time ministry. The education I got there was superior
to any other school I attended before due to the fact that knowledge
retention and practical
applicability are built into the course work."
Ch.
Cheryl A. Durham, D.B.S.
"The
courses, textbooks, tapes and seminars at Master’s International School of
Divinity have been instrumental in helping me to obey the Apostle Paul’s
charge to 'Study to show thyself approved unto God.' The school is on the
cutting edge of ministerial training and it has, and will continue, to
equip me for service in the Master’s Kingdom.
Dr. Dan Whitelaw, Associate Professor of Theology at Milwaukee Theological
Institute; Greater Milwaukee area representative for the Amachi
Program; a program designed to recruit and train mentors for children of
incarcerated parents; Presently serving as full-time Youth Pastor at the
New Testament Church in Milwaukee; Co-Chaplain for the Milwaukee Bucks
Basketball Team of the NBA.
"God called me into ministry about 1996. Even called, I was poorly
equipped for the vineyards in which I found
myself...specifically, a maximum security prison! By the bountiful
grace of God, I was able to reach some desperate souls with God’s Holy
Word.
In 1997, I became a circuit
rider, serving two small churches in northern Texas. With all of the
difficulties found in any church, I began to deal with the same problems
any other pastor would be exposed to.
I recognized that in some
areas, my practical experience was inadequate. One day, while “surfing the
net," God brought me to the Master’s website and the answer to my prayers.
Here was a school offering exactly what I needed, even though I didn’t
know it, and a financial plan that could be made to fit my budget. On top
of that, they offered world-class instructors that some conventional
schools could only dream of. Excellence in training men and women to do
God’s work is paramount to the school’s goal.
Since being allowed to
complete several classes at Master’s, I have been especially blessed by
the affiliation with faculty and other students. My church administration
has improved and both medical personnel and ministry friends now invite
individuals to visit with me as they begin to face their life problems.
Master’s has made an
immeasurable and positive difference in my family and church life. The
influence Master’s learning provided to me has had far reaching effects in
my community. Individuals known only to God and I have been brought into
salvation as a direct result of my experience with Master’s.
Professional staff, top
quality affordable learning, I encourage everyone to come join the
professionals working for the Lord’s vineyard. I really believe the last
barrier to Christian education has been removed."
Dr. Bob Wilson, Pastor,
First United Methodist Church, Alvord, TX; Chaplain, Wise Regional
Hospital, Decatur, TX; Mayor, City of Alvord, TX; Former Chaplain, Alred
Maximum Security Prison, Wichita Falls, TX.
"First let me take
this opportunity to thank you and the staff of Master’s International
School of Divinity for the excellent curriculum and service you provide.
You have made it possible for people like myself to pursue an education
that would otherwise be impossible to achieve through conventional
educational methods of attending a seminary full time. For many of us,
this simply is not an option – we have jobs and families to support first.
I completed my degree, a
Bachelor of Practical Ministry in Chaplaincy, completely off-campus. I was
able to transfer my previously completed college credits from our local
community college and therefore all of the classes in my Bachelor’s
curriculum were core ministry classes.
I found the classes to be very
straight forward and based on a simple “learn at your own pace”
methodology. The combination of audio lectures and text book follow
standard college format of lecture and text book and advisors were always
available should I need clarification of any point.
I was actually quite surprised
at how quickly I was able to complete the courses and receive my degree.
Like any educational institution or opportunity, you only get out of it
what you put into it. Your program made it possible for me to achieve my
goal.
A degree isn’t going to make
anyone a better Christian. It isn’t going to make anyone suddenly wise.
What it does is provide a sound foundation in Christian theology, history,
or practical applications that can’t be taught in a church environment. It
gives you the confidence needed to progress to the next level of your
Christian walk in service to others.
I have been the Associate
Pastor at our church for over a year now and it has been the best
experience of my life. My degree didn’t make this happen, but it provided
me with a solid foundation to build on, taught me the skills to minister
to others in diverse circumstances, and gave me the confidence necessary
to accept the challenge. Being a Pastor isn’t easy – but it is worth every
step of the journey.
I would just like to say thank
you Master’s for understanding the needs of those like me. God bless you
and yours."
Dennis
Miley, Associate Pastor, Hollywood Church of the Brethren, Fredericksburg,
Virginia.
"I made myself a promise when I entered the ministry in 1981, that first
of all I would finish the Masters degree that I had started and secondly,
that I would not coast in the last half of my ministry, but that I would
finish strong. Master's International School of Divinity helped me keep
both promises. What I hadn't anticipated was how blessed I would be by my
involvement with Master's. The classes became an avenue for personal
spiritual renewal. I found myself signing up for the
 next
seminar with great anticipation of what God would speak into my life next.
I was never disappointed! The icing on the
cake was the retooling with significant ministry tools for the last half.
I can't thank you enough for the affordable opportunity that you provided
to me. You were a God-send!"
Rev. Dr.
Robert T. Sievers, First Baptist Church, Ontario, Oregon
"My degree from MISD
helped me to obtain the opportunities for doing both Visitation and
Discipleship Ministries through my local church. I have had many exciting
experiences because of this, and have even had the privilege of leading
others to the Lord as a result. I lead small groups and will be teaching a
Growing in Christ discipleship course for new believers. My Pastor gives
me referrals of people to visit. They can be at a hospital, nursing home,
or at home visits. I recently expanded to doing visitations at jails also.
I do follow-up phone calls for those who have recently committed their
lives to Christ during the services. I believe that my training at MISD
equipped me to do the ministries that I am currently doing. I earned a
B.S. in Practical Ministry (Chaplaincy Program). And I am now enrolled
again at MISD in the Master of Ministry Biblical Counseling program. I
have had a great experience with Masters . I would highly recommend it!"
Brenda L.
Almquist
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