STUDENT & GRADUATE TESTIMONIALS

I am a 1979 Order of the Coif graduate of the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William and Mary. Although I am no longer in the practice of law, (I serve as the CEO of a Native America 8(a) company specializing in logistics, marine construction and tactical gear), I remember the challenge of the first semester to survive in law school. I have found the classes at Masters to be challenging in a different way. They have made a lasting impact on my ministry. In addition to my secular employment, I serve as president of Mountain Moving Ministries International, a 501(c)(3) corporation with outreaches in several countries.

My wife began to take classes at Masters majoring in Biblical Counseling and completed her program for a Masters in Ministry in a couple of years.  She then decided to pursue her doctorate with them. Masters was offering a spousal scholarship so I decided to apply. Candidly, after the experience of William and Mary I was expecting this experience to be somewhat undemanding. I have been very pleasantly surprised. I have learned so much and the friendships formed have been priceless. The ability to work at my own pace made time constraints a non issue.

Barry Jenkins, B.A, J.D.
Virginia Beach, VA

Prior to my enrollment at MISD, I had completed seven degrees including three theological degrees (M.Div., Phillips Theological Seminary; M.A.B.T.S., Luther Rice Seminary; D.Min., American Bible College and Seminary).

I can honestly write that I have learned as much, if not more, in my MISD courses as I have in my previous theological studies. More importantly, I have learned more that is of *practical* value in my work (as a full-time hospice chaplain and part-time pastor), at MISD than at any of the other institutions which I have attended.

I firmly believe that MISD is a great gift of God to the church for the preparation of future clergy and lay leadership. I hope that my nine-year-old son will pursue studies at MISD someday. Thanks for all you have done to make it possible for people like myself to expand their minds, deepen their faith, and develop new skills through the courses of study offered by MISD.

All of the staff and students are in my prayers daily,
Thomas D. Swartz

I can’t say enough about my experience with Master’s. I truly appreciate the opportunity that MISD allows full-time ministers to further their education. The vision for ministry to ministers is a blessing sent from God. My seminary studies have been a source of enlightenment and delightful discovery.

I found the courses to be straight-forward and practical. There is no unnecessary work, nor is there any burdensome work. Every assignment is concise enough to fit into the schedule of a busy pastor. It is all relevant training that five-fold ministers can learn, apply, and begin to re-teach to their churches.

The format of internet-based education is well ahead of other outdated forums of learning. Taking advantage of modern technology for the training of ministers is ingenious, and I believe it will be that very aspect that sets MISD apart from other seminaries. The cost of tuition is also very reasonable. No other institute offers such quality education for such a reasonable price.

My only suggestion would be that MISD continue to strive for excellence in the education of ministers. I would recommend that they stay on the cutting edge of technology and continually update their internet resources.   Large portions of the information contained in this degree program have ended up, or will end up, in my pastoral teaching to my congregation. The benefits to me personally will, without a doubt, bless those who sit under my ministry. My ability to effectively equip the saints for the work of the ministry as prescribed by Ephesians 4:12, has been enhanced. The result is a more effectively prepared church, ready and willing to reach people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I will continue to pursue wisdom through the anointed courses at MISD.

My overall experience in the Master of Ministry program is one that I will never forget. I look forward to continuing my education in the doctoral program with MISD.

Kyle Hoover

 "Truly we serve an awesome God. While attending an Master's seminar, I received a call informing me that my youngest son (17) had taken an overdose of drugs and was found lying unconscious on the deck of his house. He was rigid and motionless with the paramedics efforts producing no response.

Thank God for Dr. Bill Hines (our instructor), who prayed with me and helped me organize my shattered thoughts. I also praise God that Dr. Matthew Crandall had not left to go home yet and drove me to the airport. Before he would let me out of the car, he prayed with me, gave me his phone numbers in case I needed anything and gave me a box of tissues (since tears were flowing freely). I truly appreciate the Master's staff and particularly these two Godly men of action. I love them dearly.

Six hours later, my oldest son picked me up at the airport. As I flew to Atlanta, I began to get a glimpse of the pain and emptiness God must have felt when He allowed His son to die for me, enduring wrath, anger, disappointment and sin meant for me. Thank God for His grace and mercy! Along the way, I asked my son where we were going, expecting the answer to be a local mortuary. He stated, “The Hospital!” Our prayers had been answered and Robert spared. He was in ICU in critical condition and still very rigid when I walked into the room. The doctor told me that the next 48 hours were critical to his recovery and to expect some brain damage. How much he could not say. My oldest son and I laid hands on him and prayed. I still can’t tell you what I did exactly or what I prayed since I was on spiritual auto-pilot.

Three days later (appropriately enough?), Robert was pronounced alive and well with NO brain damage. Our God is a miracle working God! As a matter of fact, Robert is one of the top students in his senior class. He is still seeing a Biblical Counselor in Atlanta and doing very well. Glory and Praises to our incredible God!"

Barry Barnes, Senior VP of Sales
Highland Capital Brokerage
Lay Biblical Counselor

"My wife and I have really enjoyed being part of the Alumni of Master's. We are full-time Pastors / Church Planters, and we do not really have much time for a "traditional" classroom environment. We have found that Master's International School of Divinity offers a wide variety of programs suitable to any ministry. We took advantage of the program that allows your spouse to study with you. The tuition plan was very reasonable, and we were unexpectedly blessed with the finances to cover it, shortly after our decision to enroll.  The material is well organized, and this self-paced program is exactly what we need at this time.

Since enrolling at Master's, we find our time is more structured and we have a greater focus in our biblical studies. I firmly believe our ministry has been "taken up a notch."  We plan on pursuing this program to the Doctoral level, as finances become available. We feel that this school is very considerate and sensitive about "husband and wife" teams who minister together. The staff at Master's is very dedicated to helping their students with a "Christ-like" attitude.

Whenever we have a question, they are always very helpful and efficient in their response. We firmly recommend this school to all ministers and laymen/women seeking to advance their education and deepen their relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ.  The diligent study of the Word will yield eternal rewards. And we believe that whoever chooses Master's International School of Divinity will be truly blessed as they pursue "excellence" in education!"

Pastors Paul & Deborah Montecinos

"Consider it all joy,” James tells us when facing trails. Finishing my education had become a trial in my life. A very close friend and the person God chose to help bring salvation into my life talked to me. He reminded me about perseverance and endurance in my life, if I persevered I could finish my education.

 Receiving the Lord’s call to salvation a few years before, had given me a greater desire to please Christ, my Lord and Savior. Over the years I had not applied myself as I should have. I never had that desire to persevere, when it came to finishing my education. I’m in the senior years of my life, and I had often asked myself, what is the need for a degree now? At the same time I felt a little inferior in some ways, these were thoughts and doubts of my own.

 Working as an instructor, teacher, and biblical counselor, at Rod & Staff Ministries brought the desire to complete my degree. Also, came the questions of how do you do this and work full time. The time to go to classes and the hours of study would be very demanding on a person working full time. I had started college three times and had to dropout for this very reason.

 The confident counselors and the very informative Class Bulletins helped me to see the possibilities of completing my education. The off-campus studies allowed me to work at my own pace, to study and listen to the class lectures when it was convenient to my schedule. To apply other credits from prior studies and credit for life experiences was very helpful. This allowed me to complete my Bachelors degree in Biblical Counseling and to go on to complete my Masters of  Practical Divinity in Biblical Counseling.

 The degree programs and the special certification courses are in place to help men and women just like me called to Christian Ministry. Master's International School of Divinity presents a quality, Christ-centered program, with some of the most qualified instructors in their field. I personally was very impressed with the instructors and the materials at Master's International School of Divinity. I would recommend MISD to anyone needing to finish their education or needing off campus studies to fit within their schedule. James was right it was a joy Jesus gave me, when I finish my education, and received my degree."

Michael C. Rider, M.Min.

"Master's International School of Divinity has one of the most challenging and rewarding programs of its caliber. The courses are appropriately intense and entail among the highest standards I have encountered ranging from a Bachelor of Science through a Specialist Degree in School Administration. 

When I began my doctoral level studies, I didn't expect much more than a little reading and writing. To my surprise, I found myself devoting hours and hours to my studies. Quite simply, the more I worked, the more I gained from my work. I worked hard, and was greatly rewarded in the education that I received.  For these reasons, I highly recommend Master's International School of Divinity."

Dr. Estes Taplin,  Superintendent of Education
South Delta School District
Rolling Fork, MS

 "I just finished my Doctorate program and wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed my experience with the Master's International School of Divinity.  The opportunity your program gave me to tailor a doctoral program to complement my prior experience with my career ambitions was extremely helpful, not to mention the ability within the program to accelerate the learning process.  The Master's International School of Divinity has allowed me to quickly gain the necessary knowledge I needed, at my own
pace, with a meaningful graduate degree.  Thank you for helping me to become a better prepared vessel to serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
 
In His Service and to His Glory
Dr. David J. Tanner, President & CEO
First Strategy Group

"There seems to be two models of education today.  One model emphasizes "know-how," the other emphasizes "how-we-know."  The Master's Schools approach seems to fit the "how-we-know" model, in that the students are led to reflect deeply on their course work, to ask reflective questions, and to seek deeper answers.  This leads to personal growth, deeper commitment, and better mentoring of the students ministries.
 
I would think that most who enroll at the Master's Schools are there to become better equipped to minister in today's world.  With the Master's Schools approach of making their graduates into life-long learners through the “Life-Long Learning Contract”, the result is not just a better practitioner, the graduate becomes a better person in the process.  As far as I know The Master's School is unique in offering to it's graduates the powerful opportunity to continually deepen their biblical and spiritual awareness at no further cost (except mailing and handling)."
 
Dr. Archie Miller, Pastor
Orcutt Christian Church
Santa Maria, CA

"My experience as a student has been a tremendous blessing in my life.  Through the excellent lectures, which are very sound exegetically, I am equipped to minister and witness to people at all spiritual levels.

The professors provide more accurate, valuable information on each audio tape---approximately one hour in length---than I have received in any three-hour classroom lecture that I've attended in undergraduate through doctoral level accredited university programs.  All of the lectures contain important, illuminating and practical information.  The tapes allow the student to review the teaching as desired, and afford the convenience of fitting the program into one's busy schedule.

Completing the assignments was very rewarding and enriching experience, as I am subsequently empowered to tackle the challenging issues and tasks of the ministry to which God has called me.  I thank Him for Master's International School of Divinity!"

Dr. Taylor A. Baker, Jr.
District Coordinator, Adult and Community Education
Collier County Public School, FL

"I am currently enrolled in the Bachelor program for Biblical Counseling. I have had the privilege to minister to several married couples, helping them to improve situations in their marriages. My husband, Scott, is also enrolled in the Master's of Ministry degree program at MISD. Scott and I are leading a Bible study small group in our church. I feel that your courses at Master's are equipping us both to do work in His name. Thank you for offering the relevant courses and for making it possible for student's like myself to earn a degree doing home study. My church has a counseling center and is awaiting the completion of my degree to add me to their staff.  I am so blessed to be able to help people find their way closer to our God and Savior!"

In Christ,
Kathy Parker

 "I cannot express how the Master's degree has opened doors for my ministry. I have a growing jail and community outreach ministry, and am now involved with Angel Tree ministries. We have installed a full time Chaplain into the county Jail system, and have been able with Gods help to fully support this ministry by community contributions. God has opened the community to allow us to reach many of the un-churched, and the back sliders for Christ.   The Holy Spirit is definitely active and working thru Master's School."


A servant of Jesus Christ our Savior,
Pastor Philip Schaffner

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