Desert Hills Bible Institute serves as a theological educational ministry of Desert Hills Bible Church in a specialized capacity—that is, beyond the regular preaching of God’s Word in general congregational settings. Students will complete seminary level study.
The mission of DHBC has long been to advance Christ’s kingdom—or “reach the world”—through multiplication. Part of that multiplication necessarily involves the Great Commission’s aspect of sending. If DHBC will send disciple-making disciples, a reasonable way to facilitate that sending is by equipping such ministers from the resources God has graciously and abundantly afforded DHBC.
Theological educational institutions often have been established in conjunction with churches and/or denominations and have maintained biblical and theological fidelity as long as close identification with the faithful local church is maintained. Desert Hills Bible Institute is established, therefore, as a ministry of Desert Hills Bible Church and intends to maintain operation under its auspices and in accord with its mission and statement of faith, particularly since the produce of this ministry will be pastors, teachers, and missionaries being sent from DHBC.
Desert Hills Bible Institute serves as a theological educational ministry of Desert Hills Bible Church in a specialized capacity—that is, beyond the regular preaching of God’s Word in general congregational settings. Students will complete seminary level study.
The mission of DHBC has long been to advance Christ’s kingdom—or “reach the world”—through multiplication. Part of that multiplication necessarily involves the Great Commission’s aspect of sending. If DHBC will send disciple-making disciples, a reasonable way to facilitate that sending is by equipping such ministers from the resources God has graciously and abundantly afforded DHBC.
Theological educational institutions often have been established in conjunction with churches and/or denominations and have maintained biblical and theological fidelity as long as close identification with the faithful local church is maintained. Desert Hills Bible Institute is established, therefore, as a ministry of Desert Hills Bible Church and intends to maintain operation under its auspices and in accord with its mission and statement of faith, particularly since the produce of this ministry will be pastors, teachers, and missionaries being sent from DHBC.
Applicants need not have an interest in vocational ministry. While the institute’s primary goal is to train those seeking to plant churches in the Phoenix valley (and/or beyond) or serve as vocational missionaries either domestically or internationally, the vision of DHBI is to contribute to fulfilling Christ’s Great Commission by equipping his disciples to be faithful in obeying all that he has commanded by knowing more faithfully and fully precisely what he has commanded.
Christ’s disciples—“from the least of them to the greatest of them” (Jer 31:34)—are said to know God. Moses, wanting to know God in this consummate way, prayed, “let me know Your ways that I may know You” (Exod 33:13). Seeing the glory of God, as Moses both requested and desired for all God’s people (Num 11:29), entails knowing “Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col 2:3; cf. 2 Cor 4:6). The more one knows God’s ways—that is, his self-disclosure in Scripture and its precepts—the more one can faithfully know, love, and serve God. This is the calling of every disciple of Jesus Christ. Therefore, DHBI welcomes all eager students of God’s Word.
DHBC Equip Groups offer a Sunday morning opportunity for Bible or theological study, prayer, and fellowship distinct from congregational worship or home group gatherings. The dynamic studies are lecture-based and somewhat interactive. In joining DHBC’s joyful duty of equipping the saints and building up the body of Christ (Eph 4:12–13), Desert Hills Bible Institute provides a more formal and rigorous educational setting similar to that of a seminary. Rather than optional attendance and lectures, students study and complete graduate level assignments as they imbibe God’s Word and precepts. Further, the goal of equipping vocational ministers such as pastors and missionaries distinguishes the mission of DHBI from that of congregational Equip Groups.
Applicants indicate their Christian confession and local church membership in a formal application, either print or online, which, at DHBI’s discretion, may also include a formal interview with DHBI Admissions. All applicants remit a nominal, non-refundable application fee. DHBI admits both male and female students from both DHBC’s membership and other likeminded churches, though courses intended for pastoral ministry training are reserved for male students, in accord with DHBC’s stated doctrinal convictions (see Statement of Faith, “What We Teach at Desert Hills Bible Church,” VII. The Church, F).
Courses are tuition-assigned in accord with a fee structure listed below. Because DHBC understands the sometimes cost-prohibitive nature of formal seminary education, yet simultaneously desires to equip well its dispatched ministers and faithful congregants, the tuition and fee structure is designed to accommodate students from a diverse range of economic statuses. Scholarships may also be available.
Because DHBI is a ministry of DHBC, and a service with expenses, tuition and fees are reasonably situated in comparison with similar ministries. The following chart gives applicants an idea of expenses, not including textbooks or possible additional resource expenses. Courses will typically be 3 credit hour courses.
*Does not include DHBC member $50 discount
Students may withdraw from a course with accounting according to the following schedule:
As mentioned in the previous question, applicants may be considered for scholarships.
Desert Hills Bible Institute is a ministry of Desert Hills Bible Church.
Read more about the Institute’s rationale and philosophy here.