Desert Hills Bible Institute

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 will provide a more formal and rigorous educational setting similar to that of a seminary. Rather than optional attendance and lectures, students will 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 will indicate their Christian confession and local church membership in a formal application, either print or online, which will also include a formal interview with DHBI Admissions. All applicants will remit a nominal, non-refundable application fee. DHBI will admit both male and female students initially only from DHBC’s membership, though courses intended for pastoral ministry training will be 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.

As mentioned in the previous question, applicants may be considered for scholarships.

For applicants desiring education only in particular courses, rather than completing the full program of study, two options are available. First, candidates who desire full investment in a course and its coursework may apply and register for any one course. Second, auditor applicants may be admitted with reduced tuition. While auditors will complete the common application process, if admitted, they are under no obligation to complete written assignments or be subject to grading or transcript.

The inaugural semester—August 2024—will offer one to three courses, depending on faculty availability and student interest. Courses will typically compare with 3 credit hour seminary course instruction. Because DHBI will provide adult education, courses will be evening offerings only, two or three nights per week for 13-to-16-week semesters in the Fall and Spring.

Desert Hills Bible Institute will offer graduate/seminary level instruction to equip gospel ministers as well as Christ-followers who simply want to improve their biblical theological literacy in order, like Apollos, to serve their Lord more faithfully by knowing “the way of God more accurately” (Acts 18:24–26; cf. Exod 33:13). Instruction in the following areas will be offered: Biblical Interpretation, Biblical and Systematic Theology, Church History and Tradition, Biblical Languages, Pastoral and Leadership Ministries, Homiletics, Apologetics and Evangelism, and Missions, Culture, and Ethics.

As a ministry of DHBC, DHBI offices and classrooms will be located on DHBC’s Glendale, Arizona campus. No online instruction will be offered initially, though periodic electronic correspondence will be necessary, and lectures will be recorded for reference.

Students will be responsible for acquiring course materials such as reading materials, assignment completion tools (e.g., computer, paper, printers, etc.), class participation and note-taking media, etc.

Classrooms will offer Wi-Fi accessibility, restroom facilities, and kitchen access.

The DHBC library will be available to students during prescribed hours and for borrowing necessary resources. Local (and digital) library sharing programs may be available.

God has graciously afforded DHBC several formally theologically trained members, among whom are three who hold Doctor of Philosophy degrees in theological studies and approximately seven who hold a Master of Divinity degree.

Additionally, DHBI will occasionally host visiting professors from reputable and theologically like-minded institutions.

Regional accrediting is a lengthy process, typically completed in years rather than weeks. DHBI’s initial goal is to equip faithful ministers to be sent-out from DHBC “for the sake of the Name” (3 John 1:7). While full regional accreditation will not accompany the inaugural semesters, DHBI plans to partner with regionally accredited institutions to secure course credit for several of the courses offered. Full accreditation is a future consideration.

DHBI will offer, however, a course transcript to students who complete courses. This record of study may be considered beneficial by other local churches and/or ministry agencies should a student be providentially relocated prior to being sent-out by DHBC.

Anyone not necessarily interested in being a student at DHBI may certainly be a blessing to its students, and consequently to the kingdom of Christ, as more and more faithful, biblically trained ministers of the gospel are dispatched from DHBC.

You may pray earnestly for DHBI—its leadership, faculty, and students, logistics, biblical and ministerial faithfulness, and for all the provisions necessary “to equip the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ” (Eph 4:12–13).

Because Ecclesiastes 10:19c is proverbially true 😉, designated donations of any amount are gratefully accepted here.

Further inquiries may be sent to [email protected]. Inquirers may also keep track of important updates at this webpage.