John and Gay Davis

 

Where and How We Work 


When we first arrived in South Dakota we worked in Black Hills Indian Bible College. The college produced several graduates all of which went into Native American ministry. However, it quickly became obvious that most potential students were not going to move to Rapid City to attend college. The first response to this understanding was to create extension classes based on the college’s curriculum. This drew many students to take one class but did not really fit well with the need.

 

 In 2004 the college transitioned into Institute for Ministry Development and began using the Berean School of the Bible curriculum. The typical class now meets once a week in a local church near the student’s residence. John and Gay live in Rapid City and drive to these class locations. Another approach has been the use of interactive video like ichat over the Internet equipment to allow for classes beyond the distance that can be driven in one day. This method allows complete interaction with the students with almost as personal approach. We have also used the telephone to do whole classes in one-on-one situations when the Internet was not an option.

 

 MAP OF IMD LOCATIONS

IMD Map

 

In addition to Berean classes that are aimed at students preparing for full time ministry, we have produced seminars based on the felt needs of the local church. These vary greatly in subject but are custom designed to respond to the requests of the pastor.  Our aim is to support the pastoral staff and leaders as they grow and respond to the needs of their congeregations. The participants are usually the leaders of the chuch such as board members and teachers.

  South Dakota Road

With this approach to ministry we often refer to ourselves as mobile classrooms. Typically we drive to a location, carry in books, handouts, and an overhead projector. We then setup, teach class, tear down, and drive home. Praise God for STL because without it this would be impossible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

US Missions Resources

  • Church “Adopts” Military Chaplain


    Assemblies of God military chaplains go through extensive schooling and training to prepare for their duties. They are men and women of strong faith and great courage.

  • Cornell University Clears Chi Alpha

    The Chi Alpha group ministering to students at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, recently had its funding temporarily suspended by Cornell's Student Assembly Finance Commission (SAFC) while it investigated the forced resignation of one of the Chi Alpha student leaders.

  • Couple Wrap Up 39 Years of Prison Ministry

    A lot has changed in the 39 years since Lloyd and Nita Colbaugh began volunteering at the United States Medical Center, a federal prison hospital in Springfield, Missouri.

  • Surprise Home Makeover Results in Tears and Cheers

    Several years ago, Ed and Leah Bass purchased a home in Alvarado, Texas. It was a fixer-upper, but the couple was determined to turn the desperately needy house into their dream home. Step by step, they started to repair and rebuild the house. Last July, the couple went to pick out new paint colors and items for the house, dreaming of what was to be.

  • New Chi Alpha Scholarship Awarded by Regent

    Regent University School of Law recently announced that Leanne Watrous, a member of the University of Virginia Chi Alpha ministry, has been awarded the first Regent Law Chi Alpha Scholarship.