Pakistani institute calls practical ministry a key training component

Founded in 1982, Zarephath Bible Institute (ZBI) in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, offers Certificates, Diplomas and Bachelor of Theology degrees with plans to offer a Master of Divinity degree program in 2009. Many of the institute’s 159 graduates serve in Pakistani churches, Christian hostels and through evangelism. ZBI cooperates with several evangelical missions and initiated a fellowship called Theological Educators’ Forum, providing opportunity for teachers from several institutions to meet once a year and learn from each other for a few days.

The interdenominational institute says a key ingredient to their training program is practical ministry. As the school builds relationships with the local churches in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, students serve many of the churches through Bible studies, theological education by extension courses, youth meetings, pastoral ministry, evangelism, children’s work, literature distribution and Bible correspondence courses. Students also complete practical ministries in Christian organizations and outreach throughout the country. Graduates are required to complete two years of ministry before receiving their degree.

ZBI will start construction on the new student residential quarters for 20 men and 10 couples in spring 2009. Once complete, the institute will no longer pay rent on four houses they currently use for this housing need.

Because Bachelor of Theology student Shehnaz Barkat aspires to be a Sunday school teacher, she uses her weekly practical fieldwork as time to visit different Sunday schools and interact with the children and sometimes their families to discuss any issues they may face. “All these things help me to be a better teacher and help me solve their problems adequately.” She says this weekly work prepares her to have a better ministry.