One of the main focus points of Shepherding the Nations is our Bible Training Conferences. Pastors from the poorest rural areas of India are transported into main cities and taught during five-day Bible Conferences. We use Bible Teachers Centre for Pastors (BTCP) curriculum in order to give a comprehensive, yet practical understanding of Biblical theology, doctrine, and Christian living. (For more information about this curriculum, see article below.) Many of these men have never been to a Bible college and have no access to any resources other than their own Bibles, which is often not even in their native tongue.

Over 700 men and women have been trained and equipped with systematic teaching from God's Word. These men and women are continuing to serve in their local church throughout one state in Southern India and seven states of North India as well as the country of Nepal.

When our donors sponsor our Bible Conferences they are providing for the feasting of spiritual food as well as physical food. Because of the poor conditions of the villages in rural Asia, many of these men are used to eating only one meal a day. We provide them with three generous meals a day as well as transportation to and from the conferences, lodging, and all of the materials for their study.

Most of you who have been following STN know that we have undertaken a challenge - to train and equip 100 pastors from India. The BTCP (Bible Training Centre for Pastors) courses and materials have provided us with excellent tools that are
helping us to accomplish this goal. 

Our goal is to complete the training with these men in 5 years according to the schedule that you see below:

2009: 

• Bible Study Methods and Rules of Interpretation
• Old Testament Survey

2010:

• New Testament Survey
• Preaching Biblical Messages and Pastoral Ministry

2011:

• Bible Doctrine Survey
• Personal Spiritual Life

2012:

• Church Ministry / Administration / Education
• Teaching Principles and Methods

2013:

• Church History Survey
• Missions / Evangelism / Discipleship

All of this training occurs while the men are in the midst of pastoring their churches. We provide them with two
one-week training conferences each year. These incredibly committed men of God have already completed their first year of training and we believe that it was an overwhelming success. Having been taught how to study the Bible for the very first time and then learning about every book in the Old Testament has provided the men with a great foundation for their future ministry.
 
This year the men will be learning about the New Testament and will be given practical training on how to
preach. Dr. Keith Essex and Pastor Ryder Kumar will be teaching the first conference of 2010 in March. We know
that the pastors are going to thoroughly enjoy the teaching from these two amazing men.
 
The BTCP courses are very well done and offer a complete Bible curriculum, in their local language, at an affordable price ($10 per course). Without BTCP, it would be much more challenging to provide this kind of training to these godly men who are in such great need. And even though many of the men are lacking a serious educational background, these challenging materials are greatly assisting them in becoming more effective as pastors who are empowered by and useful to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.