SHEPHERD SCHOOL
Shepherd School is designed to fit busy lives. The program is a hybrid of online learning and monthly video conference discussions to review material and enhance learning.
Coursework will provide you understanding of God’s Word, the importance of prayer, and what it means to be a disciple of Christ through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. A key component of every course is personal application of the material and how what is learned may also be used in ministry.
Program Description
The curriculum covers a variety of major topics including:
- Old & New Testament Survey**
- Prayer
- Discipleship & Spiritual Disciplines
- Holy Spirit & Spiritual Gifts
- Ministry Leadership
- Sermon Preparation
In general, students will be expected for each course to:
- Read a specified text book or online readings
- Answer questions related to the reading material or complete certain assignments
- Participate in a Zoom discussion to further learning of materials, ask questions, and apply to personal and ministry life
To complete the entire curriculum will take approximately 2 years. However, if students qualify to omit the Old & New Testament Survey portions, the curriculum takes about 1 year.
** Bible survey requirements may be omitted if the student can show:
- Successful completion of GOF Discipleship
- Active participation in a GOF Discipleship group
- Successful completion of similar coursework through another religious or educational institution.
School Requirements
All students are expected to have lifestyles in accordance with the biblical principles set for ministry leadership (Acts 6:1-3; 1 Tim 3:1-13; Titus 1:6-11).
The following additional requirements are set for student group success and learning:
- Proficient in English and able to communicate clearly through verbal and written means
- Have consistent access to internet and a computer/electronic device for reading of materials and submission of assignments
- Zoom app — for monthly discussions
- Kindle app — for most reading materials
- Purchase of required reading (usually through Amazon)
Cost
Recommended donation:
$550 (if no Bible Survey required)
$950 (if Bible survey required)
Donations will be used to help cover costs of the program and make it possible for materials and instruction to reach foreign national pastors. In order to do this, we must translate materials and provide instruction in formats suitable for low or no technology areas.
GOF does NOT want cost to be a factor in the new step of ministry, however there are costs involved to make this program available. We ask each participant to donate according to the recommended amount above or by what is affordable for each individual student.
Affiliation & Accredidation
GOF is a non-denominational, Pentecostal organization focused on worldwide evangelism, discipleship, and training of ministers. As such, the Shepherd School reflects those distinctives and courses reflect Spirit-led instruction and learning.
The Shepherd School is NOT a nationally accredited program. Successful graduates receive a certification of completion from Global Outreach Foundation and fulfills educational requirements for ministry licensing through Pray-Tell Ministries, Inc.
Ministry Licensure
GOF does not credential or license ministers as an organization, but we collaborate with Pray-Tell Ministries, Inc. (PTM) by providing a curriculum which meets the educational requirements for licensing through PTM.
GOF and PTM have a long-standing relationship and many GOF missionaries hold credentials with Pray-Tell Ministries, Inc.
Shepherd’s School was such a blessing to me! The instructor always had material which pushed us further into the things of the Lord. Every month we learned something new and the material was relevant and impactful. I was challenged,
encouraged, and changed by several books and studies we went through.
In our studies, I learned several new things, some of which were sermon preparation, what healthy and unhealthy leadership looks like, and new tools and guides for prayer and daily devotional/encounters. I was already passionate about prayer and the understanding and workings of the Holy Spirit, but Shepherd’s School brought me into a deeper pursuit for prayer and reverence and dependence on the Holy Spirit. I appreciated the fact that this school was birthed by prayer, and it was sustained by prayer.
Through the Shepherd School, the Lord took me into a place of fire and refinement of
my character and brought healing to many areas of my life. I am forever grateful for
what God did and I was given the tools and space for the Lord to move in me and have His way, all the while under the loving and gentle leadership who walked through the fire with me.