Minister Training Academy

Ministry Licensing or Ordination is not a right or a privilege, but the affirmation that one is called and prepared for greater service to the Lord as a minister of the gospel.  Therefore, all candidates will be assessed by a Licensing Team or examined by an Ordination Council in the areas outlined in this syllabus.

Candidates will not be expected to adhere to a particular scriptural interpretation or doctrine but are required to articulate thoughtful and clear expressions of faith and belief. 

This study of the dynamics of spiritual leadership will focus on your personal development as a leader in the areas: inner life discipline and maturing, grasping the Word of God, Biblical doctrine and ministry maturing. Our goal is to capture principles of spiritual formation in our own lives to become more effective leaders and mentors, with full consideration that spiritual gifts, life experiences, and personality uniquely equip us to serve God. This training program is designed with the understanding that, although individuals grow and mature in different ways and at various integrals, our collective learning and development should wholly embrace the mission and purpose of equipping his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up. (Eph 4:12)
 
Students will receive a general introduction into different areas of ministry and an introduction to Bible structure, core biblical doctrines, and biblical interpretation and teaching methods. As a result, students will have a broader understanding of ministry skills, and will be equipped to operate with greater spiritual authority. Students should be able to adopt effective Bible study and interpretation methods in preparation for teaching and preaching the Gospel.

Individuals who have expressed a call to ministry.  

We are using google classroom to submit assignments

This course is graded by completion of assignments. This course is formative for ministry preparation. Success is measured by:

1. Faithful participation.
2. Evidence of deeper understanding in discussions.
3. Growing confidence in applying hermeneutical principles in real ministry contexts.

Course textbook: Grasping God's Word may be purchased at AMAZON.  Click Here to Purchase: https://a.co/d/0pzTqjv

Supplemental Materials may be purchased at AMAZON

Fall 2025 – Winter 2026
Textbook: Grasping God's Word, Fourth Edition: A Hands-On Approach to Reading, Interpreting, and Applying the Bible

A Proven Approach to Help You Interpret and Understand the Bible
Grasping God's Word has proven itself in classrooms across the country as an invaluable help to students who want to learn how to read, interpret, and apply the Bible for themselves. This book will equip you with a five-step Interpretive Journey that will help you make sense of any passage in the Bible. It will also guide you through all the different genres found in the Bible to help you learn the specifics of how to best approach each one.
Filling the gap between approaches that are too simple and others that are too technical, this book starts by equipping readers with general principles of interpretation, then moves on to apply those principles to specific genres and contexts.

This fourth edition includes revised chapters on word studies and Bible translations, updated illustrations, cultural references, bibliography, and assignments. This book is the ideal resource for anyone looking for a step-by-step guide that will teach them how to accurately and faithfully interpret the Bible.

Format: Reading, Workbook Assignments, and Video Lectures (in-class)

Instructor(s): Rev. Erica Hall, Assistant Pastor (Team:Min. Walter Bridgewater; Min. Darryl Jackson)
Features include:

• Proven in classrooms across the country
• Hands-on exercises to guide students through the interpretation process
• Emphasis on real-life application
• Supplemented by a website for professors providing extensive teaching materials
• Accompanying workbook, video lectures, laminated study guide (sold separately)

Supplements: Grasping God's Word Laminated Sheet