Other Study Opportunities

Short Terms

Winter Short Term

During the month of January, Faith Builders offers classes during a five-week term. The courses offered are focused in the areas of Bible, theology, discipleship and music. This term is specifically designed to address the needs of students not traditionally served by conservative Mennonite Bible schools. This includes both older students as well as church leaders. The classes are open to students who desire to spend only one term at Faith Builders, although preference will be given to long-term students. The typical course load is 6-8 semester hours. Some courses run the entire five weeks while others may run for as little as one week.

Winter Term 2013 is planned for January - February , 2013. More information will be posted as it is finalized.

Class Information

Applications for this term are now closed.

Winter Term on the FBlog

Summer Short Term

During the month of July, Faith Builders offers a five-week term. Our course offerings during this term are designed to prepare and equip teachers in K-12 settings. Courses suitable for first-time teachers are available as well courses for the seasoned teacher looking for continued professional development. Additionally, many of the courses would fit into traditional liberal arts programs at other schools. The typical course load is 6-8 semester hours.

Summer Term 2012

Good teachers are always learning and growing, increasing their knowledge and skills while developing as persons. Many teachers have found that the challenge and discipline of doing summer courses have increased their effectiveness as teachers. Summer Term provides an opportunity for teachers to invest in their capabilities as a teacher. Many schools and churches are encouraging that investment by offering financial support to teachers attending Summer Term at Faith Builders.

Summer Term 2012 is planned for June 25 - July 27, 2012.

Class information

Summer Term on the FBlog

Other Study Opportunities

2013 Study Team

Faith Builders is offering a six-week Study Team in Turkey for the summer of 2013. This experience is intended to prepare workers, strengthen churches, and discover the faith of early Christians.

The Study Team in Turkey is offered as an extension of Faith Builders’ Summer Term. Two courses will be offered: “Understanding Muslims” and “The Church in the Middle East—Anatolia.” Courses are offered on the post-secondary level, using the semester hour system and following Faith Builders’ academic policies. Students who successfully complete the course work will receive three semester hours of credit for each course. Participants who are accepted will have pre-travel reading and writing assignments to complete. This will provide preparation for the time in Turkey as well as allow more time to actively engage with Muslims during the time in Turkey. After spending four weeks in formal study at a fixed location in Turkey, the Study Team will embark on a two-week study trip through Turkey and possibly northern Iraq.

Financial Information:

• Application Fee (nonrefundable): $20 (waived for alumni)
• Registration Fee: $25 ($10 for alumni)
• Travel, Tuition, Meals, and Lodging Costs: $1,500.00 per person or couple

Faith Builders is partnering with churches, businesses, and individuals to make this Study Team a possibility for those interested in developing vision for and working among Muslims. Students will pay $1,500 and the remaining costs will be covered by donations.

Course information

Understanding Muslims

History of Islam and Turkey
To understand Muslims it helps to grasp at least some aspects of their history. This course will consider the development of Islam and its rapid growth throughout the Middle East and Asia in addition to challenges facing Muslims in more recent times. By considering these factors, participants will be able to explain the things that hinder openness to the Gospel.

Muslim Faith and Culture
The Islamic faith touches nearly every aspect of a faithful Muslims life. With over 100,000 laws to follow and varying interpretations to how those laws should be followed, Islam has become very diverse. Rather than being one monolithic “Islam”, Muslims are diverse peoples.

Sharing the Faith with Muslims
In many conversations with Muslims, the same issues arise repeatedly. By engaging with Muslims on a daily basis and discussing these encounters in class, participants will learn how to avoid traps and ask good questions to begin conversations. The class will also discuss recent trends in mission to Muslims.

The Church in the Middle East - Anatolia
This class will discover the history of Christianity in Anatolia and visit historical sites of the Seven Churches of Revelations in modern Turkey and sites that were essential in the development of Christianity and the Church.

Early Christianity in Anatolia
In The New Testament period we will look at Paul ’s experiences in Anatolia, consider Peter’ and John’s letters, as well as the historical setting of the Seven Churches of Revelation. Christianity rose to dominance after periods of intense persecution in the Roman Empire. Many of the early church councils, including the Council of Nicea took place in Anatolia.

Christianity Meets Islam
With the coming of Islam, Christianity in Anatolia faced many challenges. First, Egypt and the Middle East were lost to Islam. With the coming of the Turks and the Crusades, Constantinople fell and Christianity came under Ottoman rule.

Christianity Today in Anatolia
Christians today in Turkey—Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant and their relations with Islam and the government.

Two Week Study Trip
After the four weeks of formal study at a fixed location, the Study Team will embark on a two-week study trip through Turkey and possibly Northern Iraq. Traveling to sites such as Ephesus, Smyrna, Philadelphia and even Cappadocia will offer more opportunity to meet Muslims and share the Good News with them. Many times folks in the tourism industry speak English and are open to hear the Good News. The trip will also bring participants into contact with local Christians. Turkey has a mixture of Armenian, Syrian and Muslim Background Believers who struggle to live out the calling of Christ in challenging circumstances.

The Study Team will be in Turkey July 1 – August 9, 2013. We will begin accepting applications for the Study Team on August 15, 2012. Contact the Faith Builders office at (814) 789-4518 or fbep@fbep.org for an application or more information.

Updated 04/26/2012