(Assemblies of God U.S. Missions approval required)

The Urban Bible Training Centers (UBTC) program is a cooperative effort of Berean School of the Bible and the Assemblies of God U.S. Missions. UBTC classes are typically conducted in a local church facility and are designed as an educational program for area church members already involved in ministry in their churches. This program was originally designed for urban settings, but is being used effectively in all kinds of communities across the U.S.

Urban Bible Training Center classes (16 interactive class hours per course) are led by approved facilitators (usually local pastors) and each student is assigned an approved mentor. All enrollments are handled by a local record-keeper. Students who complete Year 1 and Year 2 classes (as listed below) and participate in local ministry and mentoring as monitored by their local UBTC are awarded a Berean School of the Bible Diploma in Urban Bible Training.

Students who complete the UBTC program are expected to possess the necessary Bible knowledge, ministry skills, and spiritual character to minister in any local church and community setting. It is understood that this is the beginning of a lifetime of ongoing learning and development. All of the UBTC diploma program courses apply toward fulfilling educational requirements for ministerial credentials with the General Council of the Assemblies of God. Additional Berean School of the Bible courses needed to complete these requirements for ministerial credentials (listed below) are the responsibility of each individual student. UBTC directors can advise students regarding enrollment and study opportunities.

For more information, download the UBTC Procedures Manual.

Requirements for UBTC Diploma

Year 1

• BIB114 Christ in the Synoptic Gospels
• THE114 Introduction to Pentecostal Doctrine
• BIB115 Acts: The Holy Spirit at Work in Believers
• BIB117 Prison Epistles: Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, and Philemon
• BIB121 Introduction to Hermeneutics: How to Interpret the Bible
• MIN123 The Local Church in Evangelism

Year 2

• THE211 Introduction to Theology
• BIB212 New Testament Survey
• BIB214 Old Testament Survey
• BIB215 Romans: Justification by Faith
• THE245 Eschatology: A Study of Things to Come
• MIN251 Effective Leadership

UBTC Students Seeking Ministerial Credentials

Students who complete the Year 1 courses (listed above) may apply through their district councils for Certified Minister credentials with the General Council of the Assemblies of God, USA, if they also complete the following courses:

• THE142 Assemblies of God History, Missions, and Governance
• MIN181 Relationships and Ethics in Ministry *
• MIN191 Beginning Ministerial Internship

Students who also complete Year 2 courses (listed above) may apply through their district councils for Licensed Minister credentials with the U.S. Assemblies of God if they also complete the following courses:

• MIN223 Introduction to Homiletics
• MIN261 Introduction to Assemblies of God Missions
• MIN281 Conflict Management for Church Leaders *
• MIN291 Intermediate Ministerial Internship

* District Seminar Courses - may be taught in a local study center with district approval.

Additional UBTC Ordination Requirements

After receiving the licensed minister credential through the process initiated with the district office, UBTC students may continue their studies for the Ordination credential by completing the required courses for Level Three (Ordination) in addition to the courses required for certified minister and licensed minister credentials.

Students interested in applying for ministerial credentials should check with the appropriate district office since credentials are issued by the General Council Credentials Committee upon recommendation of the district, not by UBTC, Berean School of the Bible, or Global University. It is recommended that students who anticipate applying for ministerial credentials establish a relationship with their appropriate District Office at the beginning of this process.