The Effectiveness of Distance Learning Centers
Distance Learning Centers (DLCs) are powerful tools for discipleship!
The testimonies of students at the Landmark Church of God in Statesville, North Carolina, witness to the effectiveness of a DLC. The following are some of the testimonies:
Martha Dobson, the DLC coordinator at the Landmark Church of God, writes:
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Participants in the DLA at Statesville, N.C. |
In 2001, when Pastor Hudson asked me to pray about leading the CIMS (Certificate in Ministerial Studies) program at Landmark, I told him that I did not have a Bible degree and felt that perhaps a pastor should lead this. He told me that my graduate certification and training with [the] North Carolina Teacher Academy to teach adults and teachers led him to believe that I was qualified. I told him that I would do my best if he would be available to answer all of my questions. He has been faithful to do this, and I have learned so much. This has been a most humbling experience.
When I was 13 years of age, I felt a call to the ministry. I had such a hunger to know God. My father told me that he would never send me to college to prepare for ministry because ministry for him was a ticket to poverty. He’d been through the Depression and wanted me to be able to make a living. He told me that he would send me to college to be a nurse or a teacher. I could choose one. I honored my father and became a teacher. The CIMS program is enabling me to fulfill the dream that was birthed in my heart at the age of 13. I will soon complete the CIMS program.
Leading the CIMS program has been such a privilege. As I prepare for the class each week, I gain a deeper understanding of the Word. As I have prayed about the classes and leaned on the Holy Spirit for help, my life has been enriched and will never be the same again. God has been so faithful to all of us in this class.
The unity and one accord that the members of the CIMS classes share continues to be amazing. Everyone is free to ask questions and share thoughts without fear of looking or sounding foolish. We have class members from so many different walks of life: teachers, a nurse, a director of security, a retired forklift repairman, a grocer, an owner of a landscaping company, a postal employee, a highway department worker, a bank teller, and retired workers. God has fostered such [an] amazing bond and love for each other.
We begin each class with prayer. After class we have special prayer for anyone who needs hands laid on them; and during the week, we continue to pray for each other. Our faith continues to rise because we see so many prayers answered.
As we have studied the course, Knowing the Holy Spirit, there have been times that the Holy Spirit has taken over, and we’ve seen such a special anointing in our class.
The CIMS class is reasonably priced, yet not everyone can afford to take the classes for credit. We have a scholarship program at Landmark which is enabling two students to take the courses for credit who otherwise would have found CIMS not to be affordable. Many of us have been together for several years. I’ve seen wonderful spiritual growth in the lives of our members. Rose Messick and I have completed the Biblical and doctrinal sections of the CIMS program. I knew that I could not lead the pastoral courses. Yes, I could show the video; but I felt that we needed someone to teach who had experience and could answer questions. God brought Reverend Steve Newman to our church. Now he teaches courses from the pastoral section at 5:00 p.m. while I lead a class at 6: 30 p.m. every Monday evening. Steve has shown tremendous leadership and continues to be such a blessing.
I praise God for the gift of the CIMS program.
Pat Walker writes:
The CIMS class has been an awesome blessing to my husband and me. We are new here at Landmark Church of God. As we were invited to this wonderful class, it has just confirmed to us the reason that we desire to be a part of this church. The teaching was all Scripture based and Scripture strong. This enriched our lives so much. Likewise, our lives were blessed by the sweet, rich, powerful prayers that we knew and saw answered. The sweet presence of the Holy Spirit in this class is so real and present. He is the ultimate teacher who is so evident in our teacher. This class is a definite gift to help us grow and to heal, as well as empower us to bless the lives of others outside of this class. Praise God.
Gloria Privette writes:
Our CIMS class is a blessing, being able to centralize the classes where working people can get to classes to learn and earn credit, is wonderful. Thanks to God and whoever set the classes in local churches into place. We have the greatest teachers, but I love the unity with my classmates. Some are here for credits, but most just as a Bible study; but when there’s a need for prayer, they come together to pray heaven down for each other. I always know they’re only a call away, and God answers when these prayer warriors get together. Thank God for each one of them. God bless you all.
Nancy Jolly writes:
The CIMS class has been and is a most rewarding and helpful class. It has been very informative from the Holy Spirit to spiritual gifts. Also, I enjoy the fellowship of our group. I have witnessed so many answers to prayer and the presence of miracles in the lives of the members of the class. The CIMS class has been a real blessing to me. We are like a family and each class member prays for the others, as well as prayer requests. I am delighted that I have the opportunity to be a part of this Bible study group. We continue to learn and grow in the Lord.
Lester Lambert writes:
I enrolled in CIMS shortly after my wife of 19 years passed away. There were many days when I felt as though I couldn’t go on, but God in His love and mercy through our CIMS group gave me the strength to endure. I thank God for allowing me to be a part of something so special.
Rose Messick writes:
The Church of God School of Ministry means so much to me in many ways. First of all, this class has provided Christian friendship and has helped me to keep my focus on God and my relationship with my best friend and Savior, Jesus Christ. At this time in my life, with my children grown-up and going away to college; this class has given me a chance to work on my personal interest and commitment to God. CIMS has been an answer to prayer.
Neal Manchester writes:
I am taking [the] CIMS class strictly as a Bible study. I enjoy the teaching, the fellowship and the interaction of answers and questions between all of us.
Beverly Manchester writes:
I am taking [the] CIMS class strictly as a Bible study also. I enjoy the teaching, the fellowship and the interaction of answers and questions between all of us. Most of all I love that “we are all in one accord” and that God really hears our prayers and answers us (often very quickly). It is my favorite of all the church ministries, and I look forward so much to Monday night CIMS class. We all pretty much know one another’s problems, and we love one another and keep all information that is personal in that one room and to ourselves. I’ve learned so much and enjoyed every second of it.
Reverend Steven Norman writes:
I am proud that I am a part of the Church of God School of Ministry. I am an instructor and a student of the CIMS (Certificate In Ministerial Studies). I want to serve the Lord with a heart wholly committed to fulfilling His divine will.
I believe God didn’t call us to simply be a good starter. God called us to be a strong finisher. Never, never quit in your pursuit of God. Never quit learning. Never quit growing. Never quit developing yourself. That’s why I am a CIMS instructor and student.
You see if it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right. It’s worth giving 110 percent. Whatever you do, do it with all your heart. Learn to be flexible. Life is going to throw curve balls at you. There are going to be all kinds of unexpected developments. Learn to adapt. Remember this: Blessed are the flexible because they will not get bent out of shape.
Remember your source. You are what you are by the grace of God. You see when great things happen—and they will—remember to give God all the glory because he’s your source. And always remember to hold in highest respect and admiration those through whom the grace of God came to you. You are light years-ahead of where you would have been if you had not come to this place.
Always give God glory for everything that is accomplished and determine that He will receive much glory from your life. I am proud to be a part of the Church of God (CIMS) program for contemporary ministerial training through the Church of God School of Ministry.
I go to the Landmark Church of God where my pastor is Bishop Kenneth Hudson in Statesville, North Carolina. He directs me in my ministry and my teaching in the CIMS program. Also my instructor is Martha Dobson.
How does a DLC serve as a tool for discipleship? The following are ways demonstrated at the DLC in the Landmark Church of God:
1. Bonding. The students were interwoven into a healthy body of believers. And this rich bonding fulfills a deep need within people.
2. Caring. The students demonstrated love and support for each other in both ordinary and extraordinary times.
3. Learning. The course material and the discussion answered questions about how to live a Christian life.
Coordinating a DLC is simple. After securing permission from the state administrative bishop and the School of Ministry to start a Distance Learning Center, follow these steps:
1. Decide when you want to begin the DLC.
A. Decide the day. B. Decide the time.
2. Choose the courses you will offer.
A. If two courses are offered, you may want to choose a practical course along with a Biblical or doctrinal course.
3. Promote your Distant Learning Center.
A. Write area ministers. B. Call area ministers. C. Advertise on the radio and in newspapers. D. Targets: MIP graduates and new ministers.
4. Order the materials from the SOM.
Call the Church of God School of Ministry at 877-344-0488 about starting a DLC.
