Extension: Taking “Initiative” to Reach Out in Love

By Dr. Jason Koppen (President)

In the Gospels we see Jesus constantly and actively reaching out to others, then calling his followers to do the same (Luke 10:1; Matthew 28:19; Acts 1:8). As a college, IBC seeks to express the heart of God here, near, and far. Originally, this was exclusively defined as off-campus classes, i.e. “extension studies”. IBC has offered these kinds of in-person classes for decades, but since 2010 has sustained an ongoing commitment to offering an 18-credit Christian Ministry Certificate, designed for the lay person who needs training in the basics of Bible study, theology, and ministry. Since the COVID pandemic this has primarily taken the form of live online hybrid classes where students “attend” the class via Zoom. This semester there are fourteen students taking classes from five states.

Recently, IBC has expanded the definition of this initiative to include all kinds of ministry activities off-campus, including (but not limited to):

Ministry Partnership Participation in such activities as the Mission Connexion Conference (missionconnexion.global/southwest2024/) and in the Western Regional of the Association of North American Missions (we are hosting the annual gathering on our campus for the first time this year).

Developing Print Resources, such as the Indigenous Voices Journal (volume 3 is in the works; volumes 1 and 2 are available on our website at indianbible.org/news/the-indigenous-voices-journal/) and the Native Mending the Soul workbook (see article on page 3).

Ministry Trips like the annual spring Ministry Immersion Trip, recent anniversary celebrations, and international trips (see article on page 2).

One area we are working to develop and improve upon is our ability to support graduates in their ministries. Every year IBC sends out more graduates trained in its Core Values (approved in 2013; see indianbible.org/core-values/) who need field and prayer support, financial assistance, fellowship, and team building. We are actively working to develop a more robust approach to ongoing graduate support.

What a delight it is to see staff and students having such an impact beyond the “walls of campus”! Please pray for IBC in its ongoing efforts to impact indigenous ministry across the continent—and eventually, all around the world!