"Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me."
-Colossians 1:28-29
The Petra School of Ministry flows through each of the churches across all three locations (Bozeman, Colombia, Nicaragua) to provide Bible, theological, and ministerial classes and resources to train kingdom workers to become successful pastors, elders, deacons, evangelists, missionaries, worship leaders, and lay leaders. There are currently 65 students between all three locations. Part of Vision 2025 is to train 100 church leaders through the School of Ministry and to begin sending them out for the planting of new works.
Philosophy of Ministry
There is a common philosophy of ministry in the U.S. that to be equipped for the mission field or serving in the church that training needs to take place outside of the local church (through seminaries, parachurch ministries, etc.) and is often knowledge based. Although these pursuits can be supplemental, we believe biblically the main training, equipping and sending should flow through the local church, as the Petra School of Ministry does, and should be practical, obedience based, and biblically contextualized (Ephesians 4:11-13). The focus is on both character and competency development. Classes include hermeneutics, systematic and biblical theology, spiritual disciplines, church history, evangelism and apologetics, marriage, family life, a preaching lab, how to integrate theology and ministry, church government and discipline, biblical finances, leadership, discipleship and biblical counseling.
Testimonies
Edgar
"The School of Ministry has been so encouraging for my life, not only for the preaching and study of the Bible, but for the privilege of seeing and sharing with other men as God is shaping the vision and lives of all who participate. It is a blessing to be able to see the faithfulness and perseverance of the saints with my own eyes in the lives of the pastors and in my fellow brothers in Christ."
Hamilton
"I believe that one of the great strengths of the ministerial philosophy of Petra is the Lordship of Christ over all things. Applied in the church, it leads us to see the church not as a possession, but as a privilege for which we will be held accountable. Luke 17:10 expresses it this way, “We are unworthy servants who simply do our duty.” I thank God for Pastor Jared who taught us through his shepherding, discipleship and mentoring to rest in the Lord’s work, releasing the church into His hands and serving it under God’s design."
Wilbur
"All the theological principles that we studied in the book of Colossians, God has used to impact my heart to see sins, lies, and my lack of faith in the promises of God. It was more than just filling me with knowledge, it was a fresh perspective to this book of the Bible that I have read so many times. It was a great time of learning alongside my brothers. I am very grateful for Pastor Jared."