Quote from Jeff Becker on October 30, 2025, 12:08 am

When I joined with Dave Kenady in 2006 in an effort to preserve the teachings of the Bible College we both attended, I had only one goal in mind: to preserve the material as a historical archive.  It was Dave who took it to the next level and made it available on the Internet.  I assisted him in it but really didn’t offer significant changes.  Together we captured over 4,000 hours of audio.

As a historical archive it clearly and transparently showed what we were taught in Bible College.  As we looked at where the church, as a separate entity, began to diverge from this material and the Biblical principles found in it, we decided to leave all of that divergent material out.  My hope was that the divergent material would be lost to the ash heap of history, never to be taught or embraced again.

The material that we retained here is the material that was abandoned by the church and replaced with secular ideals which brought corruption to so many and destroyed the church and Bible College along with many families and individuals’ lives.  I like to use the analogy of a car wreck.  After a crash a car is hauled off to a recycler, often referred to as a junkyard.  There it is taken apart and any usable parts are kept to be used in other vehicles and the rest is disposed of permanently.  Our intent here was to do just that.  The Bible College material presented here is sound, Biblical teaching and is worth preserving and reusing.

As time went on I began to realize the value of this material beyond just the historical accuracy of it.  Not only did it show what we were taught and what we believed but it also became clear that others could benefit from it.

Over the years I made suggestions and offered to make improvements to the website that would help others receive from what we were given.  Eventually, I just set out to create a prototype for a new version of the site.  Dave saw it, approved and we launched version 2.0 of the site.  It included features that played audio files in a page and displayed scripture references, topics and subtitles as they were spoken of in the audio portion of the material.

My ‘vision’ for what this site could be continued to grow.  Dave chose the name ‘Freely Given Online Bible College’ to reflect the broader vision that we shared for this ministry.  Together we began to add new features and new material that others could benefit from to help them grow in their faith and knowledge of the Word of God.

Looking long term I saw the opportunity to add multilingual capabilities using subtitles, often called ‘closed captioning’. In addition to assisting the hearing impaired it also gave us a solid basis for translating to other languages used around the world.

But even that isn’t enough to make this a true Bible College.  So, what is needed?

In the weeks and months before Dave Kenady announced his retirement I felt the Lord working in a way that was not only consistent with how He has worked in the past but also leads me to believe that He wants this ministry to grow.

For years, when I spoke of this ministry I referred to it as the ‘Bible College Website’.  But for many months I felt constrained in my spirit to drop the word ‘website’ and refer to it simply as the ‘Bible College’.  With that came a sense that it was time to step things up.  To become a true Bible College.

For several months before Dave announced his retirement I felt pushed by the Holy Spirit to make extensive improvements to some of the software that I’ve developed for the Bible College [website].  I had other work to do so I kept trying to put it aside, but I wasn’t allowed.  I would wake in the morning with my head flooded with ideas and changes that could be made to the software.  The unction of the Holy Spirit let me know something was coming.

After Dave’s departure I started trying to get my head wrapped around what was happening and where this should go.  I was feeling alternately excited and overwhelmed.  As I put the pieces together from all the years of work on this site a clear picture started to emerge.  It’s time for this ministry to become a Bible College.

Here’s a list of what I believe is needed to change this website into a Bible College:

• Academic Standards – There are accepted measures of what constitutes a true college. Many organizations call themselves ‘Bible Colleges’ but fall short of that standard to some measure;
• Appropriate and Adequate Course Material – It should cover all areas needed to prepare students to use the material in their lives and careers.  In my opinion there were gaps in the original material that need to be filled so new material will be needed;
• Access to Teaching Staff – Since most of the instructors in the original material are unavailable we’ll have to supply Teaching Assistants (TAs) instead.  Coincidentally, many of us who graduated from the original Bible College have reached retirement age.  Some are looking for new things to do.  Technology can bridge the gap and bring students and TAs together no matter how many miles between them;
• Meet International and Multilingual Demands – Providing the material in other languages is only part of the solution.  Making available TA’s in multiple languages presents some logistical issues.;
• Verification of Course Completion – Class attendance, testing, assignment completion and extra credit have to be evaluated and confirmed. Technology can help but trusted TAs will be needed for this as well;
• Programs and Degree Planning – Originally the degrees available were a Bachelor of Theology, a Master of Theology and a Master of Ministry.  There’s a need for others such as Associate of Theology and Associate of Ministry, a 1 year program, discipleship training and new convert orientation certificates, as well as others.  All of this requires experience, research and careful consideration;
• Interaction with Other Institutions – Being an island to itself is no longer enough.  Most Bible Colleges are associated with a single Christian denomination, fellowship or church.  We have to find ways to be part of a larger community.  We can start by helping students and new converts find a local church that meets their needs, either by applying principles or by making suggestions;
• Accreditation – As an independent organization we have to measure up to accepted standards in order to be on a level playing field with other institutions.  The college where the original material for this site was created dropped its accreditation when secular constraints were placed on it.
• Administrative Record Keeping – More than a clerical functionality the school has to look beyond it’s own programs and standards in order to review and approve substitutions such as credits transferred from other institutions;
• Virtual Presence – Having a building to operate from, often referred to as ‘brick and mortar’, is no longer necessary for growing organizations.  One of the few good things come out of the COVID lock downs is improved technology and increased capacity to operate an organization from many locations rather than just one;
• Privacy Protections – Acting responsibly in the Internet Age is vital to accomplishing the Lord’s work here;

So, can we meet the demands and become a Bible College?

Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. Psalm 127:1

I believe that the Lord is in this ministry and in the goals that are being set for it. Therefore I know we can do it.  As far as technology is concerned trust me when I say, it’s covered, though more hands will make the work go faster.  As for the rest, He will provide and as He does His will will become even clearer.

What’s next?  Version 3.0 of the website has been in the works for many months and will be completed as planned, solidifying the platform as a multilingual site.  Version 4.0 will create a platform for the Bible College.  Other features will be planned and added over time.

And after that…

I think we’ll have the makings of a research school, bringing together individuals who have learned and honed Biblical scholarship skills.  When brought together with the goal of resolving some longstanding questions in Bible doctrine there’s a great deal that we can accomplish.  As collaborative efforts there are many things that can create, some of which are already around in germ seed form.  More on that later.