Chuck Chapman GBS Testimony
My name is Chuck Chapman. I am thirty-four years old and I am a full-time student at God’s Bible School and College via their Aldersgate Distance Education Program, also known as the ADEP Program. I am currently working towards a Bachelor’s degree in Ministerial Education.
For the majority of my three years attending GBS, I have also worked a full time job ranging between thirty to forty plus hours a week. In addition to this, I have been a single parent to my daughter, Brianna; that is, until very recently when I was wed to my wonderful wife, Lisa. Finally, I am also very active in ministry, and I have elderly members of my family who count on me for help. Although I live within driving distance of the college, the ADEP program allows me the freedom that I need to fit my busy and sometimes hectic schedule.
A little better than three years ago amongst the hustle and bustle of my day to day life, I noticed a greater need, and longing, to take my walk with the Lord to the next level. However, with my schedule, checkered past and low income any chance of attending a Bible college seemed very vague. But the Lord gave me a sense of peace about the whole situation.
I started to ask around about local colleges, and it was here that I first heard about GBS. To be completely honest, the word on the streets was that “those guys were real old and traditional, and behind the times.” What I learned since attending GBS is that this could not be farther from the truth. In fact, GBS’s teaching is cutting edge and relevant for today’s Christian.
There are two reasons I refer to GBS’ curriculum and course requirements as cutting edge. First, prior to coming to GBS, in my short seven years of walking with the Lord, He has had me sit under some very renowned teachers of the Word. However, out of all of these wonderful men and women of God, no one has come even close to tackling the hard-hitting questions that make or break Christianity like GBS. The topics that GBS teaches its future leaders are relevant to today’s Christian to battle the wars within and outside the walls of the church, while never compromising the Word of God. The teachers and staff at GBS show the students how, within, we war with such enemies as situational ethics, and prosperity gospels. Then, the staff shows you how to combat such heresies. In regards to the rest of the world, GBS teaches us to combat such age old issues as evolution, atheism and all other false religions.
The second reason is that as an up and coming shepherd to God’s people, GBS is providing me with all the up to date tools that I need to be able to run or oversee every part of God’s Ministry today. Since my first year at college, I have been trained to create and promote my own website, Skype account, online bill pay, blog page, You-Tube account, and Power Point/Word presentations. All of these tools are essential in today’s growing technological infused ministry.
Therefore, it is my belief that GBS could hardly be considered behind the times. I believe that a more proper term would be to refer to them as cutting-edge. Unlike many organizations that side step the tough questions of Christianity, GBS trains their future leaders to dissect these issues and address them head on.
In contrast to the misconceptions about GBS I also heard from a trusted friend that their “doctrine was right on the money, they had a high level of accountability, and was one of the best colleges in all of America.” It was with these pieces of information that I knew there was no other school for me. However, I still had the issue of my income and past mistakes to deal with.
The second reason is that as an up and coming shepherd to God’s people, GBS is providing me with all the up to date tools that I need to be able to run or oversee every part of God’s Ministry today. Since my first year at college, I have been trained to create and promote my own website, Skype account, online bill pay, blog page, You-Tube account, and Power Point/Word presentations. All of these tools are essential in today’s growing technological infused ministry.
Therefore, it is my belief that GBS could hardly be considered behind the times. I believe that a more proper term would be to refer to them as cutting-edge. Unlike many organizations that side step the tough questions of Christianity, GBS trains their future leaders to dissect these issues and address them head on.
In contrast to the misconceptions about GBS I also heard from a trusted friend that their “doctrine was right on the money, they had a high level of accountability, and was one of the best colleges in all of America.” It was with these pieces of information that I knew there was no other school for me. However, I still had the issue of my income and past mistakes to deal with.
I have a rather checkered past, and before pursuing the Lord I was an alcoholic for fifteen years. It was during my darkest hour when all hope had faded that I cried out to Him from a jail cell and He showed up in a big way. He picked me up out of the train wreck of a life that I had created and put me onto the good path of righteousness. The Lord chose to heal me of my addictions and got me into a faith based residential program in order to get me the proper help that I needed. It was during this time that He revealed to me His purpose for my life. That purpose being the call to pastor.
My former choices were producing negative effects even before I graduated High School. I was actually kicked out of the normal High School and ended up graduating at the alternative High School. This was one of my concerns when applying to a top notch college, now that my life was in order. I also remember thinking, before dropping my application to GBS in the mail that “only smart and rich people go to college.” Once again, this was another misconception.
My misconception came from a childhood fact. When I was growing up only the elite or elect were the ones to even stand a chance of admittance into college. Back then, you either had to come from money or be very, very smart; I was neither. In addition, I was fearful that no one could make as many mistakes in life that I did and expect a wonderful opportunity like this. However, once again these thoughts were misconceptions, or else I would not be writing this testimony, and you would not be reading it. The times and the world we live in have changed, but God has not! And it was He who called me to this calling, and it was He who promised to provide the means and the way.
When I dropped my application into the mailbox I said a prayer to God reconfirming my commitment to serve Him, and reminding both of us that my life no longer was my own. In addition, I informed Him that I did not make enough money to go to college and I did not want to go into debt in order to go. Therefore, if He wanted me to preach then He “needed to get me in, and pay for the whole thing.” Although this was a rather humorous dialogue between God and me, there was a sense of absolute seriousness behind my statement. The problem staring me right in the eye, besides my past, and my lack of time was my lack of funds. It was here that the Lord told me to trust Him, and shortly thereafter, He sent a family member to turn me onto government assisted grants. Lo and behold, the government determined that, as a single parent I did not make enough to go to college and they have decided to pay for the whole thing. God is cool! It just goes to show that although there are many rulers, and politicians, there is only one King, and all the earth belongs to Him.
My misconception came from a childhood fact. When I was growing up only the elite or elect were the ones to even stand a chance of admittance into college. Back then, you either had to come from money or be very, very smart; I was neither. In addition, I was fearful that no one could make as many mistakes in life that I did and expect a wonderful opportunity like this. However, once again these thoughts were misconceptions, or else I would not be writing this testimony, and you would not be reading it. The times and the world we live in have changed, but God has not! And it was He who called me to this calling, and it was He who promised to provide the means and the way.
When I dropped my application into the mailbox I said a prayer to God reconfirming my commitment to serve Him, and reminding both of us that my life no longer was my own. In addition, I informed Him that I did not make enough money to go to college and I did not want to go into debt in order to go. Therefore, if He wanted me to preach then He “needed to get me in, and pay for the whole thing.” Although this was a rather humorous dialogue between God and me, there was a sense of absolute seriousness behind my statement. The problem staring me right in the eye, besides my past, and my lack of time was my lack of funds. It was here that the Lord told me to trust Him, and shortly thereafter, He sent a family member to turn me onto government assisted grants. Lo and behold, the government determined that, as a single parent I did not make enough to go to college and they have decided to pay for the whole thing. God is cool! It just goes to show that although there are many rulers, and politicians, there is only one King, and all the earth belongs to Him.
Needless to say, God also got me into GBS and the process could not have gone any smoother. At the risk of sounding like a paid consumer, the wonderful staff of the Aldersgate Distance Education Program at GBS made the transition back to school so easy for me. They were able to answer all of my questions, and for a guy who barely graduated High School, there were a lot. In addition, they also informed me on what to expect and where to go to acquire my school books for reasonable prices. The ADEP staff also informed me what classes I would need to take in order to accomplish everything that God had revealed to me for my future.
A few of my favorite things about the classes themselves are that the online classes at God’s Bible School and College are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. This allows me to access my classroom and do my classes when my schedule allows. In addition, the classes are designed in such a way that anyone who is willing to put in the necessary commitment could excel in them. During my three and a half years of college I have made all A’s and two B’s.
A few of my favorite things about the classes themselves are that the online classes at God’s Bible School and College are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. This allows me to access my classroom and do my classes when my schedule allows. In addition, the classes are designed in such a way that anyone who is willing to put in the necessary commitment could excel in them. During my three and a half years of college I have made all A’s and two B’s.
Another noteworthy thing is that the online classes provide the student with videos from the actual classes held on campus. Therefore, the student is receiving the same classes as the campus students. Personally, this makes me feel like I am a part of the one hundred plus years of tradition that GBS has established within the Kingdom of God.
One of the favorite things that I enjoy is the block or blended sessions that the college offers. This is where you take the majority of the class online; however, there are a few days where you have the opportunity to attend actual classes on campus. The school provides temporary lodging and meals to those who need it. Since I live within driving distance of the college I do not need this. I am usually able to work around my schedule and attend these classes. I enjoy the one on one time with the teacher and the camaraderie with the other students.
Although I enjoy the blended classes, my absolute favorite thing about the online classes is the relationships that I am developing through them. During the course of a semester we have multiple discussion boards where we are able to interact about relevant topics in Christianity with other students from all over the globe. I have made friends with people in China and Haiti. Closer to home, I now have good friends in Georgia, Wisconsin and Texas, just to name a few. This part of the online classes is of the utmost importance to me. It is here that I am able to fulfill my desire to dive deeper into Christianity, and hang out with like-minded people, with similar schedules, heading in a like-minded direction. I have developed friendships here that would have formerly been impossible, and I believe that many of these friendships will last a lifetime.
Finally, I am grateful for the teaching and mentoring that the program provides for me. Due to my checkered past, I must be continually growing in grace. To me, my walk is a matter of life and death. If I stop learning, I stop living. Therefore, to be able to sit under such intelligent, informed men and women of God such as the GBS teachers is priceless. I also have instant email or phone access to all of my teachers. This provides me with the kind of one on one teaching and mentoring that I need as a follower of Christ.
I am able to receive sufficient feedback on my assignments and emails from these men and women. In addition, they are always ready to provide accountability, mentoring and constructive criticism. The men and women of GBS and I have developed very meaningful relationships that are built on trust and mutual respect. I am very blessed to have these kinds of caring individuals in my life.
In conclusion, I cannot say enough positive things about The Aldersgate Distance Education Program at God’s Bible School and College. The ADEP Program is concerned with my spiritual development, maturity, and future in ministry. They are more than just a school to me; to me, they are family. The ADEP Program is daily equipping me to be the man of God that He has called me to be, and it is accomplishing this around my family’s needs and schedule, in addition to the work that the Lord is currently entrusting to me. I am proud and consider it to be of the utmost honor to be a student at God’s Bible School and College.
One of the favorite things that I enjoy is the block or blended sessions that the college offers. This is where you take the majority of the class online; however, there are a few days where you have the opportunity to attend actual classes on campus. The school provides temporary lodging and meals to those who need it. Since I live within driving distance of the college I do not need this. I am usually able to work around my schedule and attend these classes. I enjoy the one on one time with the teacher and the camaraderie with the other students.
Although I enjoy the blended classes, my absolute favorite thing about the online classes is the relationships that I am developing through them. During the course of a semester we have multiple discussion boards where we are able to interact about relevant topics in Christianity with other students from all over the globe. I have made friends with people in China and Haiti. Closer to home, I now have good friends in Georgia, Wisconsin and Texas, just to name a few. This part of the online classes is of the utmost importance to me. It is here that I am able to fulfill my desire to dive deeper into Christianity, and hang out with like-minded people, with similar schedules, heading in a like-minded direction. I have developed friendships here that would have formerly been impossible, and I believe that many of these friendships will last a lifetime.
Finally, I am grateful for the teaching and mentoring that the program provides for me. Due to my checkered past, I must be continually growing in grace. To me, my walk is a matter of life and death. If I stop learning, I stop living. Therefore, to be able to sit under such intelligent, informed men and women of God such as the GBS teachers is priceless. I also have instant email or phone access to all of my teachers. This provides me with the kind of one on one teaching and mentoring that I need as a follower of Christ.
I am able to receive sufficient feedback on my assignments and emails from these men and women. In addition, they are always ready to provide accountability, mentoring and constructive criticism. The men and women of GBS and I have developed very meaningful relationships that are built on trust and mutual respect. I am very blessed to have these kinds of caring individuals in my life.
In conclusion, I cannot say enough positive things about The Aldersgate Distance Education Program at God’s Bible School and College. The ADEP Program is concerned with my spiritual development, maturity, and future in ministry. They are more than just a school to me; to me, they are family. The ADEP Program is daily equipping me to be the man of God that He has called me to be, and it is accomplishing this around my family’s needs and schedule, in addition to the work that the Lord is currently entrusting to me. I am proud and consider it to be of the utmost honor to be a student at God’s Bible School and College.