ORLANDO, Fla., — The Executive Presbytery of the Assemblies of God USA has approved Global Church Divinity School (GCDS), an early pioneer in online divinity studies and ministry preparation, as a Church-Based Bible Institute for training future Assemblies of God (AG) ministers.
Part of the Global Church Network (GCN), the largest pastors network in the world, GCDS offers more than 200 interactive courses taught by renowned Christian leaders. Over the last two years, the GCDS team selected highly qualified AG pastors, leaders and professors to teach 25 required courses via video recordings. The specialized, private AG Training Track includes 365 lectures, more than 4,600 pages of edited transcripts and automated testing. Although official credentialing occurs at the state level through district offices and networks, GCDS students can enroll now and begin required courses for certified, licensed and ordained levels.
“Dr. James O. Davis and I have been friends for 35 plus years. We are excited about this partnership that will equip future Assemblies of God pastors and ministers,” shared Dr. Terry Rayburn, District Superintendent of the Peninsular Florida AG. “We are already promoting GCDS in our district.”
Since its inception in 2001, GCN has focused on making ministry education accessible to busy professionals and those living far from traditional seminaries. The coalition of more than 2,750 denominations and 700,000 churches launched GCDS in response to a foreseen shortage of future ministers. Whether the Church is growing rapidly or experiencing slower growth, there are not enough pastors to fill existing pulpits or start new churches.
“Since 2018, I have been privileged to serve as co-chair of FINISH 2030 in the Global Church Network,” says Dr. Tommy Barnett, founder of Dream City Church, an AG megachurch in Phoenix, Arizona, and Dream Centers International, Los Angeles, California. “One of our strategic global goals is the Million Ministers Mandate, which seeks to equip at least one million young ministers by 2030. We are synergizing among every major denomination and fellowship in order to mobilize key leaders and help to finalize the Great Commission.”
GCDS is designed to support the Million Ministers Mandate and fill this enormous shortage of needed ministers (pastors, evangelists, youth pastors, church planters) to fulfill the Great Commission. Tens of thousands of ministers have already been equipped worldwide through GCDS.
“In the future, who you study with will be more important than where you studied,” asserts founder of the GCN and GCDS, Dr. James O. Davis, who has been an AG minister for over 39 years. “Distance died when the Internet was born. By 2030, most classes and courses will be available online only. For GCDS, this means students can learn directly from the greatest teachers in the world, from anywhere in the world. It’s a powerful, cost-effective opportunity for the next generation of ministers.”
This new partnership will expand the reach of GCDS to more than 13,000 local AG churches in the United States.
“I believe every Assemblies of God Church should consider opening a GCDS campus,” said Rev. Terry Lamer, Senior Pastor of First Assembly of God in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. “Not only is it cost-effective, but we can educate young leaders for full-time ministry without them carrying a heavy debt load.”
To learn more about The Global Church Divinity School, visit https://gcds.tv/.
