Thank you for taking some time to become familiar with the ministry of The Bethlehem Institute for Leadership Development (TBI)!

For over one hundred and thirty-five years Bethlehem Baptist Church has been committed to training and sending its people into the ministry of God’s Word as pastors, missionaries and Christian workers of all kinds. During the 80’s and 90’s we expressed that commitment through a lay institute and training center, an apprenticeship program for ministerial candidates and a nurture program for missionary candidates. In 1998 we created TBI to strengthen and continue our leadership development ministries. And now 2007 we believe God is helping us to refine and strengthen even more.

What a delight it has been to watch people grow in their passion for Christ through this training and now to see them spreading this passion by serving as missionaries among the unreached peoples, as urban ministers among the poor of the inner city, as World Christian pastors heralding God’s Word, as nationals returning to their countries in key leadership positions, and as motivated lay people serving strategically in their local churches and communities. We feel more called to this ministry of equipping and mentoring leaders than ever before.

We hope that as you browse our website you will get a good picture of what TBI is all about and the wide variety of ways it could be used to enrich your current ministry or to equip you for something you are only beginning to dare to dream about. We believe that we are living in perhaps the most exciting time in the history of the church as the gospel of the Kingdom penetrates the final frontiers. We all have vital roles to play in the unfolding of God’s global purpose, whether it’s in our own church and neighborhood or among the unreached peoples of the world.

May the Lord bless you as you ponder how He may want to prepare you for the next chapter of your life and ministry.

In His mercy and joy,

Tom Steller
TBI Dean and Bethlehem's Pastor for Leadership Development