Strengthening local churches through biblical training

Across the world, God is growing His church, but in many places, pastors and church leaders have little or no access to formal biblical training.

That reality is what makes Bible Training Centre for Pastors (BTCP) such a strategic ministry opportunity.

BTCP exists to equip pastors and church leaders around the world through practical, biblical training grounded in the Word of God. Its model is simple but powerful:

• Rooted in the Word of God
• Designed for local church ministry
• Built around a structured, multi-course curriculum
• Created to be reproducible for long-term impact
• Centered on discipleship through in-person training

As the global church continues to expand, theological education remains inaccessible in many regions. BTCP helps bridge that gap by bringing Bible-based training directly to local leaders so they can better shepherd churches, plant new works, and train others.

A Story from Honduras

One example of this impact can be seen in Honduras.

When Dr. John David Smith invited Dr. Thom South, pastor of Eastside Baptist Church in Conway, Arkansas, to consider serving as a BTCP trainer, Dr. South saw an opportunity that aligned with two of his passions: missions and teaching.

In January 2023, he traveled to Honduras alongside Denis Lopez, a ChangeMaker in Honduras, for an exploratory and recruiting trip. Together, they met with pastors in multiple locations and invited them into the training. The work required flexibility and commitment.

“At first, we made monthly trips because the pastors had no computers. Then we realized they could use their phones for the online portion for the training,” Dr. South explained.

Many pastors had to sacrifice significantly just to participate. Some could only attend by taking time off work. As is common in ministry training, not everyone was able to continue.

“We started with around eighteen pastors,” Dr. South shared. “Like always, numbers trickle off.”

But those who remained became deeply invested. Today, six pastors continue faithfully in the program.

BTCP’s model includes ten sessions built around ten training manuals. Once each manual is introduced in person, participants continue working through the material together during weekly Zoom meetings. Dr. South’s group currently meets for six hours every Friday and is on track to complete the program within three years, with graduation planned for October.

And the investment is multiplying.

“Those who are trained will be able to go train the other guys who couldn’t make it to the training,” Dr. South said.

What has encouraged him most?

“These pastors are eating it up. They can’t get enough. Even through the language barrier they get it. They’ve had no formal biblical training at all. They have a solid foundation, but this training gives them readiness to plant and pastor churches and also train others.”

Expanding Partnerships Around the World

The work of BTCP is already extending across multiple regions through BMA Global partnerships. Current efforts include:

• Dr. Thom South training pastors in Honduras alongside ChangeMaker Denis Lopez
• Bro. Sidney Farmer of Hattiesburg, MS, serving in Guatemala alongside Regional Coordinator David Marroquin
• Local leaders leading training initiatives in Brazil and Cape Verde.
• Multiple BMA Global missionaries incorporating BTCP in countries like Romania and Papua New Guinea
• North American pastors and church planters using BTCP to equip and develop leaders within their local churches

Across Africa, there is growing excitement about the potential for this model. Tony Crocker, Regional Coordinator for Africa, shares:

“I envision a curriculum like BTCP being implemented throughout our BMA Global Africa associations across Sub-Saharan Africa where formal Bible and theological training centers are not easily accessible. That is why I am making it a priority in 2026–27 to organize five to six pastoral trainings in strategic locations where it is most needed.”

That vision is already becoming reality.

Tony Crocker, in coordination with Shadi Saad of Lebanon and Lewy Mersales of South Sudan/Uganda, has begun training 60 pastors through the tri-nations initiative for BMA Siala Musala (Uganda, DRC, and South Sudan), with plans to begin BTCP soon.

Additional training efforts are underway through Bro. Russell Threet of Ozark, AR, among pastors in the Mano River Union region, including Liberia, Sierra Leone, Gambia, and Ivory Coast. Soon, more training will begin in the Upper East region of Ghana and Burkina Faso with ChangeMaker Clement Abugre.

Could God Be Calling You?

One of the greatest needs right now is not a lack of leaders willing to learn; it is a lack of trainers willing to go.

Across the world, local leaders are asking for biblical training.

We are looking for pastors and lay leaders from our churches in the United States who would consider partnering with BMA Global as BTCP trainers.

The commitment is meaningful but manageable: approximately three trips per year over a three-year period while walking alongside a cohort of local pastors.

The goal is not dependency…it is multiplication.

The harvest is plentiful. We already have workers willing to go. They simply need someone to help equip them.

Would you prayerfully consider stepping into that role?

Learn More

If you are interested in becoming a BTCP trainer, we invite you to attend an upcoming training:

BTCP Trainer Orientation
July 31–August 1
BMA Global Office – Conway, Arkansas

Cost: $50 (includes training materials–you’ll leave with an armload of books and resources).

Come learn how God may use your gifts to strengthen pastors, equip churches, and multiply disciples around the world. Email heidi@bmaglobal.org to get started. Visit bibletraining.com to learn more about BTCP.