History of HBC
Harvest Bible College was a dream birthed many years ago. We began with video classes from Kent College. Eventually, we moved to part video and part live teaching. In 2001, we finally reached a point of having all live teaching.
2002 marked the beginning of the full-time course. This is not merely for our district but is the National Bible College for the United Pentecostal Church of Great Britain and Ireland. The full-time school offers an onsite one-year intensive training programme with 3 terms, an optional second year course involving an internship, and a one-year distance learning programme.
Harvest Bible College is accredited with the British Accreditation Council and NCFE. They are also accredited by the Global Association of Theological Studies. The college is endorsed by the United Pentecostal Church International and the United Pentecostal Church of Great Britain and Ireland. It is also endorsed by the Board of Christian Education for Europe.
Purpose Statement
Harvest Bible College aims to prepare students for dynamic Christian living, and for apostolic ministry in the church and to a lost world, through intensive courses of study. The college provides the educational environment, instruction, resources, and experience needed by its graduates for effective lay and professional ministry and church related vocations. As such, our objectives as an institution are:
1. To help students gain a mastery of the content and meaning of the Bible.
2. To encourage in students an awareness of, and a complete surrender to, God’s will and calling.
3. To develop in students an intense concern for the salvation of people at home and abroad, and to help students acquire effective personal evangelism skills and an evangelistic lifestyle.
4. To cultivate in students the habits of obedience, prayer, Bible study and a devotional life as the foundation of all further ministry.
5. To help students acquire effective study methods and motivation for continued learning throughout life.
Doctrinal Statement
We believe...
1. In the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ and His virgin birth. (Luke 1:34-35; 1 Timothy 3:16)
2. In the propitiation of sin by grace through faith in the blood of Jesus Christ. (Romans 3:23-25; Ephesians 2:8-10)
3. In the inspiration and infallibility of the Holy Scriptures. (2 Timothy 3:16)
4. In the fullness of the Godhead being incarnated in Jesus Christ. (Colossians 2:9-10)
5. In repentance and contrition for sin. (Mark 1:15; Acts 2:38; 2 Corinthians 7:10)
6. In water baptism by immersion in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. (Acts 2:38-39; 8:12-16; 19:1-7; 22:16)
7. In the personal baptism of the Holy Spirit with the initial sign of speaking in tongues. (John 3:5-8; Mark 16:17; Acts 2:4; 10:44-48; 11:15-18; 19:1-7)
8. In the evangelisation of the unsaved. (Mark 16:15-18; Acts 1:8)
9. In the free moral will of humanity. (Isaiah 1:18-20; Titus 2:11-14; 2 Peter 3:9; Revelation 22:17)
10. In the maintenance of good works and holy living: sexual activity outside of Biblical marriage is unacceptable. (Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 12:14; Matthew 19:4-6; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4)
11. In a literal heaven with life everlasting for all true believers. (John 14:1-3; Revelation 21)
Philosophy
Harvest Bible College expects its students to accept the principle of ministry. We believe each student has a ministry in the Body of Christ. When a student enters Harvest Bible College, they are preparing for a lifetime of Christian service to Jesus Christ. We are committed to the pursuit of keeping the concept of ministry always before the student.
Systematic study, service and self-disciplined living in the name of Jesus Christ is fundamental to our students and the programme of the college. We see this as a means by which the student may learn obedience, humility, and grace. We believe these virtues are key traits that pave the way to a life of power with God and leadership among men. They are basic to our standards.
Harvest Bible College expects the student’s personal behaviour and attitude to be congruent with those of the college. Applicants indicate by their enrolment that they will contribute to the spiritual health of the student body as a whole. The principal reserves the right to terminate the enrolment of any student considered to be out of harmony with the goals, standards, and spirit of the college.
Harvest Bible College is committed to the pursuit of keeping the concept of ministry always before the student.