Residential Studies — Sunset International Bible Institute (SIBI)

Since 1962 Sunset International Bible Institute has worked to strengthen and expand the body of Christ by producing well-equipped teachers, preachers, and missionaries to share the Gospel across the United States and around the world. SIBI, which started as the Latin American Bible School and was renamed West Texas Bible School and later Sunset School of Preaching, is a first-of-its-kind, tuition-free, specialized ministry training school.

Today our training programs extend from mission experiences to courses covering the Bible and remain tuition-free to help our graduates avoid accumulating unnecessary debts. We also offer post-graduate studies that will further enhance our students’ preparedness for entering into ministry.

Our students come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences and go on to be biblically sound preachers and teachers, innovative missionaries and church planters, well-grounded youth ministers and Deaf missionaries, and effective citizens of the Kingdom of God. Our students strive to meet the needs of the body of Christ around the world.

Let us help you to become better equipped for worldwide ministry and to find your place in the Kingdom.

PROGRAMS OFFERED

Bachelor of Biblical Studies

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Online Studies

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Master and Doctoral Studies

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Deaf Ministry Training

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Adventures in Missions

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Senior Adventures in Ministry

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INTERNSHIPS

Those who begin ministry training do so with varying amounts of experience. Many come to SIBI with little, if any, practical training. The classroom experience provides knowledge, but only daily work in actual ministry situations puts knowledge into practice and enhances the minister's maturity. SIBI strongly believes additional training, practice, and mentoring from mature ministers and church leaders is important for those leaving our halls.

The internship program places SIBI graduates in biblically centered, spiritually focused congregations that have a heart for mentoring new ministers to greater levels of ministerial skills and maturity. The intern works under the oversight of a minister who has a broad and healthy ministry history. During the one- to two-year internship, the mentor guides the intern through a wide variety of educational and experiential ministry settings. When the internship is completed, the intern is better prepared to serve the church as a preacher, teacher, evangelist, and spiritual encourager.

A post-graduate internship should not be shorter than 12 months or longer than 24 months.

DURATION OF INTERNSHIP

2+1 COMMITMENT

Incoming students are encouraged to speak with their supporters about supporting them through both the two-year residential program and a one-year intern program. SIBI believes that this combination is an excellent recipe for ministry success.

SUMMER INTERNSHIP

SIBI is interested in helping our first-year students get some hands-on ministering experience by offering them a summer internship between their two years of study. Our students, having completed their first year of study, would benefit greatly from some mentoring and focused time on the field, enhancing their overall educational experience. SIBI students are out of school from late May until early August and are available for six- to eight-week internships in June and July.

Students may need some time to visit with family or supporters, shortly before or after their internship. Therefore, each summer internship will be adjusted on a case-by-case basis. If a congregation is interested in hosting a summer intern and mentoring and encouraging a minister in training, they can contact Britton Pruitt.

BRITTON PRUITT
Internships

WHAT CONGREGATIONS ARE SAYING ABOUT INTERNSHIPS

"The intern we had for the summer was a perfect fit. Our intern modeled a growing faith and a pursuit of Jesus for our students, youth minister, congregation, and for me. The intern’s pleasant attitude, a servant’s heart, and a wacky sense of humor were perfect."

- Bastrop Church of Christ, Bastrop, TX

"Our intern had an impact on our kids. We enjoyed having him here."

- Memphis Church of Christ, Memphis, TX

"Tom and Debby were a blessing from the day they arrived in Salina till the time of their sorrowful departure back to school in Lubbock, TX. Their enthusiasm for the Lord was so inspiring. We could not have asked for better interns to come and serve with us for the summer."

- Salina Church of Christ, Salina, KS