Westminster seminarians serve as instructors

USA (MNN/CBI) — Seminary students are putting feet on their studies.

Crossroad Bible Institute (CBI) offers discipleship courses for prisoners internationally and throughout the U.S. At Westminster Seminary California, students learn how to disciple others by correcting CBI lessons.

Dr. Dennis Johnson is a professor of practical theology at Westminster, and he also facilitates the CBI program. Students in his Ministry of Discipleship course spend a semester serving as CBI instructors.

Each week, the seminarians correct lessons and return them to CBI students along with letters of encouragement. Copies of the materials are also given to Johnson for class evaluation.

Both sets of students–those studying at Westminster and those in prison–are growing through the experience.

"As I review copies of the lessons and letters that my students are returning to their CBI students, I can see how they are growing in their ability to encourage and coach brothers and sisters toward a fuller, deeper knowledge of Christ," remarks Johnson.

Johnson and CBI president, Dr. David Schuringa, hope students will walk away from the experience with a lifelong appreciation for the importance of prison ministry.

"Having taught at the seminary level for twelve years, I am thrilled to see seminary students involved in prison ministry," says Schuringa.

Pray that students will grow in their ability to disciple others as they become pastors, mentors, and teachers. Pray that they will bring a passion for the incarcerated to churches they will someday lead.

Over the weekend, some 38 graduates walked across the stage as Westminster's Class of 2013. They're joining over 900 alumni who are serving as pastors, teachers, missionaries, scholars, and leaders.

Pray for clear direction as graduates head into their area of calling.