Pacific Islands Bible College

A few days ago I posted what Steve Stinnette wrote about the Micronesian context. Here is some more of what he has put together to describe the mission of the college. This is still a rough draft but Steve has done an exceptional job in getting this down in writing.

In a tumultuous 2009 world, one in which the biggest changes in world economies has been seen, and in unprecedented, surprising world politics, Pacific Islands Bible College remains one of the most unique colleges in our society. It remains a solid core of Christian strength on a geographical front line being tested daily, and tested with huge international implications.

The college is an accredited American school situated very much off shore from the US mainland, educating students in Micronesia, the Pacific Rim and a larger global community, with locations on Guam, Chuuk, Palau and Yap. In an era where Christianity itself is being challenged, probably as never before in modern history, Pacific Islands Bible College sits at the doorway of the largest non-Christian countries of the world. The largest Muslim country in the world – Indonesia – is literally next door. What PIBC has proposed to do, and has indeed has done since 1976, is spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to help fulfill the Great Commission. What is needed now is to bolster the college’s resources, provide space for increased enrollment for students yearning to come to the college, and for the college to be able to hire more faculty for the new students who will appear at the doors of the campuses. The college literally does not have enough room for students who desire an education, which is Christ-centered, in their communities. The different nations of the globe need the students, and they will welcome them; the only thing left to do is to educate the hundreds who will come, growing into the cumulative thousands who will come, and let them help change societies for the good…and for Christ.

The college was founded in 1976 by Liebenzell Mission with the evangelical churches it planted in Micronesia, designed to prepare Micronesian citizens for leadership in the church. Today the college, which needs to provide more classroom space for a population of over 200 students, could grow to 400 immediately, reaching men and women who will come from educationally challenged populations. Over 95% of the students have Pell Grants, the kind of financial aid reserved for the neediest of students. Many of the staff themselves are missionaries from the United States and Germany.

The system works; students, who graduate with a BA or AA degree, certificate, or diploma in Bible, return to their islands to serve as pastors, school teachers, government workers or business people. Some will go on to pursue graduate education on the US mainland, at the PIBC seminary, or elsewhere in Asia. The government of Chuuk State has offered guaranteed employment to any PIBC graduate in its education system owing to so few citizens of the region having college degrees. PIBC graduates take on not only Christian leadership in churches, but in schools, government offices and business, following graduation. This could not be done if the college itself were not exceptional in quality with outstanding teachers, and a dedicated administration led by President Dr Dave Owen.

So, the immediate opportunity is to address the applicants who want to come to the college at all the sites. With more teachers and expanded facilities, PIBC could easily increase the number of students, again increasing both its local and global influence.

What are the needs; moreover, what are the great opportunities? They are:

1. Increase student scholarships and living expenses. For Micronesian students, the US Pell Grants cover 80% of their tuition, room and board. Many still lack funds to cover the remaining 20%, flights from home to school and general living expenses. Non-Micronesian students generally have no scholarship help. Many are in need of a full tuition scholarship.

2. New Buildings. The Guam campus was originally built for 35 boarding students. Now there are more than 60 boarding students and over 100 total students. The need is for a new 2 story classroom building and library building. This would mean current classrooms and the library could be converted into more dormitory space. All conversions would allow space to house 80 additional students, a critical issue in a total PIBC educational process.

3. The Library Project. PIBC maintains theological libraries on all five of its sites. Each of these libraries functions as the only theological library in their areas and provides important resources for pastors and teachers as well as students. Except for the Guam library, these are new libraries with a great need for books and electronic resources. PIBC’s goal is to provide them with all resources for basic theological work.

4. The Chuuk Campus Dormitory and Classroom Renovation Project. The 60 plus students on the Tol, Chuuk campus are crammed into a facility that was built over 20 years ago for about 40 students. All the buildings are in a state of disrepair from the 20 plus years of hard use. New renovations would have an immediate and positive impact.

5. Funding for Hiring New Bridge Program and Seminary Faculty and Staff. This will enable us to initiate a program called the Bridge Program, which will allow under-qualified Micronesian students to compete at the college level; many now graduate from the public high schools with an English comprehension level on a 3rd to 7th grade level, PIBC needs to hire an additional 6 TESL faculty and 2 administrative staff. As well, the seminary needs to hire 2 faculty and 2 administrative staff to meet growing needs for the new seminary. Clearly more leaders could be developed if these areas were addressed and funded.

6. Support for Indigenous Staff and Faculty. It is critical that PIBC continue to develop local, especially Micronesian, staff and faculty. However, with the high poverty rate in Micronesia, it is almost impossible for faculty and staff to raise their own funds for missionary support as western missionaries are able to do. It is very important to have faculty and staff who are Micronesian, and there are qualified Micronesians for these positions; PIBC lacks enough funds to pay them.

7. Housing for Faculty and Staff. Currently, each faculty and staff are responsible for finding their own housing. New faculty and staff, especially those visiting for a shorter period of time, would need places to live while they work for PIBC.

8. Operating funds. PIBC serves an area that has some of the lowest incomes in the world. The college keeps tuition, room and board coast as low as possible for all students. At only $8,500 per year, we have one of the lowest costs that is possible for any American accredited college. Even with the 60% of staff and faculty who serve as missionaries with their own support, PIBC struggles to meet its own financial obligations. Though God has been gracious to supply needs, often maintenance and other problems go unmet because of a lack of finances.

The good and encouraging news is that PIBC receives over $500,000 each year in gifts in kind and in cash contributions. By far, the gifts in kind drive the school through gifts of materials, equipment and then the time of labor from volunteers to make things happen in construction and in the classroom. What is needed is an infusion, and then a continuing stream of financial support to the college to achieve even greater things for God’s kingdom in Micronesia and the world. We have proved we can do it, through God’s strength; what we now propose to do is more with His blessings and through faith in Him.

We propose to seek the advice and direction of friends through a Study and Assessment to see if we can realize $5,000,000 or more over the next 5-7 years, from 2009 through 2014- 2016 in cash gifts, pledges and contributions from an ever expanding base. We will conduct this assessment and then report back to all of those involved our findings, the recommendations made as a result of the Study, and then the Board’s plans.