Embedded in the Church; Engaged with the Community
Faith Bible Seminary has chosen a unique cohort model for training our M.Div. students for pastoral ministry. In our cohort model, our students enter the program every three years and journey through the three-year M.Div. together with a group of fellow students. These M.Div. students intern either at Faith Church in Lafayette, or at their home church. They are embedded in the church and engage with the community—graduating debt-free with three years of seminary academic training and three years of practical pastoral ministry experience.
The 2019-2022 M.Div. cohort includes 38 students with 31 from the US and 2 from Brazil, 1 from Cuba, 1 from Columbia, 1 from Nigeria, 1 from the Dominican Republic, and 1 from Myanmar. Pictured to the left are the FBS 2019-2022 M.Div. student-interns who are serving at Faith Church.
In September, we introduced you to one of our incoming students, Naybay Dah, from Myanmar. At that time, Naybay shared his thoughts, expectations, and anticipations as he was about to begin his M.Div. training. We thought it would be instructive and encouraging to revisit Naybay’s experience now that he’s nearing the completion of his first year of M.Div. training.
Gospel-Centered Pastoral Training
Back in September, 2019, Naybay shared with us that he was originally from Burma/Myanmar and that he came to the US with his family in 2007 as a refugee, and settled in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Pictured to the Right: Naybay, his parents, and his siblings.) Naybay also shared his 
motivation for enrolling in the M.Div. at FBS. “I am looking forward to learn and grow in my spiritual walk with the Lord by being involved at Faith Church, and in various ministries. By doing these practical ministries, I know that I will be learning to be a servant leader.” Now that Naybay has been implanted in the M.Div. program for a year, let’s hear how his expectations compare to the reality of FBS seminary pastoral training.
FBS: “Naybay, so far, what have been some of the most rewarding and beneficial aspects of your M.Div. training at FBS?”
ND: “First and foremost, I am very thankful to God, to FBS, and to Faith Church for giving me this great once-in-a- lifetime opportunity to study and do ministry. I am blessed to be working under Pastor Aaron Birk in the Purdue Bible Fellowship International Ministry. I am greatly benefitted by this ministry where I get to practice what I’ve been learning in class. Also, I get an opportunity to share the gospel with the Chinese students on Sunday morning—one-on-one English conversation. There are times where it is very challenging with school and life, but it is rewarding to know that I get to do this and prepare for my future ministry for God.”
FBS: “What has been most surprising about your time at FBS so far, Naybay? Maybe something you didn’t anticipate?”
ND: “I knew and anticipated that the work load was going to be heavy. However, what surprises me the most is that FBS professors not only care about my studies, but my spiritual life as well. It is very encouraging to see their compassion for the Lord and for the students. I am very grateful that they are very understanding and helpful in my studies here at FBS. They are always available and easy to reach out to whenever I am struggling or have questions.”
FBS: “The M.Div. program connects you with many ministries and pastors at Faith Church, however, it also connects you specifically with a particular pastor and ministry. What Faith Church pastor are you working with, in what ministries, and how is this equipping you?”
ND: “The M.Div. program here at FBS is unlike any other seminaries in the world. As I mentioned, I have a great opportunity working under Pastor Aaron Birk here at Faith Church in the Purdue Bible Fellowship International Ministry. Pastor Birk is not only my overseeing pastor, but a great mentor to me as well. He gives me an opportunity to teach some of the lessons during Friday nights at PBFi. By this, I am being equipped and growing to teach and handle the Word of God with care and precision.”
FBS: “Naybay, you’ve taken a number of classes already. Which ones have been most impactful? Are there any particular truths that have most impacted your life and ministry?”
ND: “So far, all the classes here at FBS are greatly impactful. Greek and Hebrew are very hard, and it takes lots of time to learn. However, I see the benefits of knowing the original languages of the Bible in my future ministry. I am convinced that Greek and Hebrew are not only a good discipline for me personally in my academic career here at FBS, but I also see the benefits that will bring to my congregation in my future ministry.”
FBS: “The FBS M.Div. also connects you with a cohort of fellow M.Div. students, all training together for pastoral ministry. How are your relationships with your fellow students helping you to grow in your Christian life? How are they helping you to prepare for pastoral ministry?”
ND: “I am very glad and blessed to have such wonderful M.Div. classmates. We all come from different backgrounds, race, countries, and so on. However, knowing that we are all brothers in Christ Jesus and we are all in this great endeavor studying to be pastors is such a delight to see and experience. When Dr. Aucoin brought all of the interns and students together to share our testimonies and stories, I was greatly encouraged by their stories on how God has changed their lives and is calling them into the ministry. Seeing their love for God and commitment to their studies of God’s Word has helped me to pursue God and prepare for pastoral ministry.”
FBS: “In what ways are your views on pastoral ministry and the local church changing and developing as a result of your M.Div. training?”
ND: “As I get the opportunities and privilege to sit in on the pastors’ meeting and observing their lives and work for the Lord, I see that without God empowering and strengthening them; there is no way in man’s effort alone that they could do what they do. That has changed my views on pastoral ministry and the local church. Pastoral ministry is not man-centered, but God-centered ministry. The local church is not man-centered but God-centered, where all of God’s people come to honor and praise and worship God; not man, nor pastors. Both the pastoral ministry and the local church need daily dependence on God. The moment that we get our sight out of looking to God, the pastoral ministry and the local church will sink like Peter when he sinks down when he gets his eyes off of Christ (Matt. 14:29-30).”
FBS: “Naybay, how would you like to use your training when your graduate? Have your thoughts about your future ministry changed at all since you before you entered FBS?”
ND: “Upon graduation from my training here at FBS, my long-term plan is to plant a church back in Indianapolis. This desire has been planted in my heart by God ever since I got saved. I see that young Burmese people are turning their backs on God. As a result, the community is experiencing lots of young Burmese people getting involved in gangs, robbing, etc. I see the need of gospel in their lives. The gospel is what transforms the heart of man inside out to be a new creation in Christ Jesus.”
A Word from Our FBS President and M.Div. Chair, Dr. Brent Aucoin
The FBS model for training pastoral students is unique in comparison to traditional seminaries. 
Our M.Div. graduates are equipped with solid academics and real-world pastoral experience during their training. Upon graduation, they are free from encumbering debt and burnt-out families.
FBS is looking for ministry partners for those who want to see this model continue to equip pastors in this way. Would you consider being a giving partner as part of your stewardship goals? Specifically FBS is looking for partnering donors who can commit an amount of $25.00-$50.00 (or more) per month. I would be delighted to talk with you about this personally. Please email me at baucoin@faithlafayette.org. Or you can go online and set up monthly donations at the following link.
Also, if your heart lies more with training more Biblical Counselors through our MABC program you can give one time gifts to our MABC scholarship fund at the this link.
