“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” — 2 Timothy 2:15

The North Grand River Baptist Association is committed to helping men who are called to pastoral ministry prepare to faithfully serve Christ and His churches. We recognize that God has been calling men from our churches to the work of ministry, yet many who sense that call do not always have the opportunity or resources to receive formal ministry training.

The NGR Bible Institute was established to help meet that need by providing accessible, practical, and biblically grounded training for men preparing for ministry. The program began under the leadership of Bro. Keith Corrick, with classes offered in both Trenton and Chillicothe. Following his departure, pastors Ron McPherson, Cory Majors, and Jason Hoke had continued leading and teaching these courses. Currently, the class is led by Pastor Jason Hoke. 

The Trenton class has completed Biblical Interpretation and Old Testament Survey and is currently working through New Testament Survey. Future courses will include Bible Doctrine, Church History, Missions/Evangelism/Discipleship, Personal Spiritual Formation, and other areas of ministry preparation. The curriculum is based on courses developed by the Bible Training Centre for Pastors.

Many of the men participating in the NGR Bible Institute are bi-vocational, working full-time jobs outside the local church while also preaching, serving their churches, and preparing for ministry. They gather every other Thursday night with a desire to grow in their knowledge of Scripture and develop the skills needed for preaching and pastoral ministry.

Through biblical teaching, discussion, and fellowship, these men are encouraged to sharpen one another in both doctrine and practice as they prepare to serve God's churches.

A Call to Ministry Is a Call to Prepare

We invite you to pray for the men participating in the NGR Bible Institute as they seek to honor God and faithfully serve His churches in the North Grand River Baptist Association and beyond.

If you know a man who believes God may be calling him to pastoral ministry, encourage him to take the next step in preparing for that calling. A call to ministry is a call to prepare.