Accountability, hands-on training, life changing experience, academic credentials—all are integral parts of a unique one year learning experience called Master’s Commission. Master’s Commission programs are springing up all over the United States and the world. Developed by the Assembly of God, these programs allow people who have finished high school to spend one year of their life in full time ministry.

Toby Schneckloth, Director of Master’s Commission at Bellevue Christian Center (BCC), described Master’s Commission’s three fold ministry objectives: Head, Heart and Hands. The Head is academics. At BCC, students choose between two options Berean College correspondence courses which are not accredited and cannot be used towards a college degree or North Central Bible College courses taken through the accredited BCC Learning Center which can be used towards a college degree. Upon completion either option allows students to test for their Certified Minister's Credential in the Assemblies of God, the first level of pastoral credentialing.

The Heart is a student’s walk with the Lord. Toby shared that the greatest benefit for students of Master’s Commission is the enhancement of their daily walk with the Lord. That comes about through personal ministry from the staff of Master’s Commission to the students themselves. Student’s are encouraged to deepen their walk through prayer, Bible study and ministry. Accountability is the key that makes this program work. Students are not allowed to slack off or ignore issues they need to deal with. Individualized attention allows them to focus on their particular spiritual needs from wrong attitudes to problems with relationships. As they grow from the ministry they receive, they in turn focus on ministering to others, the Hands.

Students are exposed to all types of ministry. In the course of their year they will do the work of an evangelist, a missionary, a pastor and, above all, a servant. The Hands portion of the program takes them all over the country ministering to people in all types of situations. The strong focus on ministry to others helps students develop a mind set that continues with them whether they choose to begin work in the ministry, go on to Bible college to finish a four year degree and then go into ministry, or pursue a secular career. Ministering the love of Jesus to others will always be a high priority in their lives.

A typical Master’s Commission program will cost between $3000 and $5,500 a year depending on the tuition costs for the academic option chosen. This is usually a one year program, but occasionally some students may be asked to continue for a second year. A high school degree is required and no one younger than 17 is admitted to the program. The program is open to anyone willing to make the commitment of time and money. However, your life is not your own and no one should enter the program who has outside commitments or responsibilities.

Homeschooling was new to Toby, so at first he was unsure how BCC would handle a homeschool graduate. Currently they only ask that a student be a high school graduate with diploma. If your child has accomplished a typical college prep course of study, they should have no trouble being accepted into a Master’s Commission program. As with most colleges, Master’s Commission wants to ensure that students will be able to accomplish the various portions of the program. Once you are accepted into Master’s Commission there is no further admission requirements for enrolling in the academic courses. This program is so much more than academics. When selecting students, their willingness to learn, to be accountable, and to do whatever’s needed to succeed are stressed.

An amazing transformation occurs over the course of one year to the green, awkward kids that begin this program. They become poised, confidant ministers of the love of Jesus. Toby shared that his own experience in Master’s Commission changed his life. Daily being held accountable to press in on the sin in his life, forced to see bad attitudes for what they were, and learning about the kinds of relationships God wants us to have, made it possible for him to make the good decisions that have allowed him to enjoy a happy marriage with the woman God planned for him, the position as Director of the Master’s Commission program at BCC, and a brand new baby. As he has been blessed, so he continues to bless in the Master’s Commission tradition.

For more information about Master’s Commission programs in your area, please contact your local Assembly of God church or Bible college. Information can also be found at the website of the Master's Commission International Network (MCIN). www.mcin.org. Not all programs are affiliated with MCIN. You may also want to use the Metacrawler search engine at www.metacrawler.com using the search terms master’s and commission. The BCC Master’s Commission web page can be found at www.neonramp.com/bcc/ministries/mc.html .