Stepping into the Sixteenth Year of Distance Education
The Seminary’s Distance Education Program (DEP) was founded in 1998 and is now entering into its sixteenth year. The vision of DEP is to equip lay Christians in theological education by evolving out of the traditional learning module where students must all meet at a fixed time and place into a modern method of learning that allows students more flexibility. Because DEP’s self-study program is driven by each individual student’s needs, each student can plan their own course schedule according to their individual aspirations and limitations.
DEP has become a very successful program over the years. It has popularized theological education by enabling more lay Christians to be theologically equipped, and it has provided the opportunity for some students to listen to God’s call to full- time ministry while studying in the program. During DEP’s sixteen years, 31 DEP students have resolved to take the path of consecration and switched to studying full time in the ministerial preparation program.
DEP is now offering 8 study programs, including 6 correspondence programs and 2 online programs. Besides targeting lay Christians, DEP has also launched “special training” ministries to serve communities with special needs and economic difficulties, providing them with theological education.
Learning Communities
DEP currently averages 310 students every quarter who come not only from Hong Kong but also overseas places, including Macau, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, United Kingdom, U.S.A., Canada, Australia, Ireland, East Africa, West Africa, and Israel.
DEP students come from all walks of life and occupations. Some begin the program with very little education, but by applying themselves in a systematic way they complete the Certificate Program in Biblical Studies and Diploma in Christian Studies progressively. Some begin the program with master degrees or doctoral degrees and may already be working as professionals. Some students commute between Hong Kong and Mainland China, travel overseas regularly for business trips, hold jobs with irregular working hours. While some students have disabilities, some may have familial obligations to care for the less able in their family. Nevertheless, through DEP these students can successfully complete theological training and be enabled to offer better service to God and men.
Students’ Sharing
From the start of the Certificate Program in Old Testament Studies until its completion, it took me a total of nine years. At first, I studied for my baby’s sake as I hoped that he/she would begin studying the Bible in my womb and keep growing with the help of God’s word. However, I could only complete one lesson during my pregnancy. After I had given birth to my son, I was always busy. Later, when I learned that my child had the symptoms of a slow language learner and that he was inexplicably sensitive to certain foods, I resigned from my nursing position to care for my child full time.
Although I had temporarily suspended my studies, God’s timing is most appropriate. The other day, a member of the DEP staff called me, prompting me to choose to continue with my studies even though four and a half years had passed. Because it is a correspondence course, I have full control over when and where I complete my courses. Whenever my son went to school, I would find the time I needed for the coursework. My son often saw me studying the Bible and accordingly, developed a keen interest in the Bible. I resolved to teach him all that I had learned.
The Bible study helps me to know God in greater depth. I enjoy solitude as I can be alone with God and listen to His voice. In studying the Old Testament, I was worried about whether I could understand the books of Major Prophets and Minor Prophets for fear that the scriptures might be too difficult for me to understand. However, God led me to experience his grace: Seek and you will find; knock and “the door will be opened”. Now, to my amazement, I have completed the Old Testament Studies program. With a heart full of excitement and expectancy, I will begin taking the Certificate Program in New Testament Studies.
Lee Sze-chung
This year’s graduate of the Certificate Program in Old Testament Studies,
a new student of the Certificate Program in New Testament Studies.
Nowadays, you can find all kinds of online theological courses and educational materials, however, these programs and sources of information are not systematic and mostly fragmentary. Taking the HKBTS’s Distance Education courses has enabled me to study the Bible systematically and in greater depth so that I can understand God’s will and teachings. I have already benefited a lot from the study.
Throughout the study process, God has spoken to me through the course assignments. Again and again, He has given me guidance coupled with admonishment and reproof. I find that exercising self-control is one of the most important things to learn to do. For me, focusing the attention on the course assignments on a regular basis is a great challenge. In addition to working a full time job, I also have to maintain a balance between my family responsibilities and Christian fellowship while engaging actively in Christian service.
I thank God for His supporting grace as He has led me to complete both the Diploma and Higher Diploma programs in Christian Studies one after another. There are eight other members taking the DEP program in our Chinese church in Dublin, Ireland. The study enables us to share amongst ourselves and apply the lessons we have learned. We can also work together to solve difficult problems. We are truly thankful for the opportunity to further our studies through this correspondence program which is available in Chinese even though we are half-way around the world. On behalf of our church, I express our gratitude to all of you for your service and persistence!
Wong Hoi-shan
Student of the Higher Diploma Program in Christian Studies.
Hoi-shan and two students from Ireland with their families visited the Seminary. Together we took a group photo.
The Tutors’ Team
DEP offers 54 courses for students to study every semester: 23 courses in New Testament and Old Testament Studies programs and 31 in diploma and higher diploma programs. Apart from the 5 subjects courses which have the Director of DEP serves as the tutor, 29 tutors are appointed to provide guidance to students on different subjects in the certificate and diploma programs.
Most of the tutors are Seminary alumni who are working as pastors, ministers, preachers, and missionaries serving in different churches or Christian organizations. We thank God for providing us with a team of tutors who are capable, dedicated, and who value distance education. These tutors mark students’ assignments and offer advice to students while fulfilling their own busy ministerial duties.
Sharing from the Tutors
Thank God for His grace to allow me to join the DEP family as a tutor in the New Testament Program upon the completion of my theological training at HKBTS. I have felt both nervous and excited! I feel nervous because I have been worried that my theological knowledge is inadequate and that I may make mistakes while marking students’ assignments. However, I am excited at such a blessing from God that I can pursue studying God’s word together with the students and share their learning and life experiences. What great grace it is!
I still fondly remember the days when I was a DEP student. Each time I studied or worked on my assignments, I received instructions and admonishment from the words of God. After turning in the assignment, I checked the mail box every day as I expectantly waited for the tutor’s remarks and comments. The most pleasant and joyful thing was to receive encouragements from the tutors! This past learning experience enables me to I understand my current students’ expectations. Therefore, I try to ensure that I mark students’ assignment as soon as possible and give my feedback to each student’s sharing from the depth of my heart. Every time I find them getting encouraged and edified by the word of God or getting excited about learning more about Christ our Lord, I thank God for them. Meanwhile, I remind myself to allow the word of God to take root in me!
To Pui Yuen-yee New tutor, Certificate Program in New Testament Studies
To be able to become a tutor of DEP is both a responsibility entrusted by God and also a precious gift from God. Over the course of being a tutor, I have experienced that in all things our Lord of abundance works for the good of those who love Him and who have been called according to His purpose.
In the twinkling of an eye, I have been a tutor for DEP for over two years. What impresses me most must be the seriousness and the honesty in both the studying and the sharing of a class of students from Mainland China. They turned in a thick pile of assignments, which truly made me feel their inner yearning to do well in their pastoral ministry and their eagerness to learn more as they realize their own inadequacies. I can see that God not only uses me as their help and support, but also tempers me and shapes my life through the marking process so that through their words, I can come to reflect and understand His will in a deeper, broader, and more three-dimensional way. I hope that I can help my students grow with what I have learned.
I have never thought that serving as a DEP tutor would demand that the relationship between the tutor and students be so close. Although we are weak and inadequate, God can establish these sons and daughters with His strength and abundance. Thank God for His leadership and may all the glory be to God!
Sin Tak-yin Tutor of “Christian Ethics”, Diploma in Christian Studies Program
Program Development
1. Devising and Revising the Curricula
Besides recruiting a group of capable and dedicated as well as spiritually robust tutors, the biggest challenge is composing the teaching materials. On the one hand, we need to regularly revise and rewrite our early curricula; on the other hand, we also need to compose new teaching materials. Composing new teaching materials is analogous to the experience of giving birth to a new born baby after a ten-month pregnancy.
The Higher Diploma Program in Biblical Studies is the most recent teaching material we have created in recent years. The program has a total of 6 subjects and the number of words in the teaching material amounts to tens and even hundreds of thousands of words. The burden of writing such a curriculum is never easy. We began writing the teaching material in October 2010. After the completion of writing four subjects, we offered this new program beginning in March 2012. The writing of the remaining 2 subjects has also been completed in September 2013.
2. The Newly Offered Online Programs
In April 2012, DEP offered the Online Certificate Program in Old Testament Studies which adopts an online platform and the program content is exactly the same as the correspondence version. To facilitate further studies for lay Christians, we later offered the Online Certificate Program in New Testament Studies in January 2013, and this program takes the place of the former eClass format.
| DEP’s Certificate and Diploma Programs | |
|---|---|
| Certificate in New Testament Studies (correspondence and online programs) | |
| 1. The Gospel of John 2. The Gospel of Mark 3. The Gospel of Matthew 4. The Gospel of Luke 5. The Acts of the Apostles |
6. Romans 7. The Letters of Paul 8. The General Letters 9. The Book of Hebrews 10. The Book of Revelation |
| Certificate in Old Testament Studies (correspondence and online programs) | |
| 1. Genesis 2. Exodus 3. Leviticus/Numbers 4. Deuteronomy 5. Joshua 6. Kings I & II 7. The Wisdom Literature |
8. Psalms 9. Isaiah 10. Jeremiah 11. Ezekiel 12. Daniel 13. Minor Prophets |
| Diploma of Christian Studies | |
| 1. Understanding the Bible 2. Biblical Background 3. New Testament Survey I 4. Old Testament Survey I 5. History of Christianity 6. New Testament Survey II 7. Old Testament Survey II 8. New Testament Survey III |
9. Old Testament Survey III 10. Introduction to Theological Studies 11. Christian Education 12. Basic Christian Doctrines 13. Counseling Principles & Skills 14. Christian Ethics 15. Stewardship 16. Apologetics |
| Diploma in Biblical Studies | |
| 1. Understanding the Bible 2. Biblical Background 3. New Testament Survey I 4. Old Testament Survey I 5. History of Christianity 6. New Testament Survey II 7. Old Testament Survey II 8. New Testament Survey III |
9. Old Testament Survey III 10. Hermeneutics 11. Daniel 12. Ezra 13. The Gospel of John 14. 1 Corinthians 15. Hebrews 16. Judges |
| Higher Diploma in Christian Studies | |
| 1. History of Christian Thoughts 2. Hermeneutics 3. Introduction to Missiology 4. The Acts of the Apostles 5. Ecclesiastes #1-3 compulsory subjects #4-9 choose any 3 subjects |
6. Romans 7. Numbers 8. Hosea 9. Revelation |
| Higher Diploma in Biblical Studies | |
| 1. The Acts of the Apostles 2. Ecclesiastes 3. Romans |
4. Numbers 5. Hosea 6. Revelation |
Topical Seminar
To broaden students’ vision, DEP holds a topical seminar twice every year (with an exception due to our Fifteenth Anniversary Thanksgiving Meeting held in October last year). The seminar, which is usually held on a Saturday afternoon, offers a learning opportunity to students and is open to brothers and sisters of our churches.
Thank God for using these seminars which draw enthusiastic responses from the attendees. In the past school year, the topics of the two seminars were “Forgiveness vs. Justice?” and “The Search of the Jesus of the Four Gospels” presented by our teachers, Dr. Freeman Huen and Dr. Jonathan Lo, respectively.
Special Training
At present, the communities that we serve include visually and hearing impaired Christians and those who come to Christ in correctional institutions. In these ministries, we have developed a partnership with The Hong Kong Christian Kun Sun Association Ltd. and the Christian Ministry for Visually Impaired Persons for over ten years.
1. The Onesimus Training Project
Since 1999, DEP, in cooperation with The Hong Kong Christian Kun Sun Association Ltd., has been providing training for Christians in the correctional institutions. There are over 50 Onesimus students currently taking the certificate or diploma programs and one student in particular is our DEP “fan” who has finished the Certificate in New Testament and Old Testament Studies, and the Diploma in Biblical Studies. Currently he is enrolled in the Diploma in Christian Studies and will graduate this year.
At the Seminary’s Silver Jubilee Joint-Programs Graduation Ceremony in 2012, family members of the graduating students attended the ceremony to receive the diploma of graduation for these students. The joyful and pleasant facial expressions of the family members of this group of students that day is still unforgettable for us. This has become a driving force that invigorates us to continue doing our best to serve these Onesimus students.
A Student’s Sharing
Unknowingly, I had stayed in prison for twenty years but I had not seen a way out! What will my future be? I had prayed to Yahweh about my worries ….
In 2000, upon recommendation from Rev. Wong, I began taking DEP. Though my initial response to enroll was to satisfy Rev. Wong (here I must apologize to Rev. Wong), today I cannot help but offering up to God my thankfulness. I praise God for granting me the wisdom and strength so that I can complete three different programs. How beautiful and wonderful is God’s grace! He has enabled me to simply focus on doing the course assignments and forget about the things that had been bothering me. “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matt 6:34) Through His words, God calms my soul so that I can live in peace and joy and have the strength to overcome various predicaments. The fact that God has tolerated and cherished such a foolish student like me makes me feel greatly ashamed. Is this not the way the love of God is manifested? This is what I always think.
I have come across many problems in the course of doing the assignments. Besides providing me with Rev. Wong who always comes to visit and teach me, God also sends forth many Christian soldiers to come close to me to be my guide. Some are unexpectedly front-line staff workers here who inspire me to explore what the truth is whenever we have a chat. I am truly thankful for my DEP tutors who have persistently taught me with their tolerance, love, and patience. They inspire me to think from new perspectives so that I can realize God’s salvation in greater depth and renew my hope in life. What God has prepared for a sinner like me is always sufficient. I have never lacked anything. May all the glory be to God!
Ah Yuk
An Onesimus student
2. Spiritual Light Project
Beginning from 2001, DEP has cooperated with Christian Ministry Center for Visually Impaired Persons to offer training to the visually impaired Christians. Up to now, 4 classes of Certificate Program in New Testament Studies and 1 class of Certificate Program in Old Testament Studies have been offered. Over the past 10 years, through the provision of the learning materials, textbooks in Braille characters, tutorial lessons, topical seminars, and computer tools, these students have studied tirelessly. At the DEP Graduation Ceremony 2009, an elderly Ms. Tang, who was blind and aged 82, received her Certificate in New Testament Studies from President Cho. She broke the record as the DEP’s oldest graduate. The touching scene that day still remains vivid before our eyes.
Students’ Sharing
It was about twelve years ago when I began taking the Certificate Program in New Testament Studies offered by DEP. At first I studied and did the assignments with the help of the Braille characters (alphabet for the blind) and audio tapes. The staff in the the Christian Ministry Center for Visually Impaired Persons translated the Braille characters into written Chinese for the tutor to mark. After marking, the tutor spent a lot more time than usual to give students her feedback (the corrections and comments) by recording her voice into a cassette tape and then distributing them to each student. Later, I learned to use one of the Chinese input methods on the computer to do my assignments. At first, to avoid making mistakes, I wrote the answers in Braille characters and then input the answers into the computer. Soon afterwards, in order to save time and paper I directly input the answers through the computer.
As I took the New Testament Studies beginning with the Gospel of Matthew all the way to the book of Revelation, comments from my tutor Ms. Chan were very beneficial to me. I still remember her words of encouragement: “You are putting greater and greater efforts into doing the assignments and your written Chinese has kept improving.” After taking the New Testament Studies, I have gained much more Biblical knowledge and the computer skill with which I input my written Chinese has also improved a lot! Later, when I took the Old Testament Studies, a new Chinese input method helped my studies progress even further. In fact, my husband also studies in the same program with me but we do not forget our good Christian character and we will not copy one another’s assignments.
The Spiritual Light Project offered by DEP takes into consideration the needs of the visually impaired who want to study the Bible and allows us to learn like any other person. I thank God for this! There are donors who have contributed to a scholarship fund for our studies and this grace has become a driving force for us to work hard at our studies. Therefore, I dare not become lazy but always try hard to complete my course assignments within the permitted time limit. The group of students in the Spiritual Light Project sometimes gathers together and has gradually formed a mutually supporting fellowship.
Lau Pik-ha
Student from the Spiritual Light Project
Future Development and Needs
1. To Train Christians in Individual Geographical Areas
Under the leadership of God, DEP has actively developed ministries in cooperation with different churches in Hong Kong and overseas as well as with Christian organizations to train Christians by group in individual areas. We welcome individual churches or Christian organizations that have a burden and are willing to financially support our “special training” ministries to contact us.
2. Possibility of Offering a Degree Program
We are preliminarily thinking about the need and possibility of offering a degree program besides the present certificate and diploma programs. Considerable resources are required for a degree program, so please pray for the Seminary so that we can follow God’s will and guidance.
