The mission of the Bobby Wood School of Christian Studies is to bring honor and glory to God by developing quality church leaders, through training that will help them grow in spiritual maturity, biblical knowledge and ministry skills.
The Bobby Wood School of Christian Studies is open to all persons. Anyone may take course(s) for their own general improvement. It is not necessary to be a teacher, youth worker or pastor to benefit from a course of study.
Why participate in the program?
Affordable Tuition
Thanks to the help of the Bowen Charitable Trust, each course costs less than $40 (excluding the cost of the textbook). There is also an optional add-on of $10 for your spouse.
Flexibility
With various course options, you can continue to serve in your current role while pursuing education. The various course options include:
- Simultaneous six-week courses around the state taught by certified pastors
- One-day courses at Parchment Valley or other locations
- Online courses that allow you to study around your schedule
- A new digital learning initiative that allows you to study on your own
A Strong Reputation
The School of Christian Studies has already graduated more than 700 individuals, with over 70 graduates now serving in ministry roles in our churches around the state.
Who was Bobby Wood?
Bobby was a pastor, and later, an area minister. He pastored several churches in Chesapeake; Huntington; Montgomery; Sistersville; Raleigh, North Carolina; and Lynchburg, Virginia. He served as an area minister for the West Virginia Baptist Convention from 1988 to 1997, and while in this position, founded the School of Christian Studies.
His vision was to bring together three other already-existing programs: The Church Leader Clinics (a classroom program), the Study Course Program (a tutorial program) and the Lay Preacher Program (a program of the American Baptist Men) into one school. His vision was to provide training for bi-vocational pastors who have not had the opportunity for training. Before the school, many of these pastors had to self-train in order to carry out their ministry. The idea was also to provide continuing education opportunities for pastors and leaders, to allow theological learning that might encourage some to go on to seminary, and to aid students in determining a call into ministry.
Bobby was also known for his commitment to mentoring younger pastors. Now through the school, his legacy lives on and hundreds of individuals have benefited from this program.
