Far Eastern Bible College | INTRODUCING CALVARY BATAM BIBLE COLLEGE

Calvary Batam Bible College was founded on 15 August 1999. At the time of her founding, the school was called Calvary Bible Training Centre, offering two study programmes namely, (1) Bible College Foundation Studies, and (2) Basic Theology for Everyone. The purpose of the first programme was to prepare students for theological training in the Far Eastern Bible College (FEBC), Singapore. Classes were conducted in the English language, covering introductory courses in the study of theology and the Bible. The second programme was for the training of laymen to serve in the local church. At the launching of the Foundation Studies, there were five lecturers and seven students. Basic Theology was attended by 25 church members.

One year later, when the new semester began on 1 August 2000, the Foundation Studies programme was replaced with the Diploma in Theology programme in the Indonesian language. Thirteen students were enrolled in the programme. The Basic Theology programme remained as before. The first batch of Diploma students completed their courses on 30 November 2002. Ristawati Saragih and Siti Harapan Sitanggang are now serving in the Lord’s vineyard.

The ground-breaking service for the new college building was conducted on 13 October 2002 in conjunction with Calvary Batam Bible-Presbyterian Church’s 13^th anniversary. The Rev Dr Tow Siang Hwa was the Lord’s messenger. The construction of the two-storey annexe for the Bible College took eight months. This new extension at the right wing of the main church building has 10 rooms. In this building are housed the college office, classrooms, library and dormitories.





From top, L-R, zig-zag: Congratulatory Board; Calvary Batam BP Church and Bible College; Processional led by Rev K Lie; College Choir; Classroom; Computer room; Library 1; Library 2.

Mr Mulia Pamadi, a faithful church member and property developer, helped to build the College at cost as a service to the Lord. Calvary Jurong Bible-Presbyterian Church supported with a $40,000 love-gift and the remaining cost of $80,000 was raised from the members of Calvary Batam Bible-Presbyterian Church. The new building was dedicated on 8 June 2003 with Rev James Chan as the Lord’s messenger.

The application to conduct the Bachelor of Theology programme was approved by the regional office of the Religious Department in the provincial capital of Pekan Baru on 26 May 2003. With this provincial registration, Calvary Batam Bible College was inaugurated on 1 August 2003 with the Rev Dr Timothy Tow, our beloved pastor and principal of FEBC, delivering the message. His message consisted of three instructions and principles to run the new Bible College: (1) Go to Ujung Pandang, the graduates are to explore and to go to the uttermost part of Indonesia; (2) "Self-help with God’s help is the best help;" (3) Produce Christian literature in the Indonesian language, starting with the translation of FEBC publications. Further registration of the College with the Director-General for Guidance of Christian Community in Jakarta was obtained on 15 October 2005.

The first graduation service was conducted on 26 September 2008 with the Rev Dr Jeffrey Khoo as the Lord’s messenger. He preached on the theme, "The Great Commission is a Commission of Faith, Hope, and Love" (Matt 28:18-20). He exhorted the congregation to (1) preach the love of God, (2) teach the faith of Scripture, and (3) serve in hope of Christ’s return. Four students graduated with the Certificate of Religious Knowledge, four with the Certificate of Biblical Studies, three with the Diploma in Theology, and two with the Bachelor of Theology degree.

Praise the Lord. From its inception as a Bible Training Centre in 1999 to a Bible College now in 2008, the Lord has been good and merciful to sustain and to preserve. May the Lord grant the College many more good years of service.