Purpose
The primary purpose of JICFBI is to provide training to young or aspiring ministers who lack the resources to be effective ministers of the gospel. Training will be provided to other workers in the Church who seek such training as well. The courses are comprensive and challenging while not over bearing. This training is not designed for those who seek formal seminary training.
Acts 19: 8-10- First identified leaders training center
Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. 9 But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10 This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.
( excerpt from harvestime) You must have a clear understanding of the purpose of this training center patterned after the Ephesus model. The purpose of such a school is not to train men and women for careers in business, industry, farming, etc. Colleges and vocational schools serve this purpose.
The Ephesus school trained disciples and equipped them for the work of the ministry. The purpose was to spread the Gospel geographically (throughout all Asia) and culturally (to both Jews and Gentiles). New converts were then trained as disciples in a continued process of multiplication.
Some of these disciples may have been businessmen or farmers. But the Ephesus school did not train them in these professions. It trained believers to be reproductive disciples, whether they worked in the market place or as full-time ministers of the Gospel.
The training center did not replace the church. Believers continued to meet in the synagogue, which was one gathering place of the early church. Believers also continued to meet in churches in their homes.
The Ephesus school was an extension of the church. The school did not replace the ministry of the church, but extended it. The purpose of such a training program is not to replace any existing institution actively spreading the Gospel.