The Branding Iron Academy
One of thirty-five Campus Missionary In Training (CMIT) programs around the United States. The Branding Iron Academy (BIA) offers its interns the opportunity to evangelize and disciple the world without leaving the USA. Part of Oklahoma State University Chi Alpha (OSUXA), BIA, trains interns in leading small groups of students in Bible study and discipleship. Training multiple generations of leaders how to: read and understand the Word of God, have fellowship with believers, break bread, pray and reach those who are not yet part of the Body of Christ.
Classes start every weekday at nine with a table talk led by one of OSUXA's staff, these talks help interns get a better gauge on what life is like as a full time campus missionary. Afterwards interns take part in classes like Old/New Testament Survey, Hermeneutics and Homiletics, Theological Round-table and others. Every class is geared towards developing interns into better ministers of the Word and shepherds of God's flock. After classes Interns participate in various outreaches on campus led by OSU students for a semester, then in the spring they develop and run their own outreaches. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings Chi Alpha has various Bible studies (currently 20+) around campus, the interns lead their own bible studies along side student leaders and some staff. Beyond this every Thursday night OSUXA has a large group service led by students with a sermon from one of the staff and Friday international student outreaches take place to help bring in people of other nations into the other weekly activities. Throughout the week Bible study leaders meet with their own core team of leaders for their group and have one on one discipleship meetings with other students.
During weekly reports Inerns clock an average of 40 hours of ministry and class time per week. That being said it is difficult to try working a another job along with the 40 hours plus study time. All Interns are therefore supported by friends, family, churches and others. Part of their training is to raise a monthly budgeted support and to send reports of their activities to AG Home office. Still supporters are so much more than just financial contributors, they are the prayer warriors backing all that their missionaries do, OSUXA has a saying that, "prayer isn't before the work, it is the work" in this mindset the mission work is not only done by the missionary but also the supporters behind them and the God above them.
For more information about the Branding Iron Academy click here, and to know more about the Chi Alpha CMIT program click here.
Classes start every weekday at nine with a table talk led by one of OSUXA's staff, these talks help interns get a better gauge on what life is like as a full time campus missionary. Afterwards interns take part in classes like Old/New Testament Survey, Hermeneutics and Homiletics, Theological Round-table and others. Every class is geared towards developing interns into better ministers of the Word and shepherds of God's flock. After classes Interns participate in various outreaches on campus led by OSU students for a semester, then in the spring they develop and run their own outreaches. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings Chi Alpha has various Bible studies (currently 20+) around campus, the interns lead their own bible studies along side student leaders and some staff. Beyond this every Thursday night OSUXA has a large group service led by students with a sermon from one of the staff and Friday international student outreaches take place to help bring in people of other nations into the other weekly activities. Throughout the week Bible study leaders meet with their own core team of leaders for their group and have one on one discipleship meetings with other students.
During weekly reports Inerns clock an average of 40 hours of ministry and class time per week. That being said it is difficult to try working a another job along with the 40 hours plus study time. All Interns are therefore supported by friends, family, churches and others. Part of their training is to raise a monthly budgeted support and to send reports of their activities to AG Home office. Still supporters are so much more than just financial contributors, they are the prayer warriors backing all that their missionaries do, OSUXA has a saying that, "prayer isn't before the work, it is the work" in this mindset the mission work is not only done by the missionary but also the supporters behind them and the God above them.
For more information about the Branding Iron Academy click here, and to know more about the Chi Alpha CMIT program click here.