Our Story
History of the Antioch School of Church Planting and Leadership Development
What’s in a Name?
The Antioch School was founded as part of BILD International's commitment to church-based theological education. For decades, BILD has been pioneering approaches to theological education to further the establishment and expansion of Christ’s church across the world.
Our name connects us to one of the most significant churches in the New Testament. Antioch was the hub from which Paul and his teams planted churches throughout the Roman world. It was in Antioch that believers were first called Christians. It was from Antioch that the gospel spread through Asia Minor, Greece, and eventually Rome itself.
The Antioch tradition was the dominant expression of how to do church and develop leaders in the first three centuries of the Church. It means that we affirm the biblical pattern known as the Pauline Cycle of evangelizing strategic cities, establishing local churches, and entrusting the churches to faithful men.
We recognize Paul’s letters as establishing tools to use in the process of building strong churches. “The teaching” or “sound doctrine” is not cold, abstract theological knowledge, but woven naturally into Paul’s letters, which address the family and community situations of churches. Lastly, theological education itself is seen as fundamentally church-based according to the model of Paul and Timothy, whereby leaders develop through real ministry experiences and mentoring in the context of churches.
About
Our History
Jeff Reed sought to develop his ministry gifts in the context of a local church ministry. Reed was directed in an ordered learning process by Pastor Jim Schierling of Ontario Baptist Church that was comparable to a seminary education but based in a substantial mentoring relationship and extensive ministry experience in a local church.
Reed was commissioned by the elders of Ontario Bible Church (formerly Ontario Baptist Church, then Oakwood Road Church, now CityChurch of Ames-Des Moines) to develop resources that would allow others in the church to go through a similar process of being equipped for ministry that would be similar to his experience.
BILD International (Biblical Institute of Leadership Development) was formalized to advance the philosophy of church-based theological education, provide resources to support church-based theological education efforts, and help network individuals and organizations doing church-based theological education.
The Antioch School of Church Planting and Leadership Development was established. It was a logical next step in the process of 30+ years of support for church-based theological education as we recognized changes in the higher education landscape. Accreditation agencies were increasingly focused on educational outcomes, which is an area of strength in our programs. The Antioch School gives us the opportunity to grant academic credentials that fit perfectly with the church-based leadership development programs of partners.
The Antioch School received its initial accreditation from the Distance Education and Accrediting Commission (DEAC), formerly known as the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). In this same year, the first Antioch School bachelor of ministry degree was earned and issued.
The Antioch School received recognition from The National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), a private nonprofit organization that helps expand students’ access to educational opportunities and ensure more efficient, consistent, and effective regulation of distance education programs.
Significant revisions were made to Antioch School programs and the BILD Cloud, improving the clarity of competency instructions and updating course requirements.
Ready to Begin?
Whether you're exploring what biblical training could look like for you, or you’re ready to start your journey, we'd love to talk. Let’s explore how the Antioch School can ground you in Scripture, connect you with practitioners, and equip you for the work God has called you to.