Berean Bible Institute

What Berean Bible Institute does

Berean Bible Institute (BBI) is a private nonprofit religious educational institution headquartered in West Bend, Wisconsin, that provides college-level biblical and ministry training to Christians, primarily within the dispensational Grace Movement. Founded in 1995 with classes beginning Fall 1996, BBI delivers credential pathways ranging from short certificates (10-30 credit hours) through a Bachelor of Ministry (126 credit hours), with specialized ministry tracks in Pastoral Studies (men only), Missions, Christian Education, and Interdisciplinary Studies. The curriculum centers on dispensational theology emphasizing the dispensation of grace as revealed through the Apostle Paul, and addresses a need identified by over 60 Grace leaders in May 1995 for formally-trained pastors, missionaries, and local church workers.

BBI delivers instruction through three modalities: live virtual instructor-led courses via Zoom (evenings Monday-Thursday in 8- or 16-week terms), self-paced self-directed distance courses with advisor support, and on-campus courses at the West Bend headquarters (currently no on-campus courses are scheduled). The technology stack consists of a Moodle-based learning management system (transitioning at learn.bereanbibleinstitute.org), JotForm for application and enrollment workflows, and PayPal for donation processing. Content output includes a quarterly BBI Bulletin newsletter, a bimonthly Bible Answers to Bible Questions (BABQ) publication, and weekly Thursday Online Chapel messages from BBI faculty and visiting Grace ministers.

BBI operates a hybrid tuition-plus-donation revenue model. Tuition is priced uniformly at $100 per credit hour across all programs, with application ($25), course administration ($50/online or self-directed course), credit-by-evaluation, and graduation ($15-$75) fees layered on; multiple scholarship programs including the National Pastors and Leaders Scholarship ($70/course for international pastors) and 25% tuition reductions for GMI/TCM missionary candidates are available. Revenue is supplemented by recurring monthly donations through the Champions of Grace network ($10-$100 tiers) and an active Strategic Growth Initiative capital campaign targeting $250,000 over 24 months (currently 45% raised). BBI is independent with no denominational or government backing, and works through formal partnerships with Grace Ministries International (GMI), Things to Come Mission (TCM), Word of Grace Mission, Grace Beyond Borders International, and the Berean Bible Society to source students and place graduates.

Name

Berean Bible Institute

Legal name

Berean Bible Institute, Inc.

Website

https://bereanbibleinstitute.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Berean Bible Institute is a nonprofit Bible college in West Bend, Wisconsin offering certificates, associate degrees, a diploma, and a Bachelor of Ministry through Zoom, self-directed, and on-campus formats, primarily serving pastors, missionaries, and Grace Movement Christian leaders.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Religious Organizations (8131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAHAKAB

Bible Colleges (Undergraduate Ministry & Biblical Studies)

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Religious & Theological Colleges

SECONDARYEDAHAKAG

Christian Colleges with Theological Programs

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Religious & Theological Colleges

SECONDARYEDAHAKAE

Ministerial Training Institutes (Clergy Formation)

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Religious & Theological Colleges

SECONDARYEDAHAKAF

Missionary Training Colleges & Schools

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Religious & Theological Colleges

SECONDARYBPAGAJAD

Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis)

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Religious & Faith-Based Organizations

Keywords

• Biblical education programs
• Ministry training courses
• Theological certificate programs
• Online ministry education
• Dispensational bible college

Headquarters

HQ city

West Bend

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition Revenue: Primary revenue from tuition charged at $100 per credit hour. Students pay based on the number of credit hours for each course they enroll in. Additional fees apply for technology, administration, and graduation.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: BBI is an independent faith ministry with no denominational or organizational backing, solely supported by donations from believers. Champions of Grace network provides recurring monthly donations and one-time gifts. Also accepts planned estate giving.
3. Application and Administrative Fees: Fees for application processing ($25), course administration ($50 per online course, $50 per self-directed course), credit by evaluation ($25 evaluation + $35 per credit hour), and graduation ($15-$75 depending on program).
4. Scholarship Fund Revenue: General Scholarship Fund supported by gifts from faithful brethren to help students with expenses. Also receives support through GMI/TCM missionary candidate sponsorship and National Pastors and Leaders Scholarship Program.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Berean Bible Institute offers college-level biblical and ministry training through a structured curriculum spanning certificates (10-30 credit hours), associate degrees (60 credits), a diploma (96 credits), and a Bachelor of Ministry (126 credits). Programs emphasize dispensational theology rooted in the Grace Movement's interpretation of Pauline doctrine and are delivered through virtual instructor-led Zoom classes, self-directed distance study, and on-campus instruction at its West Bend, Wisconsin headquarters. Specialized ministry tracks include Pastoral Studies, Missions, Christian Education, and Interdisciplinary Studies.

Product overview

Berean Bible Institute is a Bible college and ministry training institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational programs for training pastors, missionaries, and Christian leaders. The core educational offerings include three Certificate programs (Certificate of Dispensational Studies at 10 credit hours, Certificate of Biblical Worldview at 10 credit hours, and Certificate of Basic Bible Studies at 30 credit hours), two Associate degrees (Associate of Biblical Foundations and Associate of Biblical Studies), one Diploma program (Diploma of Advanced Biblical Studies at 96 credit hours), and one Bachelor degree (Bachelor of Ministry at 126 credit hours). Programs are delivered through three flexible formats: Virtual Instructor-Led Courses via Zoom teleconferencing, Self-Directed independent study courses, and On Campus education (when available). Four Ministry Tracks specialize students in Pastoral Studies (men only), Missions, Christian Education, or Interdisciplinary Studies. The institute also publishes resources including the quarterly BBI Bulletin, the bimonthly Bible Answers to Bible Questions (BABQ), and Online Chapel video messages. Students access courses through the learning management system portal. The institution operates on a per-credit tuition model at $100 per credit hour with various scholarships and discounts available.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Champions of Grace: A network of believers who partner together to support BBI and its mission to train pastors and Christian leaders for the proclamation of the gospel of the grace of God.
• BBI Bulletin
• Bible Answers to Bible Questions (BABQ)

Products and services

• Certificate of Dispensational Studies (Cert. DS) A 10 credit hour certificate program establishing students in dispensational understanding of Scripture with emphasis on the truths of the dispensation of the grace of God as revealed to and through the Apostle Paul. Designed for Christians seeking foundational dispensational theology training.
• Certificate of Biblical Worldview (Cert. BW) A 10 credit hour program equipping students to think biblically and defend their faith, providing doctrinal understanding and methods for engaging false religions and unbiblical worldviews. Targeted at Christians preparing for secular university or hostile cultural environments.
• Certificate of Basic Bible Studies (Cert. BBS) A 30 credit hour certificate providing a strong biblical foundation, working knowledge of the whole Bible with dispensational understanding, personal Bible study skills, and training for sharing Christ with the lost. Minimum 15 credits must be taken at BBI.
• Associate of Biblical Foundations (ABF) A two-year degree requiring 30 BBI ministry credits plus 30 transferred general education credits. Transitional degree designed to equip laypeople for service in the local church.
• Associate of Biblical Studies (ABS) A two-year degree with 60 credits of Bible and Ministry courses (minimum 30 credits through BBI). No general education courses required; can be completed entirely through BBI as a transitional degree.
• Diploma of Advanced Biblical Studies (Dip. ABS) A 96 credit hour diploma designed to train leaders for full-time vocational ministry within the Grace Movement. Offered in four tracks: Pastoral Studies (men only), Missions, Christian Education, and Interdisciplinary Studies. Minimum 30 credits must be taken at BBI.
• Bachelor of Ministry (B. Min.) A 126 credit hour degree including 30 credits general education and 96 credits in ministry/biblical studies. Designed to train leaders for full-time vocational ministry within the Grace Movement with four ministry track options (Pastoral Studies, Missions, Christian Education, Interdisciplinary Studies).

Quantifiable outcome

• Students can complete certificate programs (10 credits) in 1 semester (4 months) if motivated
• +2 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Grace Ministries International (GMI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGMI missionary candidates receive 25% reduction in tuition costs at BBI. Students endorsed by GMI qualify for scholarship sponsorship. BBI assists global ministries in preparing men and women to serve on the foreign mission field with solid, systematic, ministry-specific training.
• Things to Come Mission (TCM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTCM missionary candidates receive 25% reduction in tuition costs at BBI. Students endorsed by TCM qualify for scholarship sponsorship. Don Sommer served with TCM for 13 years and later directed Prison Mission Association.
• Word of Grace Mission (WGM)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWGM national pastors and leaders may receive training at BBI through the National Pastors and Leaders Scholarship Program for countries with per capita income under $10,000.
• Grace Beyond Borders InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBBI provides training at significantly reduced rates for national pastors and leaders from developing countries through Grace Beyond Borders International partnership.
• Berean Bible SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBBI originated under the auspices of the Berean Bible Society Board of Directors. Shares affiliated churches and ministry network. Curriculum linked to Grace Bible College traditions.
• Grace Bible Church NetworkminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMultiple affiliated Grace Bible Churches (Beloit, Oshkosh, West Allis, Wittenberg) serve as network of churches that may refer students and provide ministry opportunities for graduates.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Grace Bible College: Small dispensational/Grace-oriented Bible college in Spring Lake, MI offering associate, bachelor's, and master's programs. Closest doctrinal and structural peer to BBI within the same Grace Movement tradition.
• Grace Christian University: Grand Rapids-based evangelical institution with roots in the Grace Movement and dispensational theology. Comparable in scale, program mix (certificates through bachelor's), and target student profile.
• Maranatha Baptist University: Fundamentalist Baptist institution offering Bible and ministry degrees with dispensational elements and multiple delivery formats (on-campus, online). Comparable in mission, program breadth, and small-college operating model.
• Calvary University: Small, fundamental Baptist Bible college in Kansas City offering certificates through master's degrees with dispensational teaching. Comparable scale, delivery mix (on-campus and online), and pastoral-training focus.
• Faith International University: Tacoma-based evangelical institution affiliated with the Christian and Missionary Alliance, offering certificate through doctoral programs including fully online options. Comparable in serving missionaries and pastoral candidates with flexible delivery.

Broad incumbents

• Moody Bible Institute: Large, established evangelical Bible college and seminary in Chicago with certificate through doctoral programs and robust online/distance offerings. A broader incumbent that overlaps with BBI in mission and delivery format.
• Dallas Theological Seminary: Premier dispensational seminary in Dallas, TX, offering graduate degrees and online certificates. Strong doctrinal overlap with BBI and a benchmark competitor for prospective Grace Movement students seeking accredited credentials.
• Bob Jones University: Large fundamentalist Protestant university in Greenville, SC, with strong Bible institute tradition and growing online programs. Overlaps with BBI on theological conservatism and ministerial training.
• Liberty University: Large accredited evangelical university with extensive online seminary offerings (Liberty University Online). Competes with BBI for the same low-cost, online ministerial-training student persona at much greater scale.

Others

• Berean Bible Society: Founding parent organization of BBI and long-standing publisher of Grace Movement literature. Not a degree-granting peer but the doctrinal and publishing hub that supplies curriculum alignment and ministry-network referrals to BBI.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/bereanbibleinstitute
• Facebookfacebook.com/bereanbibleinstitute.org

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Berean Bible Institute