Welcome to Kingdom Building Institute (KBI), a free cyber-school without walls with the goal of teaching Christians how to operate in their spiritual gifts. During a bible study class in my basement in 2004, God let me know His desire for my life; I was to start a spiritual gifts vocational school that would reach nations. Although I am a gifted teacher with a degree in education, the idea never crossed my mind to start a school. I understand that, when God speaks, it does not mean it will happen immediately. He speaks so that you can align yourself with His will and get prepared to move on His command. So, I continued to teach (and study) and watch for signs of when the time was ripe. I never doubted the calling, but I was unsure of His timing and His means. Just how was this supposed to happen inasmuch as I was not actively involved in an organized school? Early in my walk with the Lord, I learned that, when He speaks, He generally does not give you a GPS of where to go, step by step, and how long it will take to get there. Instead, He gives you a compass: this is the general way, walk in it; trust and remain ever watchful for the details.
It was seven years before the concept of a virtual school materialized in my mind; but once the concept of a virtual school utilizing technology formed in my head, gradually, step by step, I knew what to do. It would not be a traditional school in a building but instead a school housed in technology. I did not have a master plan. I simply started moving in the direction God pointed me. Initially, I started teaching bible study by conference call. My class of a few students in the Tidewater region every weekday from 7-8 a.m. Within a year, seven classes were ongoing with five teachers instructing about 60 students scattered in multiple states at various times. Our conference call teaching had imperceptibly migrated to a full-fledged bible-based school that studies traditions, cultures, and history of and about the bible along with the sacred text. Students appeared from every level of biblical experience and understanding, those with advanced degrees and those without; the ordained and laity all found their place at the table earnestly endeavoring to become mature students of the word of God.
An underlying principle of KBI is that, in order to function expertly in one’s gift, whatever is done must be Biblically grounded. Our focus is this: every believer has something to contribute to the building of the Kingdom God. Bible study is to inform spiritual gift practitioners in how to minister from a position of knowledge, understanding, and love.
As KBI began to take shape and grow, it seemed as if the moment I could vaguely see where to place my next step, gifted and willing people appeared in my life at the perfect moment to help me: teachers, businessman, administrators, attorneys, computer savvy people, financial people, and professional fundraisers.The school was officially established as a nonprofit so that everyone who wanted to be trained could do so for free. Currently, everyone is a volunteer who is committed to the KBI vision and invested in its success.
As KBI completes its first year of classes, I am amazed at what has been accomplished. The Board of Directors is busy laying out the strategy for the next few years in anticipation of an exponential acceleration in the scope and impact this divinely appointed school will have on the Kingdom of God. What we are doing is training for Kingdom work that transcends church, denomination, location or culture.
KBI encourages diligent study and creativity. The other teachers and I often are amazed at our students completed assignments. We give assignments with the caveat that the method of presentation is limited only by the imagination. As a result, we’ve enjoyed presentations of guided tours, time travel, plays, and court cases to name a few. More importantly, however, we praise God for our students growth.
All believers are in the construction business, those who join in with this exciting adventure are called Kingdom Builders. One of my signature statements I quote from a familiar proverb is, when the student is ready, the teacher will appear. Are you ready?