ISOM (International School of Ministry)
The International School of Ministry (ISOM) is a discipleship and leadership training tool produced by Good Shepherd Ministries International. Over the past decade, ISOM has become the world’s largest video Bible school. It is designed with the primary objective of enabling pastors around the globe to turn their local churches into ministry training centers. It is estimated that over 12,000 pastors are training at least 200,000 students in more than 140 nations. Individual training through iPod, online and other technologies is also a growing part of the ISOM vision.
The ISOM consists of high-quality DVD teachings recorded specifically for the ISOM project. These were captured from dynamic, wisdom-filled ministers, who impart their life messages from a position of understanding and experience. Some of the world’s most respected teachers were chosen to participate. The main criteria used for requesting a teacher’s involvement were integrity, passion, anointing, sound doctrine, ministry fruitfulness and global vision.
The ISOM is often mistakenly seen as just another helpful product. What many miss is the vision that drove it to be created. ISOM’s founders, Berin and Lisa Gilfillan, were originally working with German evangelist, Reinhard Bonnke. Using their training and background in television and journalism, their tasks were to document the salvations, miracles and healings at Bonnke’s giant crusade events. It was during their time with Bonnke that they became heavily burdened to see those vast numbers of new converts discipled.
The ISOM is a 60-week curriculum separated into five “trimesters,” which are each twelve weeks long. Teachers and subjects include:
Bayless Conley — Foundations of the Faith
Dr. LaMar Boschman — Praise and Worship
Buddy Bell — Ministry of Helps
Bill Winston — Living By Faith
Dr. Reihnard Bonnke— Power Evangelism
Dr. Jack Hayford — Leaders’ Integrity
Dr. Joyce Meyer — Wilderness Mentality
Ray Comfort — Personal Evangelism
Dean Sherman — Spiritual Warfare
John Bevere — Authority and Forgiveness
Dr. A.R. Bernard — Reconciliation
Other teachers include Dr. Marilyn Hickey, Dick Benjamin, Willie George, Larry Stockstill, Dr. Dick Eastman and Terry Law. The teachings are powerful and instructive, and are changing lives around the world, including here at Restoration Church!
An additional curriculum is titled Women of the World. The teachings in this curriculum are done by women and for women. The first WOW volume has 33 sessions and is designed to encourage, empower and equip God’s ladies to become effective in their lives for Christ. Some speakers and subjects include:
Rev. Lisa Bevere — Becoming a Mother/Mentor
Rev. Bobbie Houston — The Value of a Woman
Rev. Christine Caine — Rising to Your Potential
Rev. Darlene Zschech — Women in Worship
Dr. Marilyn Hickey — God’s Plan for Your Family
Dr. John and Helen Burns — Generational Blessings
A recently completed curriculum, the Ministry Module, was compiled for students interested in further ministry training. This curriculum was designed to complement the ISOM, and includes veteran ministers and missionaries as they pour their hearts into these practical sessions. You will learn everything from how to prepare a sermon to how to minister in a relevant and Godly way. Teachers and subjects include:
Dr. John Burns — Renewed Like Eagles
Dr. Berin Gilfillan — Conquering the Sin Nature
Dr. Mark Virkler — Hearing God’s Voice
John Bevere — The Heart of Ministry
The ISOM is an opportunity for every willing person in the Church to be trained for ministry at a minimal cost. It is a school where knowledge, character, and spiritual gifts are equally taught and has no denominational ties. The ISOM is a program through which the power of the Holy Spirit is manifested. It changes lives! Restoration Church has graduated three ISOM classes as of December, 2008, as well as one WOW class. Currently, two classes are running and plans are being made to start a WOW class and a Ministry Module class, as well as a WOW for the Spanish-speaking community.
Please watch our Events Calendar to see when new classes are starting. Call Tammy at 352-0460 for details on cost and details. Everyone is welcome because all need to be discipled! We look forward to hearing from you!
