Genesee Valley Baptist Institute and Seminary

Genesee Valley Baptist Institute and Seminary (GVBIS) [http://sebbc.org/Seminary/] is an unaccredited conservative Baptist Bible institute located in Penfield, New York, a suburb of Rochester. It is a ministry operated independently by Southeast Bible Baptist Church [http://www.sebbc.org] . Founded in 1995 by Dr. Bruce Craig, GVBIS has branched out all across the United States and the world, offering correspondence courses and teaching materials to churches and individuals who desire to start extension schools, train for Christian ministry, and study the Bible.

Philosophy

As an Institute, GVBIS does not seek to replace Bible colleges, but to supplement them. It is a low cost option that allows young people and families to achieve their Bible education while continuing to serve in their local church.

Some institutes have achieved the reputation of being a “diploma mill”. In opposition to that philosophy, quality of education is a stated goal of the leadership of GVBIS.

On Campus

The on campus portion of GVBIS has grown over the years and it currently operates a full-fledged night school.

Extension Institutes

GVBIS believes very strongly in the autonomy of the local church. The ideal goal is to work through the pastors of other local churches to help them train their people. This is called the extension institute ministry. GVBIS provides local churches with the time saving materials needed to train their own people. At the simplest level, this involves correspondence students meeting with their pastor on a weekly basis in order to be held accountable and be mentored. At a more advanced level it can lead to approved pastors operating their own night school using GVBIS materials.

Diplomas

GVBIS offers diplomas at both the bachelor and masters level in Pastoral Theology, Bible, Counseling, Secondary Education and Elementary Education.

Current Leadership

The current Dean of GVBIS is Pastor James Krohn, Assistant Pastor of Family Ministries at Southeast Bible Baptist Church. He is a graduate of GVBIS along with the Senior Pastor at Southeast Bible Baptist Church, Pastor Zackary Dressner.

GVBIS Doctrinal Statement

GVBIS firmly believes and teaches the following Bible doctrines:

One God in three persons - the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 4:4-6)

The verbal plenary inspiration of the 66 books of the Bible, the infallible revelation of God, preserved in the King James Bible. (II Timothy 3:16, Psalms 12:6, 7)

The deity of Jesus Christ: His virgin birth, His sinless humanity, His substitutionary death, His bodily resurrection, His ascension to Heaven, and His personal coming again. (John 1:1-3, Matthew 1:18-25, I Corinthians 15:3-4, II Corinthians 5:21, Acts 1:9-11)

Salvation by faith in Christ alone, without works, and solely by grace. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

The present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life. (Romans 8:9-14)

The need of works after we are saved to express our gratitude and that we "may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God." (Ephesians 2:10, Romans 12:2)

The resurrection of the body; the eternal glorified state of believers in Heaven, and the eternal punishment in Hell of all who reject Christ (I Thessalonians 4:13-17), Revelation 20:11-15)

The one true Church, the Body of Christ, consisting of all believers regardless of color, race or standing; and the need for attending and supporting a Bible-believing local Church. (Hebrews 10:25, I Corinthians 12:12-14)

The need for daily growth in grace though Bible study, prayer and witnessing (II Peter 3:18, II Timothy 3:15-16, Ephesians 6:18, Acts 1:8), and the need for separation from sin, worldliness, apostasy, and compromise. (II Corinthians 6:14-18)

The solemn command of Christ to evangelize and disciple all nations. (Matthew 28:19-20)

The imminent pre-millennial, pre-tribulational, and personal return of the Lord Jesus Christ to take His Church unto Himself, and the subsequent establishment of His millennial Kingdom on the earth at His visible and glorious appearance. (I Thessalonians 4:13-17, John 14:3, Revelation 19:11-21, 20:1-6)