"What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also."  — 2 Timothy 2:2

We believe local churches and their elders bear the primary responsibility for raising up and training leaders. While formal seminaries can offer good training, they should not replace the local church in identifying and equipping future leaders.

The Leadership Training Program (LTP) is GBC’s effort to, in a formal way, obey the command to “commit to faithful men” sound doctrine and training in shepherding that conforms to the gospel, so that those men will be able to teach others.

We hope that the men who complete the LTP will be better churchmen to the glory of God, and that some will also evidence the biblical qualifications to serve as Elders, Deacons, and/or serve as Home Group leaders. To that end, completing the LTP will ordinarily be required for elder nominees to satisfy the eldership training requirements, as stated in the GBC Handbook for Elders (Section 2.a).

The LTP comprises of three courses:

1. Systematic & Practical Theology (12 Classes)
2. Hermeneutics & Homiletics (12 Classes)
3. Biblical Counseling (15 Classes)

(Note: The current syllabi for each course can be found by clicking on the course name above.)

The duration of the LTP lasts 1.5 years, with classes on Tuesday nights, from 6:30pm - 9:00pm. The first course is in the Fall (August–November), the second course in the Winter/Spring (January–April), Summer is off, and the final course in the following Fall (September–November). Classes are held at the church building.

The LTP costs around $150, which is the cost of the books that will be read during the three courses. Other than the cost for books, there is no additional cost to participate in the program. Limited scholarships are available.

The first course for the upcoming program will be Systematic & Practical Theology. The course begins on Tuesday, 9/2/24 and ends on Tuesday, 11/18. Class are held on Tuesday nights, from 6:30p - 9:00p, at the church building.

The LTP is designed for men and is open to any who are willing to take on the commitments to complete the program. That said, to provide personal attention, the cohort size for each program is limited to a max of six students. Therefore, an application must be submitted to be accepted into the program (Preference given to GBC Covenant Members). The program is a big commitment, and we ask all students to attend each class and complete any work required outside of class time. In other words, please count the cost as you consider submitting an application.

NOTE: The program will look a little different this year. We have a long-term vision to launch a women’s version of the LTP, and to lay the groundwork, we’re beginning to train a few women to help lead that future initiative. As part of that process, three women from the WM Leadership Team will be joining us in this year’s cohort.

To ensure we can offer meaningful, personal investment, the cohort size for each program is limited (preference is given to GBC Covenant Members). This year, however, the men’s cohort will include just three participants—rather than the usual six—since the other three spots will be filled by the women being trained (still totaling six students overall).

Application acceptance opens Sunday, 7/13 and will close on Monday, 8/4. Lord willing, the plan is notify of acceptance status no later than Friday, 8/8.

The Leadership Training Program provided the opportunity to not only learn theology, but also its practice in an enriched environment of shared perspectives from peers and instructors. The experiences the instructors brought to bear on our learning were particularly enlightening, and it all contributed to a fuller understanding of how spiritually-healthy and well-trained leaders are necessary for the feeding and caring of God‘s people.
— Vashon Moore (21-22 Cohort)

Each week I looked forward to gathering with my fellow brothers in Christ for the Leadership Training Program to think through and discuss many complex and engaging theological topics. The program helped equip us to properly study, handle, and then preach God’s word—a challenging yet rewarding experience. I can easily say that all these men, by God’s grace and the help of our teachers, can not only better serve and lead the body of believers, but our respective families as well.
— Elliot Louisos (22-23 Cohort)

Being a part of the Leadership Training Program is a complete blessing; truly iron sharpening iron. Partaking in back and forth discussions about theology, I am able to steward what I leaned to teach others. I can now see what it takes to be a leader in the church and how proper training is key for Christian growth, both on an individual and church level.
— Rick Cardenas (22-23 Cohort)

The Leadership Training Program has been such an incredible conduit of God’s grace. This program has both broadened and deepened my love for the Lord, for His Word, and for the body of Christ. Having the opportunity for deeper study of the Word, gaining perspective through readings and expositions, and intentionally engaging with other brothers in Christ week in and week out is a gift. You will work and apply yourself week in and week out, and the Lord will bring that work to fruition! Through this program I have gained a better appreciation for right doctrine and right theology; more importantly, I’ve been challenged and encouraged to both savor and steward the beauty and truth of the Gospel as I’ve learned to study, teach, and preach the Word. Thank you, GBC, for thoughtfully and carefully obeying 2 Tim 2:2!
— JJ Morgan (23-24 Cohort)

The LTP stands among one of the most enriching, edifying, and challenging programs that I, and many of the other men in my cohort, could engage in on a weekly basis. The class not only challenged us to study deep theological concepts, but then take those concepts and apply them to preaching and teaching the Bible. In addition to the substance that the class offers, I immensely enjoyed the bonds that I formed with my fellow brothers in the class. Overall, this class helped me grow in my personal walk with God, to lean on my brothers in Christ for help, and handle God’s Word with the care that it requires. I encourage my fellow brothers of GBC to consider taking this class as it will push you to work hard and diligently focus on the curriculum, which will ultimately benefit you personally in your own relationship with God, but also help develop our church with a multitude of men that are trained in sound theology that can effectively preach and teach God’s Word.
— Mike Henry (23-24 Cohort)