September 2023
Plowman's Academy Expansion
Aside from the SonLight Bible Club, which serves about 5,000 active students, the ministry also offers correspondence courses geared toward adults. This program, known as the Plowman’s Academy, has been running for the past 10 years with several hundred students each year. As of today, it offers eight courses and goes much deeper than the SonLight Club.
The courses include The ABC’s for Christian Growth, Bible Basics, Book of Books, Church History, Life’s Struggles, Christian Foundation, Christian Topical, and Christian Verse by Verse.
Each lesson requires students to open their Bible, dig deeply into Scripture, and answer thousands of questions. Every lesson includes a one- or two-page quiz that is completed and returned for grading.
We are now expanding the Plowman’s Academy. As of September 1, students have begun enrolling through an online platform that allows them to watch videos, interact with instructors and fellow students, and submit quizzes digitally. We are excited about this expansion and are looking for more students to enroll.
Our goal is to teach the Plowman’s Academy at our office location in Savannah, Ohio.
The primary focus of the Academy is to support individuals coming out of restrictive Anabaptist communities. Many of these students have little understanding of Scripture and must unlearn cultural teachings while building a strong Biblical foundation. Because of this, many are hesitant to commit to a full year of study.
Our goal is to walk alongside students for at least a year, providing both foundational knowledge and practical application of the Christian faith, while also equipping them to teach others as instructed in Matthew 28.
During the first year, we will offer stand-alone courses rather than requiring previous coursework. Classes will begin at different times throughout the year as students express interest.
Since the Amish educational system does not emphasize self-study discipline, students will need additional support. This will include increased interaction between students, instructors, and materials through quizzes, discussions, and projects that encourage deeper understanding.
The subjects covered are foundational to the Christian faith, including overviews of the Old and New Testaments, prayer, Bible doctrine, and practical Christian living. Future courses will include topics such as Anabaptist history, parenting, and other relevant subjects.
Our goal is to prepare students for continued education opportunities and encourage them to pursue greater growth. We also plan to partner with other organizations so that completed coursework can transfer and open doors for further learning.
Amish Awareness Conference
Saturday, September 23 at 3:00 p.m. there will be an Amish Awareness Conference, followed by a BBQ cookout at 6:00 p.m. Joe Keim of Mission to Amish People will be speaking, along with testimonies from three local former Amish individuals.
On Sunday, September 24 at 9:00 a.m., Joe Keim will present the ministry, followed by a baptismal service.
All are welcome to attend. The event will take place at Gift of Grace Fellowship in Panama, New York.
Wedding Bells and Mentorship
Esther and I truly enjoy helping young couples prepare for their wedding day and the life that follows. We take this responsibility seriously and invest significant time into premarital counseling, often spending at least 15 hours with each couple.
The couples we have worked with are former Amish and fully committed followers of Christ. Each of them made Jesus the center of their wedding day, and in every ceremony, the Lord was worshiped and the gospel was clearly shared.
Chris, Verna, Jonathan, and Rachel are among a group of about twelve individuals we have mentored through a year-long Bible study course called The ABC’s for Christian Growth. In reality, the course has extended closer to a year and a half as we have worked through deeper topics together.
Some of the subjects we studied include the age of accountability, abortion, homosexuality, predestination, hell, the nature of Jesus, whether Christians should observe holidays, how to know God’s will, and why we go through trials.
In October, our group is planning a two-day trip to the Creation Museum and Noah’s Ark. We will also spend time together at Samuel and Polly Girod’s home, enjoying fellowship, games, and a cookout.
Save the Date
The dates have been set for the upcoming 2024 Step Out of the Boat Conference. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend this impactful event.
We have many new speakers lined up who will share their stories of faith and transformation. It promises to be just as powerful and inspiring as in previous years.