by Paul Brown (on behalf of the STN International Board)
Shepherding The Nations (STN) became a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization in 2007. In 2009, we started using a curriculum called “Bible Training Centre for Pastors” (BTCP) to train church leaders, pastors, and church planters. It is a 10-volume curriculum, translated into more than 40 languages, that is designed to be covered in 520 hours of classroom instruction. Since most of our classes only meet once per week, it takes about 2 ½ years to complete all 10 courses. So far, we have had over 1,000 graduates, and we have an additional 1,000+ students currently taking classes. We are training people in India, Nepal, Mexico, El Salvador, Panama, Honduras, and Bolivia, and are hoping to expand into other countries in the near future.
What does BTCP cover?
The 10 volumes cover most of the courses a person would take in seminary (not including original languages: Hebrew and Greek).
- Bible Study Methods & Rules of Interpretation.
- Old Testament Survey.
- New Testament Survey.
- Preaching Biblical Messages & Pastoral Ministry.
- Bible Doctrine Survey.
- Personal Spiritual Life.
- Church Ministry & Administration.
- Teaching Principles & Methods.
- Church History Survey.
- Missions, Evangelism, & Discipleship.
Each of our students receive the 10-volume BTCP manuals, a Study Bible, and one or two more books that aid them in studying the Bible (depending on what is available in their language).
What is the cost?
One of the ways that people can support this on-going work is to help us pay for these materials. The cost varies a little from country-to-country, but on average we spend about $125 per student on books. Since we have 1,000+ current students the cost to STN is about $125,000. We have additional expenses for our national directors, regional directors, and trainers. We also provide training in expository preaching as well as other conferences to equip nationals to reach their countries with the gospel and plant healthy churches.
We do ask our students to contribute what they can, but most are in extremely poor areas with little to no extra resources. STN focuses on areas of the world where there is a need for healthy churches and where there are unreached people groups. Our passion is to see churches planted, strengthened, and multiplied in every people group in fulfillment of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20).
Would you consider sponsoring a student with either a one-time or an on-going monthly donation?
One time:
- 1 student = $125
- 4 students = $500
- 8 students = $1,000
- 40 students = $5,000
Monthly:
- 1 student = $10
- 5 students – $50
- 10 students = $100.
- 50 students = $500
Thank you for your prayer and financial support. We praise God for you and for your commitment to seeing the Gospel spread to the ends of the earth. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Ryder Kumar is serving as our International Director. As one of the founding members of Shepherding the Nations, it was Ryder's vision to see pastors trained and equipped for ministry that became the foundation of Shepherding the Nations.
Shepherding the Nations has identified qualified and called men who are already working in unreached areas of India and Nepal. We are providing the training to better equip them and the financial resources to support them in their ministries.
Our directors have been equipped to teach our ten-volume training curriculum. These key men are training indigenous pastors and church planters while also providing accountability, resources materials, and support. 
During our training program, we provide our ten volume set of curriculum from the Biblical Training Centre for Pastors (BTCP) in their local language. We also provide essentials resources such as Bible Concordance and Study Bible. We have been able to provide these books to all of our pastors through the generous donations of our donors. These books can be purchased for about $10 each or an entire set for $100.