For men who desire to please God in their family, workplace, and ministry.
You are already leading.
How you handle a hard week is how your children will handle it in the future. Are you leading them with godly wisdom? People at work are watching to see what kind of leader you are. Do you know biblical leadership? Someone at church may ask you why they should continue believing in God. What would be your answer?
Most men get no training for any of it. You end up learning in front of the people who are counting on you. What would happen if you knew God’s calling, were trained for it, and had the support base to help you make it happen?
We guarantee you’ll be able to do this.
- Answer the hard questions like, why someone should believe in God. Why is there evil in the world? Why should someone trust the Bible? We’ll train you in doctrine and apologetics, and you’ll be able to defend and answer hard questions.
- How to handle a difficult situation with confidence. Not only will you be able to handle it, but you’ll be able to disciple someone else to handle it, because you’ll be trained in ethics, counseling, and discipleship.
- Get through the hard week victorious. Character training comes alongside the academics and will build you up through both years.
- Teach and preach the Bible with power. You’ll learn basic and advanced principles to share your faith.
- Be the leader at home, work, and in ministry God meant you to be. We don’t teach just to dump information, but to cause life transformation.
Also, for those who want to be or are a church planter or staff member.
We have a goal to raise up committed leaders who have a serious calling on their lives. Even if you don’t know if you are called to be a missionary, pastor, assistant pastor, worship leader, Bible school instructor or any other ministry leader but you have a passion for ministry that just won’t go away then this is the Course Membership you want.
We will take you into ministry basics if you are just beginning. From knowing your calling to leading in ministry. If you are already in ministry we will advance your current ministry to a much higher level than you could imagine. We will help you be and feel competent and qualified.
The type of student that we are looking for
- Those who desire the Holy Spirit to conform them to the image of Jesus Christ.
- Those who are open to be and do whatever God may call them to be or do.
- Those who desire to put themselves under leaders in order to become one.
Because Shepherd School is a discipleship program, it is for men only.
Pastors and church planters
Shepherd School is a two-year program that will change your life for the better, equip you for ministry, and help you fulfill your calling. We train everyone as if they are going to shepherd a flock and even if you are not called to be a pastor you will be able to use this material in everyday life. Many of our students end up on staff at churches or plant a church themselves. Once learned this method can also be easily duplicated in any church in the future to raise up godly leaders.
Two ways to take the Shepherd School
Online, from anywhere
No application and no waiting. Enroll and start at any time. Plan on 3 to 4 hours a week.
In person in Albuquerque
Be personally mentored by Pastor Scott Thom and the staff at Cross Christian Fellowship Bible College. The training will consist of classroom education, practical ministry and some personal time with Pastor Scott. Plan on 5 to 7 hours a week, which includes Thursday night attendance.
- Class is Thursday nights 7pm MST and usually ends by 9:30pm, on Cross Christian Fellowship Campus.
- There will be audio assignments during the summer but no Thursday night classes.
- Applications are open from January 2028 through Sunday, July 30, 2028. The next local class begins Thursday, August 3, 2028. Only 50 students will be accepted.
Please apply early as there is limited space, and the application process includes an interview. Not all who apply will be accepted.
Come Out a Different Man, Not Just a Better Informed One
The two-year programs include many of the individual classes but also include over 300 additional studies from top professors, pastors and Christian thought leaders today. It is a great bargain.
You will listen to 3 to 4 audio files each week and take one-quarter page of notes. After two years, you will continue to have access for as long as the college is here. Take your time or review the lessons over and over till you master them.
Included in this Membership
Personal Equipping
- Character Training
- Time Management and Organization
- How to lead in your family, workplace, and ministry
Doctrines
- God
- Christ
- Holy Spirit
- Trinity
- Church
- Prophecy
- The Bible
- Salvation
- Angels, Demons, and Spiritual Warfare
Ministry and Service
- Apologetics
- Discipleship
- Church Management
- Inductive Bible Study
- Ethics and Counseling
- Teaching and Preaching
- Cults and Comparative Religions
- Q&A Sessions
It is a completely different type of school than you are used to.
The tests are about growing in character not grades. In fact, you take the tests until you pass and they even help you learn by giving hints. We want to add to your knowledge but we really want to transform your life. There is a high priority of growing your character as much as your knowledge. If you follow the process we guarantee it will happen.
It is not enough to be engrossed in academia and sent out without practical experience and personal guidance. Therefore the purpose of the Shepherd School is to have a small group of called and dedicated men to be discipled from start to finish.
“This school will give you a better quality education than seminary. While you’ll get your standard seminary type classes, this school goes deeper in many other areas and will help you apply your education in practical ways so you are better able to minister in the real world.”
Kenny Dillingham
Pastor, Highland Baptist
Why the Shepherd School program is not like any other College program
We believe what we teach has to work in the real world. We believe in thinking Biblically but differently about everything else. We offer a Ministry Centered program that is powerful, yet simple to do, is built on discipleship, and has no standard tests or grades but prepares men to have deep character and thinking.
What is the difference between Shepherd School and General Ministry?
General Ministry can be taken by anyone. It has some of the curriculum of the Shepherd School, but it will not have the same resources and advanced training. Shepherd School is for men only due to the discipleship-style instruction.
The Shepherd School is life-changing.
Pastor Scott Thom has been training leaders in every area of ministry. Forty three churches have been planted by men who came through this training. More than a hundred pastors have been trained. Men who have finished it.
“I knew I was being called into ministry but I didn’t really have a clue where to start. Shepherd School not only equipped me with solid theology and skills in defending the faith, and the basics of ministry leadership but it also instilled in me the importance of character, dedication and helped me to understand the need for vision.”
Tracy Burns
Ministry Leader
“One of the biggest things it did for me is it gave me a band of brothers, fellow soldiers for Christ, that I can always call on and count on to encourage me, to help me, to guide me and to sow into my life.”
Aaron Thomas
Pastor
“This short 2 year Spiritual endeavor challenged me beyond my previous 15 years in ministry service ever did!! The teachings were incredible, the help from the staff was immeasurable, and the learning was unforgettable.”
Richard Ross
Ministry Leader
“After graduating I can truly say that I’m able to defend my faith to everyone.”
Rick Sena
Pastor, Extol Church
“Shepherd School was much more than a Bible College to me. It was a maturing experience. Not only did I learn how to study and preach the Word of God, but it taught me how to Live the Word of God.”
Johnny Harwood
Youth Director
“It changed my walk from falling, and strengthened my faith because I couldn’t answer atheists. I had doubts that God was real and it scared me. I believe, now God has called me to ministry because people at work who know that I am a Christian ask me counseling questions. My strength is apologetics.”
Darren Berch
Shepherd School graduate
We have a goal to plant one hundred churches in the next twenty years. We want you to be a part of this exciting college and church movement that is just about to explode.
Sign up for Shepherd School below
We do all this at a very low cost.
Similar programs would cost you between $18,000 to $30,000 a year. Our costs are low because we are revolutionizing how you learn and how colleges work. You can pay a one time fee or a monthly fee.
What about accreditation and cost?
We keep the cost to the minimum so as many as possible can benefit from this unique training. To keep the cost that low we have opted to not be accredited. However, you will still be trained by top professors, Christian thinkers, and leading pastors.
No fear. We will equip you and walk you through the most important principles of ministry.
May God bless you richly with His abundant love.
Pastor Scott Thom, President CCFBC
Pay Once
Saves $776. Twenty four months at $199 comes to $4,776. Paying once is $4,000.
Pay Monthly
$199 a month for 24 months. The same two years, spread out.