A need exists in the Church today for every Christian to have more in depth training in Biblical fields of theological study. Various theologies swirl around the Church while it experiences attacks from neo-orthodoxy, liberalism, and naturalistic philosophies. Every Christian needs to be trained with an in depth understanding of the Word of God, in order to honor God according to who He is, and to defend the faith against errant ideas about God, Jesus Christ, and Scripture. It was with these thoughts in mind that In Christ Alone Bible College was created.
Since the need is so great for more in depth study of the Word of God, yet most people find themselves in situations where they cannot attend a traditional seminary, ICABC (In Christ Alone Bible College) was developed in order to offer such studies at a level, and with coursework, that every Christian can handle. The coursework is chosen as to not be overwhelming for Christians that work full time and have families. The goal of ICABC is to equip the people of God, yet not make this equipping burdensome. The idea is to provide as much opportunity to study the Christian faith* in a way that is informative, edifying, and useful, yet in a way that is possible for busy people.
Two degree options will be offered at ICABC. Those degree options are the Associate of Christian Studies (ACS), and the Bachelor of Ministry and Theology (BMin). The ACS degree is designed for anybody who desires to learn more regarding the Biblical faith. The BMin is designed for those who desire to be in the Pastoral Ministry, although all will be allowed to enroll in the program.
Three lecture classes are offered every semester, with an additional one day seminar being offered relating to the classes of that semester. Students in the ACS program will only be required to take the three lecture classes and seminar each semester, along with the summer reading classes. Students in the BMin will also have one independent reading class per semester. The BMin will also require a small thesis project (25 pages) which will include an oral presentation. In addition, some credits for public teaching and ministry will be required (see degree requirements)
Courses
Credits
Biblical Theology
2
Hermeneutics
2
Genesis
2
Seminar 1 (Interpreting Genesis)
1
Total
7
Courses
Credits
Doctrine of Word
2
OT Survey
2
Isaiah
2
Seminar 2 (Defending Inerrancy)
1
Total
7
Courses
Credits
Doctrine of God
2
NT Survey
2
Life of Christ
2
Seminar 3 (The Attributes of God)
1
Total
7
Courses
Credits
Doctrine of Man
2
Church History 1
2
Acts
2
Seminar 4 (Essential Principles for Ministry)
1
Total
7
Courses
Credits
Christ/Spirit
2
Church History 2
2
Romans
2
Seminar 5 (The Holy Trinity)
1
Total
7
Courses
Credits
Redemption
2
Apologetics
2
Ephesians/Hebrews
2
Seminar 6 (God's Grace Alone)
1
Total
7
Courses
Credits
Doctrine of Church
2
Ethics
2
Epistles Peter/John
2
Seminar 7 (Scripture as the Basis for Ethics)
1
Total
7
Courses
Credits
Doctrine of Last Things
2
Missiology
2
Revelation
2
Seminar 8 (Defending Your Faith)
1
Total
7
Semester 1
Semester 2
Semester 3
Semester 4
Semester 5
Semester 6
Semester 7
Semester 8
Courses
Credits
Biblical Theology
2
Hermeneutics
2
Genesis
2
BMin Track
2
Seminar 1 (Interpreting Genesis)
1
Total
9
Courses
Credits
Doctrine of Word
2
OT Survey
2
Isaiah
2
BMin Track 2
2
Seminar 2 (Defending Inerrancy)
1
Total
9
Courses
Credits
Doctrine of God
2
NT Survey
2
Life of Christ
2
BMin Track 3
2
Seminar 3 (The Attributes of God)
1
Total
9
Courses
Credits
Doctrine of Man
2
Church History 1
2
Acts
2
BMin Track 4
2
Seminar 4 (Essential Principles for Ministry)
1
Total
9
Courses
Credits
Christ/Spirit
2
Church History 2
2
Romans
2
BMin Track 5
3
Seminar 5 (The Holy Trinity)
1
Total
10
Courses
Credits
Redemption
2
Apologetics
2
Ephesians/Hebrews
2
BMin Track 6
3
Seminar 6 (God's Grace Alone)
1
Total
10
Courses
Credits
Doctrine of Church
2
Ethics
2
Epistles Peter/John
2
Greek First Steps
3
Seminar 7 (Scripture as the Basis for Ethics)
1
Total
10
Courses
Credits
Doctrine of Last Things
2
Missiology
2
Revelation
2
Hebrews First Steps
3
Seminar 8 (Defending Your Faith)
1
Total
10
Semester 1
Semester 2
Semester 3
Semester 4
Semester 5
Semester 6
Semester 7
Semester 8
**Summer reading courses (non-lecture) are required for students of of both degree options. Reading will be required in topics including, but not limited to, Systematic Theology, Historical Theology, and Apologetics. Short summaries will be required for the books read.
Pastor Mark Mills
Pastor Ken Beaton
Pastor Dan Vacco
Sean Anderson
Pastor Mark Mills
Pastor, Teacher of Biblical Studies and Systematic Theology
Pastor Mark is originally from Belleville New Jersey. He came to Christ in 1992 in the ministry of Teen Challenge in Rochester New York. He later worked as a staff member and Bible teacher at Teen Challenge and was ordained in 2000. He has served as Senior Pastor of Glory to Glory Christian Fellowship since its beginning in 2005. He is currently working on his Bachelor of Divinity at Northstar Bible Institute. Pastor Mark and his wife Theresa have five children and four grandchildren.
Pastor Ken Beaton
Pastor, Teacher of Systematic Theology and Biblical Studies
Ken Beaton comes from Nova Scotia, Canada. He was saved in 1980. He has been married to his wife, Christine, for thirty years and has a son Jonathan. Ken graduated from Northpoint Bible College in Haverhill, MA with a B.A. in Biblical Studies/Pastoral Ministry. He has been an elder in Evangelical Church of Fairport for the past twelve years where he has been a member since 1998.
Pastor Dan Vacco, M.A.
Director, Teacher of Theology, Biblical Studies, Apologetics and Ethics
Dan was born and raised in Rochester, NY. He was saved just after graduating from College in 2004, at the age of 22. Since then, Dan has served in various teaching capacities at the local church level, including leading home Bible studies, teaching adult and kids Sunday School, leading the Glory to Glory Young Adult Group from 2008-2009, and other various ministries. Dan has a B.A. in Physics from Oswego State University, and an M.A. in Theological Studies from Whitefield Theological Seminary. Dan lives in Rochester with his wife, Rachel, and two sons, Dominick and Augustin. Dan serves as the President/Director of ICABC.
Sean Anderson, M.A.
Teacher of Church History, Historical Theology
Sean is originally from Lubbock, Texas. He was saved in 1998. He has served as a bible study leader for his college ministry, a youth and college minister in Texas, as well as a teacher and aide in the Sunday School program at Glory to Glory. Sean has a B.A. in Philosophy and Religion from Texas Tech University and an M.A. in Theological Studies from Northeastern Seminary in Rochester. Sean has been married to his wife, Carolyn, for two years and has a son named Judah and a daughter, Shiloh.
The classes will be structured so that the majority of the learning is done in the classroom. Classes will meet once a week for 16-18 weeks. Some reading and light homework will be required. These requirements will vary per class. The teachers are committed to remaining conscience of the course requirements for other classes so the students will not be overloaded with work.
The cost of the classes will be $25 per credit hour ($50 per class, except Greek and Hebrew which will be $75 per class). Each class will require the purchase of one text book at the student’s cost. People will be allowed to attend classes who do not desire to pursue a full degree as “Audit students.” This means the student will attend the classes only, and will do any coursework they desire, but will not submit coursework for grading. The cost to audit a class will be $10 per class.
ICABC is unaccredited at this point in time, however Whitefield Theological Seminary accepts the BMin program as an acceptable undergraduate degree. Students who complete a BMin with ICABC will be able to apply to go on for graduate studies with Whitefield.
* To understand the Theological perspective of those in the school, please see the statements of faith on the websites for the Evangelical Church of Fairport (ecfnet.org), and Glory to Glory (glory2glory.org).