Students

God has placed individuals within the Body of Christ with specific callings and giftings that will bring glory to Jesus Christ.  In your training for a function in the local church, whether as a pastor, an administrator, teacher, or in the ministry of helps, you are a gift to the Body of Christ.

While a student at New Hope School of Ministries (NHSM), you will be treated as a part of the ministry, both by the faculty and fellow students.  We consider it an honor given by the Lord to have these months to instruct and partnership with you.  You will learn the scriptures and become active in ministry by applying what you are learning.

In light of this, we will also expect you to conduct your life in such a manner as is pleasing to the Lord: submitting to one another in love and serving others as Christ has given us the example.  You will be expected to treat your instructors and fellow students respectfully, always considering one another.  There should be no place in your life for words of strife, rebellion, gossip, or disrespect.  This is the year that the NHSM will "Move Towards Excellence" in all areas.

Classification of Students

Full-time:  enrolled in “Basic Doctrine” course of study, which consists of 12 credit hours.

Part-time:  enrolled in individual courses that consist of one credit hour each class.

New students may enroll at the beginning of any one of the six sessions.

Commitment

There are three words that will become the keys to your success in the ministry: commitment, faithfulness, and stewardship.

“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, in that He counted me faithful putting me into the ministry.”                        - Timothy 1:12

“Moreover it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful.” - 1 Corinthians 4:2

NHSM will endeavor to develop these three principles in your life.  You must COMMIT yourself to the policy and program, which NHSM have committed to present.  You must be FAITHFUL to the principles of God's Word, to the training schedule, and to your family, as we have faithfully pledged ourselves to your success.  You must become a STEWARD of your time, money, talents, indeed of your life, just as the instructors apply themselves to be stewards of the ministry of New Hope Ministries and purpose of God.

When each of us are doing our best to achieve the goals set before us, drawing upon the indwelling strength of the Lord Jesus Christ, this time of training will become one of the most rewarding experiences of our lives.  God, our Father, will be praised by our words and deeds.

Lifestyle

The lifestyle of each student is to be an example to others.  1 and 2 Timothy teach us that if the servant of God is to set an example, he or she must adhere to the principles in the Word.  There can be no room for compromise in the lifestyle of the Christian when we realize the full impact of our actions:

“Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” - 1Timothy 4:16

Lifestyle policies are established for this reason and are to be observed by all students of NHSM.  Your personal beliefs in the validity of these principles may differ from those set forth by the school; however, as long as you are a student of NHSM, you will be expected to observe them.  It is the belief of NHSM that every student's life should be clearly marked by spiritual growth and development.  It should be the desire of each student to develop a lifestyle of study and application of The Scriptures.

Family

God has established the family as part of His plan on earth.  He has so honored it that the church universal is patterned after the same structure.  Therefore, all married students will be expected to provide adequately for the needs of their family: spiritually, emotionally, physically, and financially.  Both the school and the church staff will be available to assist any student who is having difficulty in these, or other, areas.  Family problems that cannot be resolved will be given priority over NHSM requirements.  It is our desire to deal openly with issues and to put an end to the devil’s devices before they can become a serious.

Your commitment to teamwork in this area will help in recognizing any potential problems.  You and your family are important to NHSM because of your value to the Lord.

Church

Each student of NHSM must faithfully attend the church of choice during this time of instruction.  The church, in all of its operative functions, is your training ground.  We expect you to put into practice the things learned at NHSM and to make yourself available to your church for service.

We believe the local church is of vital importance in the spiritual development of every person in the Body of Christ.  You need the church not only as a place of worship and instruction, but for edification, exhortation, and comfort.  One of the missions of the church is to minister to the needs of your family.

Personal Habits

It is not our purpose to dictate what a person can or cannot do as a Christian.  We do, however, insist that as a student, you live a life that is consistent with the teachings of Scripture. 

We expect NHSM students will “keep their body under subjection” from all immoral and illegal acts and habits.   Any use of “illegal drugs” or “abusive substances’ will not be tolerated.  Tobacco and alcohol are considered to be “abusive substances.”  Students must also refrain from any type of immoral, extramarital, permissive, or homosexual activity.

Permissible sexual relations are seen only in the realm of marriage between husband and wife.  It is also the policy of NHSM that all students refrain from “the appearance of evil” in regard to their personal habits.  Dismissal from the school can and will be pursued for immoral and/or illegal acts and actions.

It is important that attitudes reflect those of a student of God’s Word.  There should be no place in your life for rebellion, murmuring, strife, envy, and profane or abusive language.

We also expect that every student will fulfill, to the best of his or her ability, all of the policies established by the administration of NHSM and the requirements of each instructor in the school faculty.  The failure of any student to correct any error in the above mentioned areas will be grounds for dismissal.  However, we will make every attempt to help any student overcome a potential problem.  Our desire is your success.

Notice of Non-Discriminating Policy

New Hope School of Ministries admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin, to all rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.  It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship programs, and other school-administered programs.

Tuition

Please see the NHSM handbook for tuition costs.  A non-refundable application fee is due with the completed application and will be applied toward the total tuition.

Methods of Payment

The tuition can be paid in one of the following ways:

1. Paid in full by Orientation, you will receive a 10 percent discount.

2. Automatic withdrawals (debit plan) from either a checking or savings account.  The first withdrawal will begin in August and continue through April.

Spouse Discounts Available

 A 35 percent discount will apply to a spouse who attends during the same academic school year.  This is assuming a couple is married prior to the beginning of the August session.

Class Attendance

Class attendance is one of the school’s most important policies. As a steward of the ministry God has given you, you are responsible for attending classes from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays during the sessions. You should never miss class unless the needs of special circumstances demand it.  There is an allowance of one (1) excused absence per session. Should you anticipate absence, please contact the office (348-0122)

TARDINESS and ABSENTEEISM will not be tolerated.  Your instructor and the NHSM director will review any absenteeism.

As stated previously, the demand made by family, physical or emotional problems will be handled through the ministry of the church.  Our desire is to resolve the problem.  However, if the resolution of such a problem requires the student to withdraw from the school, this will be handled with understanding and compassion, not judgement.

Curriculum Requirements

NHSM has been organized and established to provide a foundation in the basic doctrines of God’s Word.  You will notice from the review of our curriculum, our emphasis is on those areas of instruction that will equip you to do the work of the ministry.  Our courses will all revolve around the basic principles of the Word, and will be taught from the premise of what the Bible has to say about that subject.

Because of this, we are establishing some minimum requirements for acceptance to NHSM.  An applicant must have:

These requirements are established so that we may be assured students are qualified for the practical ministry, which will be assigned to them during their training at NHSM.

There will be required “hands-on” ministry assistance (helps) assigned to each student of NHSM.  Assignments will be given to enhance the student’s knowledge concerning the local churches and its ministries.

Book Requirements

Each student is responsible for the purchasing of the required texts for each class.

Grading Policy

Although NHSM is not an accredited institution, and, as such, it is vitally important that each student demonstrate a certain level of mastery of the materials presented in the courses of study.

Each instructor will establish an approved set of requirements for his or her course.  These grades will be evaluated on a “per session” basis.  Any student whose “per session” average falls below 70 percent will be notified and will need to make up the work in a timely manner.  Noncompliance will result in failure to graduate with your class.

The grade scale is as follows:

A         =          94 – 100
B         =          85 – 93
C         =          77 – 84
D         =          70 – 76
F          =          69% or below

Incompletes:

An incomplete can be given only when unusual circumstances warrant.  An incomplete cannot substitute for a “D” or “F.”  A student who receives an incomplete (I) must make up the deficiency no later than one (1) week after the course has ended and by the last class if the course is at the end of the year.  After that, the grade defaults to an “F.”  Students with one or more incomplete will not graduate until all assignments are current, with passing grade.

Requirements for Graduation

• Completion of the twelve basic doctrine courses.
• Documented participation in the Church Prayer Ministry
• Successful completion of the practical ministries requirement
• Students are required to make up all homework and tests missed due to absences (excused or unexcused)
• Work must be made up no later than one week after the session ends (exception for the last session – work needs to be completed by the last class) or all Incompletes will revert to an F
• Classroom time missed will have to be made up by coming in at pre-determined times to watch a video or listen to a CD of the classes missed
• Meeting all Instructors’ class requirements.  Instructors will emphasize the necessary requirements to pass their class
• Have a passing grade in all courses (70 percent or above)
• Tuition Payments need to be made in full by the scheduled times

Staff of New Hope School of Ministries

L. Grant Thigpen: Senior Pastor 

President of NHSM

D.D. Logos Graduate School

Pastor Grant Thigpen, a native of Southwest Florida, was born in Fort Myers and grew up in a minister’s home.  His father was the pastor of an independent Pentecostal church.  He graduated from Moore Haven High School in 1967.  After completing one year of college, he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served two and a half years, including a one-year tour of duty in Vietnam. 

Upon returning from overseas, he was stationed in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he met and soon thereafter married Susan, a native of Arkansas.  They lived near Little Rock until 1979 at which time they moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, for Grant to attend Rhema Bible Training Center.  Upon graduating in 1980, they began a traveling teaching ministry, but soon decided to settle in Naples.

In February of 1982, they started a home Bible study, which was the beginning of what is now New Hope Ministries.

Pastor Grant’s ministry focuses on the development of the Christian in practical application of living by faith.  His desire is to see the Body of Christ develop into its full potential so that the world will see the glory of God manifested through a victorious church.

         
Teachers and Instructors

Instructors of NHSM will be listed separately along with the curriculum.  Instructors at New Hope School of Ministries will be comprised of pastoral staff, anointed church leaders, and an assortment of men and women from numerous educational institutions.

Each instructor is anointed of God, living out the word, and shares a burning desire to fulfill the Great Commission.

The Bible selection of each instructor is found in the following passage:

"The things that thou has heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also." - 2Timothy 2:2

New Hope School of Ministries Student Application

We trust that as you have reviewed the handbook, you share the importance of NHSM.  If, after seeking the Lord for direction, you sense the Holy Spirit prompting you to enroll, please complete the Student Application and return it to us as quickly as possible.

Please answer each question completely, so that your application may be properly and efficiently processed.  Every question is important in the evaluation process.  If the question does not apply, simply write N/A.

Your application, along with a non-refundable fee that will be applied against the tuition, should be submitted no later than orientation.  Please see the NHSM handbook or contact the office for the application.  If you have any questions or need an application, call Steve McGraw, Director of NHSM, at (941) 348-0122.