History of the Sword of the Spirit Bible Institute
“…Write the vision, and make it plain upon the tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” Habakkuk 2:3
On November 11, 1995 this vision became a reality when Sword of the Spirit Bible Institute, an entity of Randall Ministries opened its doors to a four-course curriculum that was held on Saturday mornings. Courses in Old/New Testament Survey, Spiritual Gifts I, The Gospel of John, and Homiletics I, were offered during that first semester. The student body increased from five students to nearly sixty students in just a matter of weeks. SSBI at that time had only one instructor, Dr. Earl A. Ross, who tirelessly taught all four courses.
Due to the overwhelming response and growth, SSBI expanded by adding a six-week summer session consisting of Old/New Testament Survey, The Book of John, Homiletics I and Survey of Church History. Survey of Church History became a mandatory course for all church leaders. In the fall of 1996, the Lord blessed us again to be able to add five additional classes.
The Institute grew both spiritually and numerically to the point that in the Fall of 1997, not only did we add four more instructors to accommodate for the growth which has now exceeded to more than eighty-four students; Thursday night classes were also added. We continued to teach and operate from a Spirit of Excellency realizing that as serious as we took these courses, would be as serious as we would take our ministries.
In 1997 Rev. Sharon Holmes was appointed Academic Dean of the Sword of the Spirit Bible Institute. At that time, she aggressively pursued various accrediting agencies for SSBI. After consulting God and Pastor Ross a decision was made to apply for membership to the International Christian Accreditation Association (ICAA) and the Oral Roberts University Educational Fellowship (ORUEF). In the fall of 1997 SSBI became an applicant member of ORUEF and made application with ICAA.
In February of 1998, SSBI instituted a monthly Chapel Service which is held every fourth Saturday, from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM. SSBI opened its own school library in honor of Sister Hallie R. Dowd.
In November 1998, SSBI moved from Sargent Road in Washington, D.C. to its current location 4417 Douglas Street, N.E. Washington, D.C.
In June 1999, Sword of the Spirit Bible Institute graduated its first class of 82 students.
Our school motto is: We Don’t Train, We Teach! For if we train you, then you will do things by instinct, but if we teach you to think, then nothing becomes impossible. “So let this mind be in you; which was also in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:5
