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Someone has said, “In preparing for battle, I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.” Hmmm… Well, anyway, you may want to hear what CBS-Asia’s plans are for the year 2006. And just in case you are still looking at that confusing quotation above trying to figure out what it actually means I have a quotation that seems clear. “Nelaton, the great French surgeon, once said that if he had four minutes in which to perform operation on which a life depended, he would take one minute to consider how best to do it.” CBS-Asia talked to delegates of the recent biennial conference andconsidered how best CBS-Asia will do this year. Here are the plans of CBS-Asia for this year, which Rev. Nicky Joya, Executive Director of the seminary presented during the 2006 CBAP National Assembly held at Greenhills Christian Fellowship - Ortigas Center.
Well-Equipped REGIONAL TRAINING CENTERS (RTC) The goal of the seminary is to continue to enhance its training centers by helping to set up libraries and computers for research purposes. CBS-Asia plans to make RTC resource centers as well where students and pastors may study, prepare sermons, and the like.  Rev. Nicky Joya presents an initial set of books to Elder Raul Caguin. In addition, CBS-Asia will also seek to helphost churches improve RTC facilities. A 10th RTC will commence providing theological training early January 2006—Lucena in the Quezon Province. The host for this new RTC is Lucena Baptist Church. Academically credentialed and effective FACULTY CBS-Asia will continue its efforts to accelerate the development of its faculty for the seminary’s various educational programs and training centers. The focus of the seminary’s scholarship funds is on faculty development. At present, CBS-Asia is expecting to graduate Ronaldo Macam (Th. D.), Danny Medina (D. Min.), John Pesebre (Th. M.), Norbert Manzano (M. Div. in Biblical Studies), Joel Macatangay (M. Div. in Pastoral Studies), Eduardo Baldemor (M.A. in Counseling) and Eyriche Cortez (M. Div. in Bible Exposition). In addition to the above scholars, there are eight CB pastors currently enrolled in the Philippine Baptist Theological School (PBTS) extension class in Nueva Ecija center, which Pastor Ronald Macam facilitates for the MA in Ministry degree course. Part of the commitment of these pastors is to teach at the Nueva Ecija RTC. To date, two pastors are already teaching. Increase Credibility through distinguished VISITING PROFESSORS The seminary has a pool of highly qualified local professors. Yet it is also CBS-Asia’s thrust to increase its credibility through partnerships with various institutions abroad that will help reinforce its faculty by sending distinguished professors. Most recent is the teaching stint of Dr. Brent Garrison (see front page article), Ph. D. in Educational Administration (Pensacola Christian College). He taught Church Management in December 2005. Dr. Garrison is the President of South Western College in Phoenix, Arizona in the USA. His record of accomplishment is impressive. He has taught at a Christian high school in the field of science, college courses in business and leadership at LeTourneau University (where he won “Teacher of the Year”). He also taught courses in Bible and Christian Education in Moody Bible Institute’s Graduate Division. He was a professor at the Joshua Institute in Hume Lake, CA. He had a visiting scholar program at the Siping Normal University through English Language Institute of China. He also co-authored a book on spiritual disciplines with world- renowned and best-selling author Don Whitney. CBS-Asia also had the privilege of having Rev. Don Furrow as guest professor. He taught Pastoral Epistles in June of 2005. Rev. Furrow has both a Bachelor of Divinity and Master of Divinity on Literature and New Testament Language from Talbot Theological Seminary. He currently pastors Stardust Bible Church in Arizona, USA. He was also an adjunct in New Testament Languages and Literature at Talbot Theological Seminary and the Master’s Seminary, and an adjunct professor of philosophy and ethics atthe Antelope Valley Community College. We look forward to have more distinguished professors visit CBS-Asia and minister to our students. Aggressive PROMOTIONS  A new RTC is about to open in Lucena, Quezon. The goal for each RTC is to have a minimum of twenty (20) students, and two (2) courses offered every quarter – a total goal of 400 students being developed for local church leadership. CBS-Asia will further develop the Seminary’s banner program, the PASTORAL MINISTRIES PROGRAM (PMP). CBS-Asia will seek to improve the PMP by adding facilities at the Guesthouse, setting up a preaching laboratory (complete with video cameras, LCD projector, sound system, and recording instruments), and providing books and other resources to PMP students. The goal is to have 15 to 20 new PMP students every school year. As of the writing of this article, eleven students have already enrooled in the new cycle of the PMP. Lastly, CBS-A will also appoint a Field Education Officer to enhance its field ministry component. The Challenge of Low Cost In doing the task of providing theological training to various churches, CBS-Asia’s goal is to do so at the least possible cost. The fee that the seminary charges is extremely low as compared to most Bible colleges and institutions, while still providing an excellent quality of education. In addition, whenever God permits, CBS-Asia provides students with various useful resources such as study Bibles, reference and theological books, etc. However and in spite of these, many students, particularly the pastors and church workers still find it extremely difficult to pay the required fees. This is understandable since most of them earn a meager salary and can barely sustain the basic needs of their families.  Pastor Gilbert Delim teaching a class in Agoo, La Union
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