We Can't Do It Without You!

The Baptist Institute exists to strengthen the Pittsburgh Baptist community. We are a non-profit organization operated independently from any church, denomination, association, or seminary. 

Church Partners work with us in these key ways:

1. Identifying Men and Women Called to Serve.

Pastors and church leaders are trained in churches. Education is important, but churches need to provide real opportunities for ministry as well as assessing the spiritual gifts of ministry candidates. We require our students to be engaged in church life under the direction of the pastor and church leaders. This is why we require students to include a Pastor's Certificate of Active and Engaged Church Ministry as part of the application process.

2. Providing Internship Opportunities 

The Apostle Paul trained Timothy and Titus, among others. In the same way, pastors are called to train students to be sure the church has qualified leaders. Church Partners are our network for placing student interns for short or longer periods depending on the needs of the student and the church. Students rely on our partner churches for ministry opportunities that allow them to test their gifts and skills as they prepare to pastor and lead their own churches.

3. Providing Financial Support for Students and Programs

The true cost of providing graduate, seminary-level instruction for students is much higher than the tuition we charge. BIP Church Partners help us continue to offer high-quality courses at an approachable cost. This is a huge savings for the student and may make all the difference for a student counting the cost of attendance. Church partnerships pay for student tuition discounts and instructor stipends, not buildings. We operate with limited overhead costs in space graciously loaned to us by some of our key Church Partners.

4. Advising Us on Church Needs

We are concerned about churches as well as students. We want to build up men and women for active ministry and to do that we need your input. BIP Church Partners are a network of pastors and church leaders we engage in discussion about programs, internships, and ministry opportunities for "Strengthening Pittsburgh Baptists in faith, doctrine, and unity." 

Current Church Partners

All tuition at BIP directly supports instruction. We are truly grateful to our current church partners for their ongoing support that helps us "keep the lights on." We couldn't do it without them!
Please consider asking your church to become a church partner and join with us as well. No gift is too small!