COURSES AND PROGRAMS

STARTING OUT

Bible College & Seminary Level Training Programs

All courses begin with The Foundations of Theology and Personal Evangelism Training.

Bible College & Seminary Level Training Programs

Associate, Bachelor, Master, and Doctor level programs in Biblical Studies, Ministry, and Theology

Certificate Programs

Bible College & Seminary Level Training Programs

Certificate Programs

Dispensational Theology - Old Scofield Study Bible (2 Years)

Dispensational Bible Study - Right Division (2 Years)

OVERVIEW OF PMI CENTER DISTANCE EDUCATION STUDY OPPORTUNITY

The PMI Center is a very unique school. We began in 1981 with the belief that our incarcerated Christian friends deserved the same quality Bible and ministry education provided to those studying through the best distance education schools in the nation. We believe we provide that quality and after Luther Rice Seminary- the undisputed pioneer in distance education- reviewed our materials they agreed and congratulated us for achieving that integral goal.

► RECOGNITION

The PMI Center has achieved NATIONAL RECOGNITION as a leader in non-traditional Bible study education. Since 1981, we have enrolled over 30,000 students while having served as a referral school for well-respected ministries such as Jack Van Impe, Bill Glass, Billy Graham, and many others. Under the leadership of the Lord Jesus Christ, our goal has always been to equip evangelists, pastors and teachers with the inerrant, infallible, inspired Scriptures, so that they may win souls, disciple their converts, and earnestly contend for the faith (Jude 1:3).

► STEPS FOR ENROLLMENT

Enrollment begins by requesting Lesson 1 of the 8 Lesson Foundations of Theology Study Course Project. Upon completion, the student will receive a certificate of completion and an application for enrollment to the PMI Center's college and seminary level courses.

► OUR MANDATE

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world (Matthew 28:19-20). The Great Commission is Christ's mandate for reaching the world with the Gospel. This has also been our mandate here at the PMI Center since the day we opened our doors in 1981. What a joy it has been through the years to train thousands of watchmen on the wall (Isa. 62:6; Jer. 51.12; Ezek. 3:17; etc) while at the same time observing some common qualities that makes them meet for the Master's use. This includes a daily regimen of prayer and the ministry of the word (Acts 6:4), a hunger for holy and righteous living, a willing heart (Ex. 35:5, 21-22, 29, etc), and an evangelistic mindset that seeks the lost and shares Christ with them. Needless to say these are all winners and I'm asking the Lord Jesus to send me many more that I can mentor for Him (2 Tim. 2:2). Perhaps YOU are an answer to that prayer!

► OUR METHOD

And brought in the offerings and the tithes . . . faithfully (2 Chronicles 31:12). God's funding method for ministry doesn't operate in a vacuum; it’s a two-way proposition made possible by obedience to the Holy Spirit’s prompting. Here’s how that works: When God wants something done, He burdens the heart of one of His servants [the winners I mentioned above] to do it, then burdens others to pay for it. Asking is the vehicle that brings these two obedient parties together. You may recall that Moses asked for money (Ex. 35-36), David asked (1 Chron. 29:1-20), King Hezekiah asked (2 Chron. 31:4), Nehemiah asked (Neh. 2:7-8), Paul asked (1 Cor. 16:1-4) and so did many others. We also ask for support per month per student. I wish you could read the letters from precious family members and friends of our students who consider it a privilege- not a problem- to help us make these Bible study programs possible. These are truly hearts of joy unspeakable and full of glory (1 Pet. 1:8). But as priceless as these testimonies are to us, what may be the hallmark of unselfishness is the way in which our students generously help support themselves with monthly offerings of money and stamps. We are so proud of these dear souls who have so little and yet possess the giant Christ-honoring hearts of givers—not takers. These precious ones are like David who really understood the meaning of sacrifice in support of God's work: Neither will I offer . . . unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing (2 Sam. 24:24). One day you may discover this in a church or ministry of your own where money is necessary for reaching and teaching souls for Christ. Believe me, Scripture is clear about reciprocity: How you respond here may well determine how others respond to you at a later time (read: Luke 6:38; Gal. 6:7-8).

► OUR MESSAGE

Please hear me dear friend. There's a world that's dying and going to hell all around us and the time for reaching them is rapidly slipping through our fingers. I am looking for people with a burden for the lost; people who desire to be trained for Christian service. God trusted us with the only message that saves people from Hell (1 Thessalonians 2:4) and He expects us to take that message to those who need it. If you have a hunger for God's Word and want to see people saved, write for your first lesson today.

Shalom,

Dr. Ted Horton (Eph. 2:8-9)
Member of International Network of Prison Ministries

PS: One more important matter. My files are bulging with unfulfilled pledges from uncommitted students who in their zeal to impress me enough to approve their application put their hand to the plough and then looked back (Luke 9:62). If that describes you, either quit quitting or forget about going into the ministry; it's NOT for you!

Frequently Asked Questions

Please send an email to drted@pmiministries.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.

What is the doctrinal position of the PMI Center?

We stand without apology as independent, fundamental, dispensational King James Bible advocates in the Old Scofield Study Bible tradition. If you don’t have a KJV, we will mail (US only) a nice soft cover edition or a bonded leather Old Scofield Bible (KJV) for a gift to PMI. Please contact us for current pricing.

(Sorry, there are no funds available for FREE Bibles currently. Perhaps upon your release you will help us establish a fund to offer them).

Can I receive credit for my ministry experience or from other Bible courses I’ve taken or taught?

Yes. This is called Advanced Standing which allows students to matriculate into- as well as graduate at- an advanced study level. Please request a DEGREE AND CREDIT EVALUATION (DACE) form to submit to PMI for an analysis.

You said this is a tuition free school so why are you asking for funds?

Tuition-free means we don’t charge per credit hour tuition fees to pay expenses. With that being said, please hear me, dear friend. Isn't it time we quit looking at giving to the Lord's work with disdain and began viewing it with delight instead? Paul commanded: Let him that is taught communicate unto (share with) him that teacheth (Gal. 6:6). Just as Moses asked for money (Ex. 35-36), David asked (1 Chron. 29:1-20), King Hezekiah asked (2 Chron. 31:4), Nehemiah asked (Neh. 2:7-8), and Paul asked (1 Cor. 16:1-4) for ministry money, we likewise ask for support per month per student (please contact us for details) to help pay our ongoing ministry expenses.

I’ve put my family and friends through enough. I won't ask them to help me or contribute to PMI.

Think carefully about this! The Bible teaches everything belongs to God (Job 41:11) and Christians are merely stewards of what the Lord owns (Luke 12:42-48; 1 Cor. 4:2). We are all therefore expected to give to the Lord out of that which He has loaned to us. Let me say that another way: we don’t own anything. Therefore, what we give isn’t really ours, it’s all His!! Now this is exciting. When we obey God by giving tithes and offerings from His money, He not only promises to provide seed to the sower (2 Cor. 9:10) but He blesses us for distributing WHAT HE HIMSELF PROVIDED. (Luke 6:38). Now here’s the caveat: When we don’t give to Him and His work, we are stealing from Him (Mal. 3:8-10); and God can’t bless a thief! Now, the question at hand isn't "should your friends and relatives give tithes and offerings to God's work?" but rather "where shall they give them?" Since 1981 PMI has proven to be a faithful and trustworthy storehouse for tithes and offerings. Therefore, when you deny your family and friends even an opportunity to receive a letter explaining our ministry and giving them a chance to help, you are actually usurping the work of the Holy Spirit by removing any opportunity whatsoever for God to touch their hearts and bless them for helping us help you.

I believe in tithing and I want to help PMI and sponsor myself. How much do prisoners usually pay? Can I give stamp offerings?

Thank you very much for your willingness to partner with us. You CANNOT EVER OUT GIVE GOD! But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully (2 Corinthians 9:6). The fact is, our inmate students are among the most obedient, generous, and willing givers on the planet. As the Lord speaks, these committed brethren respond with integrity and joy. We have students who give $100 per month, and some with a few dollars. God speaks to every heart and those who are obedient do what the Holy Spirit directs them to do. Stamps are always needed and very welcome.

What happens to students with no sponsors?

I wish this were not so, but if funds are not available in PMI, they may be placed in a hold file until money is available.

Do you ordain women?

No. Women students are offered and provided with non-pastoral studies.

Does PMI offer degrees?

No. PMI offers diplomas. Degrees are available without any additional work from our co-op college Calvary Christian College and Seminary. PMI will provide and handle all paperwork at the appropriate time.

Can I work on more than one study program at a time?

No! We used to allow this, but it didn’t work out.

Can I continue my studies when I’m back in the Free World?

Yes. Be sure to call or email Dr. Ted when released.

What programs do you offer?

Everything is enclosed in this Intro Pack.

Commitment and Cooperation

Beloved of Christ, one thing I’ve learned after 4 decades of Bible school ministry to prisoners can be summed up in the following sentence: There is no way I can assist you in preparing for the Lord’s work without full commitment and cooperation. Paul inspired words summarize precisely what I mean: Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire (1 Corinthians 3:8-15).

Commitment: Your matriculation into the PMI Center is a privilege demanding a full commitment. If you have what it takes, this commitment will set you upon a thrilling journey into the inerrant, infallible, inspired Word of the Living God most Christians will never make. As you’ll soon discover, our programs are by design deep, demanding and college seminary level. Every academic year will take you through the Bible from cover to cover one time along with completing your syllabi directed coursework which includes innumerable collateral reading and writing projects from various authors and topics ranging from Fundamentalism, Hermeneutics, Bibliology, Eschatology, Theology, and more; and all of them geared toward an inductive, informative, and intense learning experience that will challenge you now and last you a lifetime. Therefore, if you were hoping for a diploma or degree requiring little commitment, please find another school! PMI is not for you.

Cooperation: Some time ago a nationally recognized Bible school closed its doors citing financial hardships as the root cause. Thanks be unto God that PMI has been graciously blessed by the Lord since 1981 to provide our 20,000 plus students with uninterrupted seminary quality, TUITION FREE Bible and ministry training. TUITION FREE means that while we have expenses [1] to pay like anyone else, we have never charged prohibitive course fees of $100 per credit hour or more to pay for them. Instead, the Lord showed us in His Holy Word that His prescribed method for paying ministry expenses is through tithes and offerings from the heart and hand of His precious people who love prisoners and are led of God to assist in the faithful support of our ministry to them. With cooperation of this magnitude I now reveal to you my . . .

Commitment: I love this work that God has called me to and I'm committed to it and to you. I’m in my office 7 days per week (beginning EVERY MORNING with prayer followed by my through the Bible regimen, just as Dr. Mike was); the work and the expenses are relentless. I have three part time workers who help me with the mail and filing, but that still isn’t enough and we sometimes get a bit behind. If you are an impatient person given to short tempered harsh criticisms- please don’t enroll. As your mentor- and as God provides the resources- I am fully committed to educating, encouraging, and equipping you for whatever ministry the Lord Jesus is leading you to. However, if money is not available to purchase materials and meet expenses, I will be hindered, simple as that. That’s why I need your complete commitment as well as your unwavering faithful . . .

Cooperation: David was a man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22). Do you know why? He was willing to do whatever was necessary to get the Lord’s work done- and all without WHINING. Imagine that! When Araunah offered the future king a piece of sacred ground for nothing, he personally stepped up, saying: Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing (2 Samuel 24:24). He knew there was a cause, and with it- a cost. David was willing to do whatever was necessary to financially provide for the ministry God had called him to. Beloved, if David's heart of commitment to and cooperation with the ministry of God in some way characterizes you, I will delightfully anticipate your application to our school and matriculation into one of our acclaimed Bible college and seminary level training programs from which I will help prepare you to the best of my ability!

I’ll close with a quick story about the time DL Moody heard Charles Haddon Spurgeon set forth the following challenge: “The world is yet to see what God can do with a man who doesn’t care who gets the credit.” Moody returned to Chicago vowing: “By the grace of God I’ll be that man!” Could this sold-out-servant Spurgeon spoke about and Moody yearned to become- possibly be you? Your commitment and cooperation will tell me a lot.

[1] Typical Bible school expenses include- but are not limited to- computers, printers, paper, postage, ink/toner, envelopes, literature, books, rent, utilities, staff expenses, contract printing, missions (yes, we also tithe on our income), and other miscellaneous supplies and items that arise and are necessary if we are to continue in ministry. One day if you pastor a church, or head up a ministry organization, you'll understand this clearly :)