Akha Bible Seminary
Raising up the next generation of leaders for Christ.
Discipleship atmosphere
Akha Bible Seminary
Akha Bible Seminary is the only full-time Bible school in the Akha language. We opened in 2002 as a long-awaited response to the lack of biblically-trained Akha leaders. Our students live and study for three years at the House of Joy compound. This nurtures a family atmosphere, benefiting both the children and the Bible students alike. Their fourth year is spent interning in Akha villages where they put into practice their new-found scriptural knowledge.
Our first semester began in May 2002 with two full-time staff and fifteen students eager to fill the need for Akha leaders in the Akha church. In March 2006, eleven students became the first graduating class. Each year a new class of fifteen students begins their studies, sustaining the current size of the school at around sixty students.
Young and old learning and growing together
Our Students
Our students range in age from 16 to 30. Many have only completed a 9th grade Thai education, but some do not even speak Thai when they come to us. This is not a problem, however, since our curriculum is in the Akha language. Still, we do a two-week crash course in how to read and write Akha at the beginning of the first year. In addition, most of our students come from broken backgrounds, just like our children, and we see our school not only as a place for training but also as a place of healing and restoration. Read Anm’s story: Immigrant to Princess.
Transformation through Biblical education
The Curriculum
Our curriculum includes both traditional courses such as Old Testament Survey as well as individual counseling sessions and teachings on spiritual warfare. Second and third year students participate in weekend internships in the villages, and fourth year students spend a full school year in a village learning practical ministry alongside a trusted Akha pastor. In addition, Akha Bible Institute partners with the Thai government in providing free adult education to our students, allowing them to complete their 9th or 12th grade level education and receive a certificate similar to a GED.
Dedication in everyday life
The Outcome
Over half of Akha Bible Seminary students go into full-time ministry, many of them returning to their home villages to start a church. They often return to the compound to celebrate special events with the AOF family. We also hold alumni retreats, which have been very popular. In addition, many of our current staff at Akha Outreach are graduates of Akha Bible Institute. Read Atu’s story: Why Won’t You Be Like Other Sons?
Invest in Christian leadership
How You Can Help
Most of our students are from impoverished families and so we keep our tuition minimal: about $170 per year (full-time room and board for nine months out of the year). However, this does not cover operating expenses for the school and we need additional support for these costs. If you would like to contribute to training Akha leaders at our Bible school, please click here: Support the Bible school.
Our incredible team are here for you
Nicole Williams
Company Director
"Profit in business comes from repeat customers; customers that boast about your product and service, and that bring friends with them."
Bjorn Gunnarson
Head of Design
"Loyal customers, they don’t just come back, they don’t simply recommend you, they insist that their friends do business with you."
Charlotte Banks
Research & Development
"You’ll never have a product or price advantage again. They can be easily duplicated, but a strong customer service culture can’t be copied."
Sam Gallagher
Customer Support
"Get closer than ever to your customers. So close that you tell them what they need well before they realize it themselves."
In the press
