Tuition-Free Bible Education

Tuition-Free Bible Education

The Contenders Discipleship Initiative (CDI) is a two-year program offered by Village Missions to equip Christians for ministry within their local church and to prepare those who are called for full-time ministry as missionary pastors.

The CDI program is tuition-free and involves two components:

  1. Biblical Education
  2. Mentoring for Ministry

The Biblical component is a rigorous but compact curriculum delivered in six courses. The Mentoring component is provided by a pastor/mentor. Successful completion of the Contenders Discipleship Initiative program satisfies the educational requirements of Village Missions for missionary applicants.

The CDI program is tuition-free and involves two components:

  1. Biblical Education
  2. Mentoring for Ministry

The Biblical component is a rigorous but compact curriculum delivered in six courses. The Mentoring component is provided by a pastor/mentor. Successful completion of the Contenders Discipleship Initiative program satisfies the educational requirements of Village Missions for missionary applicants.

Where Do I Start?

Student

Students

Welcome to an adventure in discovering God’s Word! If you are part of a CDI classroom or an individual self-study student, this is where you start. Once you register you will be able to access all of our CDI courses for free.

Instructor

Local Instructors

Welcome to equipping the saints for ministry! If you are a pastor or a Bible study teacher leading a CDI class, you’ll start here! Once you have registered as a local instructor you will be able to access all of our course materials for free.

Get Started Today!

All of our courses are free to take! Start with “Bibliology and How to Study the Bible,” then progress through the courses in order. Each course is built from the knowledge gained from previous courses. Click the “Learn More” button to get started!

Bibliology lays the foundation for studying the Bible. This part of the course integrates multiple subjects and provides an understanding of what the Bible is, how it was written and why it is to be studied.

Learn more

27 Lessons
Free
This course provides a comprehensive overview of the major doctrines of the Bible, putting them in the context of a systematic theology.  The ‘Target model’ approach helps students to differentiate between doctrines to die for, doctrines to defend, doctrines to discuss and doctrines to dismiss.

Learn more

44 Lessons
Free
This course covers the culture, history, and geography of the New Testament and in a systematic way surveys the content of each individual book. You will also learn about the authorship, date and readership of the books of the New Testament.

Learn more

48 Lessons
Free
This course presents the Old Testament as Jesus presented it to His disciples: "And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself." (Luke 24:27) As Paul told Timothy, these are “the Holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise unto Salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 3:15)

Learn more

39 Lessons
Free
This composite course looks at the History, Theology, Nature and Ministry of the Church. The reading schedule includes books on the history of Christianity, the development of Christian theology and the history of Christian martyrs. Video sessions deal with Ecclesiology (the doctrine of the Church) and the Scriptural ministry given to the Church.

Learn more

21 Lessons
Free
Evangelism to reach the soul with the Gospel, Teaching to instruct the mind in sound doctrine, and Preaching to move the heart with the Word of God. This three-part course is highly participatory and great emphasis is placed upon student involvement in speaking in front of others. Group exercises are designed to build confidence while minimizing the natural stress that comes from public speaking.

Learn more

21 Lessons
Testimonial from Maire Fissori
Attending Contenders forced me to learn how to articulate my beliefs in a systematic and organized way. I was challenged to come up with a doctrinal statement that reflected what I believed personally and I was given the tools to study the word of God in-depth. The courses were a feast of spiritual knowledge and insight and the Holy Spirit used them to draw me into a closer relationship with Jesus as well as with other Christians.
Marie Fissori, CDI student

Our Online Instructors

Our CDI online instructors were selected to provide you with a solid foundation in your Christian education. Each has decades of ministry experience as pastors and teachers. All have a heart for God’s people and a love for God’s Word.

Ron Sallee

Ron Sallee

Founder of Contenders Discipleship Initiative. Has been teaching Bibliology & How to Study the Bible since 1977.

Ken Ainsworth

Ken Ainsworth

Pastor of Canyon Community Church and instructor for the Christian Doctrine and Systematic Theology course.

Vernal Wilkinson

Vernal Wilkinson

Retired Village Missionary. Dr. Wilkinson is the CDI instructor for the New Testament Survey course.

Cliff Horr

Cliff Horr

Pastor of San De Fuca Community Chapel and instructor for the Old Testament Survey course.

Russell Richardson

Russell Richardson

Pastor of Sauvie Island Community Church and instructor for the Church History course.

Robert Dore

Robert Dore

Retired Village Missionary. CDI instructor for the Evangelism, Teaching and Preaching course.

Donate to Village Missions today!

Help Us Provide a Tuition-Free Education

The Lord has used the CDI program to equip believers, train ministry leaders, and strengthen churches all over the world! The faithfulness and generosity of so many partners in ministry have helped make that possible. In order to keep the CDI available and accessible we need your help! Would you please consider how the Lord might use you to support the work of CDI?