The Restoration Movement, advocated in the Upper Ohio River Valley over 100 years ago by men such as Thomas and Alexander Campbell and Walter Scott, still thrives. Pure New Testament Christianity is still followed by numerous congregations throughout the region. West Virginia School of Preaching is dedicated to instilling in its students biblical knowledge and loyalty to the New Testament pattern.
West Virginia School of Preaching had its beginning in August of 1994. Its first graduating class of six in 1996 accepted works with congregations in West Virginia and Kansas. The second graduating class of four in 1997 accepted works with congregations in Ohio and Alabama. The third graduating class of five in 1998 labor in West Virginia and Ohio. Presently, 10 students are engaged in the first and second year classes of the intensive two-year program. Two of these 10 entered WVSOP in the middle of their first-year classes and are scheduled to graduate this winter after completing the first two quarters of instruction.
Unlike four-year institutions that afford a measure of leisure while acquiring an education, WVSOP essentially compresses four years of instruction into two calendar school years. Therefore, students cannot be secularly employed while enrolled at West Virginia School of Preaching. They do, however, ordinarily work with area congregations while enrolled in classes.
Think of WVSOP as a Bible-boot-camp of two years duration. Typically, students participate in a 30 minute chapel program and six hours class time daily Monday through Friday. They are expected to spend an equal amount of time out of class on their studies, research papers, assigned reading, etc. Students are in great demand for appointment and fill-in preaching. Also, they have been invited to participate in area Gospel meetings and church lectureship programs.
A new home for West Virginia School of Preaching was recently built on property adjoining the existing facilities of the Hillview Terrace church of Christ in Moundsville. Staff, faulty and students moved into the new school building to begin classes for the fall sessions of 1998. Sister congregations and individual Christians are to be commended for their prayerful, moral and financial participation in this undertaking. Please continue to remember WVSOP and send us men who earnestly desire to better prepare themselves to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ.