Principles of learning in GraceWorld Discipleship College
01.
Learn Thai
No matter what country the students come from. We require them learning to read and write Thai. Our center is located in Thailand. For Myanmar and Laos, after all, Thailand is also their focal country. It is much better to learn Thai as a main language for them before returning to their own countries or staying in Thailand by their choices in the future. Especially the Thai government now sends teachers to adult schools, and students can graduate from high school in six years. Therefore, it is a wonderful opportunity for students who did not have the opportunity to be educated when they were younger.
02.
Learn Chinese
This is our core philosophy that no matter from what ethnic tribes the students come to the center, Chinese is another main language for them. Therefore, we established the GraceWorld Chinese School to allow students to learn Chinese through a step-by-step curriculum. We start from the first grade of elementary school to the third grade of junior high school. For students who have completed junior high school, they are sent to the evening schools in the city to attend high schools.
03.
Learn music
Music is attractive to young people in modern era. In this generation, there are fewer and fewer things that young people can focus on, especially in the mist of telecommunication technology. People in large cities or small places have their different pastimes. Social networking through mobile phone becomes a chronic virus, which gradually devours interpersonal relationships and warm family connections. All communication is replaced by “looking down at the screen”. Thank the Lord! He also gives us music which never fails to attract people of different ages to come and enjoy together, including our young people. So, we teach them various musical instruments or skills such as piano, guitar, drums, dance, choir, etc. In accordance to personal preferences, students can choose to sing or dance or play instruments, so that their musical talent can be fully explored.
04.
Study the Bible
This is our ultimate goal for students in our Discipleship College. It is really difficult for young people nowadays to know God, follow God, and dedicate themselves to serving God. We must start with the needs of young people and their interests, and spend most time of a day in studying the Bible. There is an average of five hours a day to learn the Word of God. We believe that “the gospel is the power of God” not only to save all those who believe in Jesus Christ, but also to change people’s lives. Teachings of man are often weak and limited, but God’s words are all powerful. Therefore, no matter how the road ahead is taken, take the current time and opportunities available to grow and equip with God’s words and God will guide us through in all circumstances.
05.
Practical internship
In addition to studies in classroom, our students also have many opportunities to go to remote villages and mountainous areas to share the gospel. Every Christmas, we go to the Burmese area in northern Thailand to help churches celebrate the Christmas season or organize Christmas outreach. The students use their performing skills in dance, poetry or crafts (haircut) or acupuncture to take part in the ministry, and also take the opportunity to share the gospel with children. During holidays, students are arranged to go to the mountainous area to teach and live among the locals. Every day, they teach the youngsters playing guitar, singing and reading/writing Chinese. Students learn and experience sharing the gospel with others.
06.
After the college study
When students have completed the courses in our Discipleship College, some students may work in the secular world because of their personal circumstances. When some students have clear calls from the Lord to serve Him full time, we will send them to a seminary according to their qualifications. They continue their theology studies in Thai or Chinese and may then return to our center to serve in the ministry appropriate to their skills. Some students continue their studies in the university, and then come back to work in the GraceWorld Foundation afterwards. Of course, there are also students who immediately stay behind to serve after completing their studies in our college because GraceWorld foundation’s ministry is so diverse to allow more young people to serve. Therefore, the Discipleship College not only gives young people the opportunity to learn in many ways, but also the opportunity to serve or work. In 2018, four students graduated from high school, two from Thai schools and two from Chinese schools. Two of them went to a seminary for theology studies, and the other two went to Thai universities.
07.
Other opportunity
As a token of rewarding students who achieve academically, fervently pursue God’s will and serve diligently as well, we may send them abroad for English studies during the holiday period. We believe English remains an important language in Thailand.