Comments by a Graduate of the DPM Program Amarilis Flores Bermúdez; April 13, 2010. También en Español. (Translation by Babylon; and edited by K. Swift)
To whom it may concern: I write to share my experience with the online InterGlobal Institute, where I completed the Diploma for Practical Ministries, from the end of 2007 until the beginning of 2009. During that period I had many challenges. The classes of the Institute were part of them. With full-time work, two daughters, 4 and 7 years old, and, along with my husband, pastoring a growing church of more than 100 members during the last 5 years – the studies were not an option for me, but rather - an immediate need.
I live in Ponce, Puerto Rico, and, I understand that I answered the pastoral call without being fully prepared, unfortunately. Although my husband is the Senior Pastor, ignorance is not good in the “business” of the Lord. I did not know much about how to study the Bible. I would just read it, and I tried to understand it. Nor did I have missionary experience. I belonged to a local alliance of independent churches, where I studied the lessons taught by the Pastors. But I had no specific courses for the preparation of new ministers. This work depended heavily on the dedication of the Pastors in charge of these new ministers.
Then by means of a man of God I greatly admire, John Edmiston, I learned about the institute of InterGlobal. In a way, I enrolled to see what it would be like to study online. This worked for me.
I enrolled to complete the Diploma in Practical Ministries (DPM). Then I began to learn about the ministry as a whole. The program is not just learning about the Bible, but includes the society where you are, the people, their customs; what “the church” means, its work. I realized I had a lack of faith, because of ignorance. Things that seem as simple as missions or sharing Jesus, transformed my life and my church. Other very useful courses were: Methods Of Study, The Families Of The Bible, How To Present Sermons, and Counseling.
In addition to this, I thank God for the enriching experience of dialoging online with other people: missionaries, pastors, leaders and with other brothers – sharing their situations, unique yet similar experiences.
Up to a certain way these studies were part of my routine. At the end of the program I was offered the opportunity to assist as a tutor in a class. I accepted - thinking it was simple. But – not so! Since that first class I have admired the teachers more because they made me see their work as something easy. All that time they succeeded in keeping me interested in learning, attending the online forums, and completing the challenging tasks with care. Even my husband realized my enthusiasm and we had many conversations about the material. They made me wish to learn to be a competent minister, “approved”, as Scripture says. I would like to be able to achieve that with the students in the class I am tutoring.
You may think that facilitating online classes is simple and easy. The reality is that the challenge is greater than when “in person”. Part of my experience has been that a simple sentence may be easily misinterpreted. And a difference of opinion may be perceived as a personal attack, without being so. So you have to be aware of how one expresses yourself. It is important to develop a personal relationship with someone whose sole reference about you – is a photo. So I am still learning to be alert to issues that I never was conscious of previously. It is not the same thing being a student, as being in the shoes of a teacher online. And they made it all look so easy!
Only one more thing. My husband earned a doctorate in Theology, but I could not consider doing it because the cost was way too high, so we decided that he would get his degree first, and later, if possible, I would study.
In my view, InterGlobal allowed me to gain a very high level preparation at a cost that is accessible to anyone. One thing of note is that many ministers are not prepared because they cannot pay the high costs. Despite this, the dedication of the teachers is admirable. In each course, I had to take time to study, read and submit papers, which I believe were reviewed in full by the teachers. (Some even corrected my grammar!) This really surprised me and I felt obligated to respond with the same dedication.
I am very honored to assist this group of teachers (as a tutor), even if it is a miniscule task. I always felt that they were ready to help me. And I cannot leave out mentioning Mabel, who always so graciously responded without delay to any doubt or question.
As “Pastora”, I thank all those who contribute to this ministry. My words here are few because I have in my care hundreds of lives and now I am better prepared, not in psychology, or humanism, but as it relates to the ministry. I can say without a doubt that part of the great changes that God made in my personal and ministerial life – is due to the influence of a wonderful collection of teachers. They crossed the impersonal barrier of cyberspace, and little by little I came to see them as friends and people that one appreciates and admires. I hold them in very high esteem, because thanks to them and the vision of InterGlobal, I now have the tools to better accomplish the work that God gave me.
Sincerely, Amarilis Flores Bermúdez; Pastor, Tabernacle de Trinidad, Yauco, Puerto Rico April 13, 2010
There is a lot involved in providing classes online!
What InterGlobal does:
Teach students online!
Manage online student registration.
Provide personalized student “help-desk” (email and/or Skype video cam).
Coordinate class scheduling with professors, and assist them.
Technically maintain the eCampus, IDyHACED.net, where all eClasses reside.
Pay for a premium server service with Slicehost.com, for fast, “always online”, dependable eCampus internet service.
Manage student tuition payments through PayPal, personal check, or, now through cash deposits at local banks (in four countries to-date).
Develop curriculum and build eClasses for professors.
Provide eCampus services for other Christian eLearning institutions.
Quite a task! And through it all – church leaders receive Bible and skills training for ministry. This is what we do!
There is more to it than meets the eye! As Janie Cheaney said recently, “There’s no such thing as a “virtual human”. Just as the cyber-world requires an immense scaffolding of skilled labor, so we need practical skills to connect with our society and ourselves.”(World Magazine. “Manual underdrive”, by Janie B. Cheaney; July 18, 2009)
Thank You! FROM Your InterGlobal Internet Missionaries, Keith & Denise Swift Training the Trainers!
Dear Friend, The ministry continues to advance in its development. Thank you for making this possible, amigo. Your partnership in giving – really counts here. Sure appreciate you.
Founding Objective. We have always aimed to assist other institutions in their efforts to incorporate online learning. One of InterGlobal’s main objectives from its inception: “ENABLE OTHERS TO E-TEACH. …Contribute to regional training goals; Train multiple educators to be e-teachers”. (*Remember: “e” = “electronic”.)
Over the years several organizations have had leaders take our eTeacher training program (“How to teach online”). Christian pastors and professors are “learning the ropes” here – in our “train the trainers” eLearning Series. InterGlobal trains leaders in the principles of eTeaching and curriculum construction online – training (in Spanish) which no other evangelical institution provides (to my knowledge). I am totally “stoked” to see InterGlobal assisting evangelical institutions in this way. Yahooo! By the way, this eTeacher training we provide – is how all our InterGlobal teachers got their start online.
Dr. Peter Larson, IG Board member and eTeacher, is also active in PRODOLA, a doctoral eProgram (also in Spanish). Peter says, “InterGlobal has greatly influenced the direction of several online programs, such as PRODOLA, and UNELA in Costa Rica. What InterGlobal is doing has been a model for others in theological education in the Latin world.”-Dr. Peter Larson, IG Board member and eTeacher
Banking In-Country. I would appreciate your prayers for us with this bank project. Students cannot easily send us tuition payments. So we are taking the huge step of establishing bank accounts “in-country”. This way a cash deposit can be made locally, nationwide for InterGlobal. Pray that more partners will be found to open and manage these accounts for InterGlobal. We are in five countries so far. Student Comments Translated from Spanish. I really enjoy “training the trainers”. One APE.020 student in the eLearning Series, preparing to teach online, said: ¨...my desire is to learn what is necessary to contribute to education in the church, using the new technologies to make training and education accessible - something the Church so needs for its continued formation and for its diverse ministries.¨ These eTeachers are the new wave of leadership training – for a more biblical church leadership worldwide!
Funding of InterGlobal. We need more funding. You can be a part of this, right here - by way of InterGlobal! Exciting!
Is your “final graduation” planned? Please consider including InterGlobal in your will.
We have many projects “on the drawing board” just waiting for major funding. Make things happen!
Estate and Asset Donations.You can avoid capital gains tax by giving stocks and real estate to InterGlobal.
Endowment Giving. You can donate anytime: vehicles, boats, trains and planes, and small islands! Seriously though – please do remember InterGlobal in your estate planning. Store some treasures in heaven – through Kingdom giving here with InterGlobal!
Help InterGlobal train more biblical church leaders!
Your support is very much needed. Funding is down about 20%. But we are holding steady. Don’t forget to pray for InterGlobal! We train church leaders online - in Spanish!
Email me at
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or write us at our headquarters in California:
Instituto InterGlobal P.O. Box 1526 Big Bear Lake, CA 92315 USA
InterGlobal trains church leaders online... mainly in Spanish. We are assisting local church leaders with training - to live and minister more biblically. Utilize InterGlobal to train YOUR leaders - online. See: Online is Effective.
Links Out Be aware that InterGlobal contains links out of our site, to third party websites. These obviously are not owned or controlled by IG, so be alert. IG cannot control what other sites contain. NOTICE: You are responsible for where you go online. By using our website, you expressly release InterGlobal from any and all liabilities that may arise from your use of our links out. Be aware, read site policies.
Training Church Leaders Online
Online Is Effective 
Your support is very much needed. Funding is down about 20%. But we are holding steady.
