Continue your education with our
Graduate Program
A Master’s degree from Bear Valley Bible Institute strengthens your ministry by deepening your understanding of Scripture and sharpening your ability to lead and teach faithfully. Advanced study equips you to handle God’s Word with clarity, confidence, and sound judgment in real ministry situations.
Through close interaction with experienced instructors and fellow servants, the program also fosters spiritual growth and practical wisdom. Graduates are better prepared to serve people with humility, discernment, and effectiveness in the work God has called them to do.
Start your journey to a stronger ministry today!
Our program is designed flexibly enough for the active, local minister. You can complete your studies without leaving your current ministry.
We understand the busy life of a preacher. Your time is not always your own. Our “In-Ministry” courses provide the flexibility to work at your own pace as your schedule allows. Just complete the coursework within 90 days and you are good to go.
In-Ministry Courses
“Blitz Week” courses are offered in a 5-day format multiple times a year. Each course is held online from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (MST) Monday through Friday. The rest of the coursework is completed at home while you remain in ministry. You don’t even have to miss a Sunday to take the class.
Online Blitz Weeks
January 5 - 9, 2026
The Gospel of John
Dr. David Lipe, Ph.D.
March 23 - 27, 2026
Joshua, Judges, Ruth
Dr. Jerry Martin, Ph.D.
August 3 - 7, 2026
Advanced Hermeneutics
Dr. Denny Petrillo, Ph.D.
Upcoming Blitz Weeks
Learn from Experienced Ministers
Our staff is not just academically qualified; they have real-world ministry experience as well. These men will take you deeper into God’s word and help you become a stronger minister.
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Donnie Bates holds a B.B.S. and M.B.S. from the Bear Valley Bible Institute. Bates has worked with congregations in Texas, Missouri, Colorado and Oklahoma. He has done mission work in Chile, South America, as well as campaigns in Albania and Mexico. He has also taught in the Bear Valley extension schools in Honduras, Guatemala, Peru, Paraguay, Haiti, Tanzania, India and Nepal. He is the Dean of Graduate Studies for the Bear Valley Bible Institute in Denver, CO. He and his wife Noma have lived in Littleton, CO since 2012. To see Donnie's reports click here.
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David L. Lipe holds an A.A. degree and third year certificate from Freed-Hardeman University; a B.A. from Harding University, an M.A. from Harding School of Theology, a Ph.D. from The University of Tennessee, and an M.S. from The University of Memphis. Lipe has been preaching since 1967. He was a professor of Bible and Philosophy at Freed-Hardeman University from 1990-2010 and continues as adjunct faculty. Lipe became the Director of the Southeast Institute of Biblical Studies (formerly East Tennessee School of Preaching and Missions) in 2012. Lipe and his wife, Linda, reside in Baxter, TN.
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Jerry L. Martin has thirty-five years of preaching experience, is an instructor and Dean of the School of Human Services at Amridge University. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor. Brother Martin is a 1979 graduate of the Memphis School of Preaching. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Bible, a Master of Science degree in Counseling, and a PhD degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Amridge University in Montgomery, Alabama. He speaks in a number of gospel meeting and lectureship each year. He conducts seminars on marriage enrichment, conflict management, leadership development, and grief management. He and his wife Denise live in the Montgomery, AL area.
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Denny Petrillo holds a B.A. from Harding University, an M.A. from Harding Graduate School of Religion, and a Ph.D. in Religious Adult Education from the University of Nebraska. Petrillo has worked with congregations in Mississippi and Colorado, and was an instructor at York College. He is the President of the Bear Valley Bible Institute in Denver, CO, where he has been an instructor since 1984. Petrillo and his wife Kathy reside in Littleton, CO.
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Dan Owen holds a B.A. in Bible and Biblical languages from Oklahoma Christian University, an M.A. in Greek New Testament from Harding Graduate School of Religion, and a Ph.D. in Curriculum, Instruction, and Program Evaluation from Southern Illinois University. Owen has worked with congregations in Mississippi, Texas, and Kentucky. He also taught for six years at the Bear Valley Bible Institute and served as Academic Dean. He has been the pulpit minister for the Broadway church of Christ in Paducah, KY, since 1987. He and his wife Cindy reside in Paducah.
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Bart Warren holds a B.S. in Accounting from Oklahoma Christian University and an M.Div. from Freed-Hardeman University. Warren is currently the pulpit minister for the South Green Street church of Christ in Glasgow, KY and the associate editor of the Entrusted Word. He and his wife Laura reside in Glasgow, KY.
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Dave Chamberlin holds B.S. (University of Phoenix) and a M.B.S. (Bear Valley Bible Institute of Denver). Former missionary in New Zealand. Preacher in North Dakota and Colorado. Instructor at Bear Valley since 1977. He and his wife Barbara Ann now reside in Texas.
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Wesley Walker holds a Bachelor of Biblical Studies degree from the Bear Valley Bible Institute, a BA from Amridge University, and two masters degrees (including an M. Div) from Freed-Hardeman University. He currently serves as the preaching minister for the Woodson Chapel church of Christ in Nashville, Tennessee. He and his wife Amanda have three children.
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Daniel Stearsman preaches for the Warner Robins church of Christ in Warner Robins, Georgia and is a pharmacist by training. His education includes a Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Florida (2000), a BA in Bible Studies from Amridge (2005), an MA in Bioethics and Medical Humanities from the University of South Florida College of Medicine (2009), and a Master of Biblical Studies from the Bear Valley Bible Institute (2018). Daniel has taught courses in Clinical Ethics for the University of South Florida College of Medicine as well as teaching Pharmacy students for the University of Florida College of Pharmacy. Currently, he teaches courses in ethics for the Bear Valley Bible Institute, the Florida School of Preaching, and the Georgia School of Preaching. He has been on multiple mission campaigns to Ghana, West Africa.
Students without a Bachelor’s Degree in Bible or Ministry
Leveling Coursework Requirements
Students who already have an approved Bachelor’s degree and at least fifteen (15) hours of undergraduate Bible may enter into our master’s program without any additional coursework. However, if this is not the case, a student must take fifteen (15) hours of leveling work.
Graduates of other (full-time) schools of preaching are allowed to enroll as well if they take the fifteen (15) hours of leveling work. These fifteen (15) hours are as follows:
Up to twelve (12) hours credit can be earned on the Standardized Bible Content Test that the office will provide the prospective student.
Six (6) hours credit will be given for a student taking and completing all coursework required for the Fundamentals of the Faith course (#4420) at the World Video Bible School (WVBS)*
Three (3) additional courses (3 hours each) of the student's choosing must also be taken at World Video Bible School if necessary.
Credit for life experience will be awarded as leveling work at a rate of three (3) credit hours for each five (5) years of ministry service.
Graduate level credits earned at other brotherhood institutions which match the curriculum of the Bear Valley Bible Institute Graduate Studies Program will be accepted after review.
Once a prospective student has submitted a completed application, along with the $20.00 application fee, to the Bear Valley Bible Institute and has been accepted into the program, the office will contact the student with further information regarding the leveling work and/or credit earned elsewhere.
If you should have any further questions, please contact Donnie Bates, Dean of Graduate Studies for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
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We offer a Master of Biblical Studies (MBS) and a Master of Theological Studies (MTS). The MBS is a 32-hour program, and the MTS is a 50-hour program. Learn more here…
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Our program is very affordable. There is a $25 (non-refundable) application fee. Once accepted, classes are only $75 per credit hour. Our 3-credit-hour classes are $225 each.
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Our Master’s degrees are not nationally accredited. Our program is approved by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education. However, there are a number of colleges and universities that accept credit hours from this master’s degree program. We have an agreement with Amridge University (www.amridgeuniversity.edu) in which 39 credit hours will transfer into their Master of Divinity program. Our master’s degree is a ministry degree that demonstrates that the student has achieved a high level of academic training.
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It is required that you take the Introduction to Graduate Studies (#500) course first. This course has a video that you need to watch and take notes on. This video will explain a number of important items regarding the entire Master’s program.
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Each In-Ministry course has a 90-day time limit, beginning the day the student receives the syllabus. The 90-day limit for Blitz Week courses starts at the end of the Blitz Week unless the professor stipulates otherwise.
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If you have accredited master's-level hours, submit an approved transcript to the Dean of Graduate Studies. He will determine what credits will transfer in (a maximum of 12 hours).
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Only those with a Bachelor’s Degree in Bible or Bible-related fields are eligible to enter our graduate program. However, a student with a degree in other fields may take fifteen (15) leveling hours (designated by the Bear Valley Bible Institute) to qualify.
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The Bear Valley Bible Institute is a work of the Bear Valley church of Christ, and is intended for faithful members of the churches of Christ.
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Once a student has been accepted into the program, he may then access the entire curriculum for review at the Curriculum page. When he is ready to begin a class he may register for that class on the Course Registration page. IMPORTANT NOTE: The first course that must be taken is the Introduction to Graduate Studies course.
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The application fee is non-refundable. All tuition funds are refundable for the first thirty (30) days of the 90-day limit for the course. After thirty (30) days, the tuition for a course becomes non-refundable.
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Yes. There is a 7-year time limit for the MBS program. The MTS program has a 10-year limit. Extensions to these time limits may be granted in extreme circumstances when you submit a written request for extension that describes the reasons for the request. The administration will review the request and determine whether to grant the extension. The time limit begins when the student is accepted into the program.