NZCSB - The New Zealand Correspondence School of the Bible

About the School

The New Zealand Correspondence School of the Bible was founded in 1992 as another way to reach the rural population of New Zealand with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and also to educate Christians in the Word of God. Written by Dr Jeff Williams, the school is the accumulation of a lifetime of Bible study and was written over a period of eight years! Since its formation, we have had over 3000 Kiwis enrol in the course and many graduate with their Diploma in Biblical Studies. God has provided people over the years to help with the marking of the lessons which we are extremely grateful for!

In 2010, the school added a number of new features to help students study, including an online forum, a new website, a podcast (in conjunction with the Marlborough Bible Baptist Church) and a new team member, Margaret, to help with the grading of lessons. Each week the school receives an average of 20 lessons and a couple of new students, all of which have to be graded and entered into the system.

The school is a ministry of the Marlborough Bible Baptist Church in Blenheim, New Zealand. We are not registered under the New Zealand Qualifications Authority ( Why?) but we are a not-for-profit organization thanks to our parent church. For the doctrinal statement of our founding church, click here.

Purpose of the School

The purpose and mission of the NZCSB is as follows:

1) To reach the people of New Zealand with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
2) To assist Kiwis in learning what the Bible actually says.

The school is non-denominational in nature due to its format which encourages the student to read the Bible and answer the question from the Scriptures themselves. Although it is pretty near impossible to be biased, we have honestly tried to write the lessons in such a way that it encourages you to learn the Bible from the Bible itself - not some denominational catechism. If the teachings of the Bible and the school contradict, then we always throw out the lesson and go with the pure Word of God- we trust you will do the same!

Our founding verse is 2 Timothy 2:15

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth"

About the Author

Dr Jeff Williams has been in New Zealand since 1991 as a missionary from America. After establishing a church in Dunedin, God impressed upon his heart to write a Bible correspondence school to reach the many rural areas in our country which do not have a sound, Bible-teaching, church.

Education

Jeff has a Bachelor of Science degree in Theology from Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri(1987) and a Master of Biblical Studies degree (1989) and a Ph.D. in Religion (1992) from the Bethany Theological Seminary in Dothan, Alabama. Perhaps the greatest schooling he has ever had however, is over 30 years of personal Bible study.

Jeff is the author of several books, including The Song of Songs, a commentary over the book of the Song of Solomon; In Spirit And In Truth: a look at the foundations of the charismatic movement, and several Gospel Tracts. The entire NZCSB is also available in print form or CD as a home schooling resource entitled Line Upon Line. For more information on these books, go to www.veritycharity.com

As a gifted teacher, Jeff has a burden not only to reach NZ with the Gospel, but also to encourage and teach the Bible to Christians nation-wide.

NZCSB Representatives to Students - Margaret and Chelsea

Here are two ladies who we couldn't do without! Chelsea and Margaret handle most of the grading, questions, correspondence, computer work, paperwork, printing and so on... that makes the NZCSB possible. Without the long hours these volunteers put in then the school would grind to a halt, chaos would rule in the office, and our post office box would burst with "Where's my latest lesson?" letters! They are the unseen face behind the comments on your lessons and the architects of the finely crafted grading you receive.

Dunedin Office - Dr Robert and Diane Rutta

With growing numbers of students from Otago and Southland, it was decided that we needed to start up another office for that area. God provided Dr Robert Rutta and his wife Diana to assist the school in the processing of lessons back in 2000.

Pastor Bob Rutta grew up in West Virginia in the USA. He trusted Christ as his personal Saviour at eight years of age. When he was 18 he surrendered to the Lord's call to the ministry and transferred from the state university that he was attending so he could begin his training at Bible College. While in Bible College, he met and married his wife Diana. During the time when Bob and Diana were engaged they felt the Lord calling them to go to New Zealand for ministry.

Bob has served in full time ministry in New Zealand since 1988 - first planting a church in New Plymouth and then moving to Dunedin in 1998 to serve at Community Baptist Church where he still pastors today.

Bob and Diana have four children: Robert Jr, Benjamin, Elisabeth, and Sarah.

Education

Dr Rutta has a B.S. in Pastoral Theology (Hyles-Anderson College, 1986), M.A. in Bible (Landmark Baptist Seminary, 2000) and a Ph.D. in Theology (Landmark Baptist Seminary, 2003).