The Institute
God has used the previous pages of this website to help introduce you to Iron Grace Institute. By them, you have learned of its purpose, its mission and its statement of faith, hopefully setting your mind at ease as to its validity. So with that, let's get to the heart of the matter.
As you know, there is more to life than meets the eye. The same holds true for this adjunct of Iron Horse Ministries. As such, we invite you to take a few moments here, to see for yourself, just what that means.
Why Was Iron Grace Institute Started?
As you are most likely aware, there are quite a few 'Christian' motorcycle riders out there - which is absolutely great. There are riders that belong to organizations that are considered to be bona fide "motorcycle ministries" (M/M's or C/M/C's), with back patches, etc. Then there are those that are independent riders; 'Born Again Believers'; doing what they can, for the sake of the King, the Kingdom, and the Saints of God. And finally, there are those that ride with fellow members of their own local church body, and as such, consider themselves a motorcycle ministry. The thing is, with all due respect, most of those church 'ministries', are in reality, more like church ride groups (R/G's), rather than true biker outreaches.
Now, please don't misunderstand; we are NOT trying to throw stones at anyone, or at any organization here - ever. The thing is, there are a lot of great folks out there, that are trying to do great things. The problem is (again with all due respect), many riders are unaware that every time they throw their leg over their bike and roll out, they are subject to the same unwritten protocols as ALL other riders - no matter what.
So, as a result of an innocent lack of cultural knowledge, mistakes are inadvertently made out in the field, making it much more difficult and potentially more dangerous for those who live and minister solely to the biker community in their region. And THAT, in part, is precisely why God has established this unique institute - to help keep that from happening.
PLEASE NOTE:
We need to remember that members of the motorcycling community, are considered a "people-group" like any other people-group in the world. It is a subculture with its own rules (or protocols), language (or nomenclature), rituals (or traditions), sensitivities (or taboos). Therefore, we need to be fully prepared, so that we can be as effective as possible out in the field.
What Makes Iron Grace Institute So Unique?
What makes this adjunct of Iron Horse Ministries so unique, is that it is rather like a 'college' or 'seminary' for Christian bikers. God has set up this institute explicitly for people that are not just motorcycle riders that happen to be Christians, but rather, for true Born-Again Christ followers, that are dead serious about their faith, are certain they are called of God, and are willing to do what it takes to fully prepare themselves for service within that call.
In other words, God has established Iron Grace Institute to be solely dedicated to "preparing the called for service"; and once graduated, to be an encouragement to them, while they are out in the field.
So, if you are absolutely serious about following the call of Christ in your life, going deeper in your relationship with Him, and you can hear Him whispering, calling you to serve Him as a true missionary to bikers, then this is precisely where you need to be.
What Does The Curriculum Consist Of?
Before we answer that, we need to establish the fact that when the course is completed, you will know all the basics about ministering to the motorcycling community and about how to live as a missionary to bikers. The reason why the term "basics" is used is because we don't want to get in Gods way. There needs to be just enough room for God in the field.
Keeping that in mind, here is the list of courses that are offered through Iron Grace Institute:
The Characteristics Of A Disciple:
This course is considered foundational. Here everything practical about what faith in Christ truly means, is covered. This study helps to solidify Who it is that you say you believe in, as well as, it helps to confirm how it is He wants you to live for Him, etc. Amazingly, the things learned in this study, turn out to be extremely helpful down the road.
The Spiritual Gifts:
This course is considered to be paramount in preparation for the work God has for you. In this study, ALL the Spiritual gifts are looked at - without denominational bias. How can you know which tool(s) may have been given to you, unless you know what tools are out there.
When the course is completed, a survey is given to help determine and/or confirm which Spiritual Gifts God has freely given to you - for His service.
Spiritual Warfare:
This course helps Christians to know and identify the cunning and invisible enemy (Satan), as well as exploring ways to best defeat him. With an understanding of the enemy, and the power that is given to all believers through Christ, you can become a formidable foe against the schemes of the Devil and his hordes. Making you a real warrior for the King.
Biker Protocols:
This course helps you to know and understand the basic unwritten protocols of the 'biker world'. However, it does not cover everything. That's because what is not covered, comes under the category of 'club business'. And out of respect, we do not go there.
You need to know that this particular study is considered central to the entire curriculum. If these protocols are not well learned and strictly adhered to, then the next sunrise, may not be yours to see - making everything before and after this, null and void.
Ministry Protocols:
This course is the 'nuts & bolts' with regards to the handling of ones self, as a Christian with bikers out in the field. As a Christian, you are held to a higher standard. Therefore, this study will help to keep you from stepping in it - and tracking it all the way back to Iron Grace Institute and/or Iron Horse Ministries - not to mention, your own church body as well.
Preparation For Ministry Life:
In all honesty, this one can be a bit tuff. This course examines what it truly means to be a 'missionary'. Almost every aspect of life, is looked at and considered - all through the eyes of a missionary. As such, it becomes extremely clear very quickly, that being a true missionary is not simply a job title; it's an all-encompassing way of life.
In fact, as the course progresses, it is eventually discovered, that a missionary lifestyle is truly NOT for everyone. Which solidifies that, being called to live as a true missionary, is a totally sovereign call of God.
PLEASE BE ADVISED:
You may come to a point within this study, where you will need to make a seriously conscious decision; whether or not, God has truly called you to serve Him as a true missionary to bikers.
Licensing And Ordination (Optional):
This course prepares the qualified to be licensed to preach. In addition, this course goes even deeper, in order to prepare a qualified candidate, to be ordained into the Gospel Ministry.
So, after looking through all of this, you may be wondering, "How long will all of that take?" Depending in part on the individual student, and how much effort they put into the studies, it can take approximately two years.
PLEASE NOTE:
Not everything is confined to an indoor 'classroom' type setting - after all, this IS a motorcycle ministry. There is some fieldwork that needs to be done as well. And as we all know, it's out in the field, where all the skills are honed. Amen?
How Is The Curriculum Handled?
Because God has not provided Iron Grace Institute with a physical campus, all courses of study are done online. Which means, this is to be considered as a ‘Distance Learning’ institute. As such, that makes things a bit more convenient on many levels. Most notably, students can take their time with each study, ensuring a good understanding of the subject - before moving on. And how cool is that.
Once a candidate is vetted and is accepted into these courses of study, they are then given directions how to access the first study video, including directions to downloading a 'writeable' PDF form, on which to complete that video's quiz. After completing the video and its corresponding quiz, the PDF file is to be emailed to I.G.I. for examination. If everything is found to be satisfactory, then the student is given access to the next study video/quiz - and so on - until completion of that course. And so it is, throughout the entire courses of study here at Iron Grace Institute.
Now, with aspects of study, that requires fieldwork, everything that is needed, is carefully explained on those videos. When the student returns home, they are to thoroughly and completely follow the directions given, when filling out the corresponding PDF form. Then, as before, the completed form is to be turned in to be examined. Now, if for some reason it does not pass muster, then the student will be notified and requested to try again - until satisfaction is achieved.
(Hint: Humbly conveying all details, in full and complete sentences - is everything.)
PLEASE NOTE:
We know that for some folks, online studies may be a real struggle. We get that. The thing is, the beauty of this kind of online study, is that no one is under any time constraints. The thinking here is, because of the weight of some of the studies, everyone should feel comfortable with taking a little extra time - so as not to be rushed. That way, it can be assured that nothing will be overlooked or misunderstood - which could in the long run, cost hearts and lives out in the field - maybe even your own.
Put another way, take your time, and do it right. That's because for many of the people that you will be ministering to out in the field, their lifestyle and situation is no joke. So take your time, and learn it well. Whether they are aware of it or not, they are counting on you to do so.
Finally, here's something pretty cool that is offered to those that complete the required courses. They can go back and look at any of the videos they watched - any time they want, and as often as they want. That way, they can stay refreshed for years to come. And how cool is that.
What About The Financial Side Of Things?
As mentioned before, Iron Grace Institute (I.G.I.), is an adjunct of Iron Horse Ministries (I.H.M.), and as such, is solely under the umbrella and authority of the same.
With that having been said, Iron Grace Institute has no initiation fees; nor are there any registration or tuition fees required for the courses taught. Which means that any moneys required to help keep I.G.I. up and running online, comes solely from the parent ministry (Iron Horse Ministries).
Which further means, to keep this totally non-profit adjunct of I.H.M. totally tuition free and still keep it up and running, we depend entirely upon the prayerful freewill love offerings of those whom God has called to attend Iron Grace Institute, as well as those that may not be called into motorcycle ministry, and yet, share in its vision (whether they ride a motorcycle or not).
PLEASE NOTE:
Though all donations designated for Iron Grace Institute are made through Iron Horse Ministries, they are still gratefully and prayerfully handled with the greatest of care and with impeccable stewardship. In fact, every donation is considered a gift of love, and an investment with regards to this adjunct of the overall ministry.
With that, it is our desire that this has helped to make things clearer for you, setting your mind at ease. Hopefully, enabling you to capture the essence of how God has set up this aspect of Iron Horse Ministries. To God be the glory.
So What's Next?
So, here you are. You have taken the time to read through all of this stuff, and we are honored by that. But perhaps while you've been reading, you've been feeling something (or someone) whispering to your heart with regards to this aspect of ministry. Maybe the vision you were given, is becoming clearer. Perhaps you are sensing more clearer than ever before, that God wants you to live and serve Him as a true missionary to bikers. And perhaps, there is now a feeling of needing to be better prepared. If that's the case, then where do you go from here?
What we suggest is that you take a few minutes, and prayerfully consider what you have read thus far, and the depth of the call you may have been given. Then, when you are ready, go to the next page of this web site, and see what God may reveal to you there.