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A message from the President...

asistelos-photo.jpgWelcome to St. Louis Theological Seminary & Bible College! I’m glad that you are considering this institution today as the vehicle to carry you forward in your knowledge of the Word of God. 

Our goal as an educational institution dedicated to teaching the Word of God rightly divided is to exceed your expectations in regards to your learning experience and spiritual growth, which are key ingredients for a successful, joyful career and ministry. 

Jointly with your personal commitment and dedication toward the learning endeavor, important components that should not be forgotten, our courses, whether at a distance or face-to-face, will permit your calling to serve the Lord to be even further revealed and developed, making your ministry extremely effective and gratifying. At the moment of your enrollment, this shared journey begins. 

Keeping this in mind, that our teaching/learning partnership has a higher goal, we’ve designed each course to be as challenging and involving as possible, utilizing the best technologies and teaching strategies available. This in combination with a select faculty body ready to instruct, inspire, and encourage will lead you toward an even more meaningful learning experience. 

May our Lord and Savior bless your desire to serve Him. 

 In His Holy name, 

 Antonio Sistelos, Ph.D.

 

 

A message from the Emeritus President...

pastor.jpgI am glad you are considering St. Louis Theological Seminary as a source for Bible training and study.  My desire is to lead our students to a deeper commitment to our Lord Jesus Christ through a greater understanding of God’s Word.

Our faculty is dedicated to faithfully teaching the Bible from a dispensational viewpoint. The undergraduate programs of the Bible College teach students how to study the Bible for themselves and how to share God’s Word with others.  The graduate program of the Seminary further develops our students’ knowledge of the Bible and the skills necessary for ministry.  Our programs emphasize the matchless “Grace of God” and how that grace affects all we do and all we are in Christ.  St. Louis Theological Seminary serves to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by presenting God’s Word as the absolute authority in all matters in Christian life.

Our courses are not easy.  You will be expected to diligently apply yourself to your studies.  The one thing we guarantee at St. Louis Theological Seminary is that our students will gain a greater knowledge and understanding of the Bible.  Prayerfully, your zeal for the Lord will also be enhanced, your commitment greater, and your love for Him deeper than you ever thought possible.

May the Lord bless you in your decision.

In His Service,

Richard A. Owsley

 

History of our Seminaryaward3.jpg

Pastor Richard A. Owsley, the Board of Directors, the elders, and the congregation of the St. Louis Bible Fellowship church were led to take another step in the mission to be ministers of the word of reconciliation by proclaiming the gospel of the grace of God and enlightening all to the dispensation of the mystery.  The idea of the St. Louis Theological Seminary was conceived to broaden the outreach of this ministry with the purpose of equipping faithful men and women with the knowledge of rightly dividing God's Word and the tools to be effective ministers of the gospel of God's grace.

After much prayer and planning, St. Louis Theological Seminary was officially established when it incorporated as a nonprofit organization in the State of Missouri on December 7, 2004.  Two divisions of educational programs were created within St. Louis Theological Seminary: the Bible College for undergraduate and community education and the Seminary for graduate studies.

Exemption from governmental academic certification was granted by the Missouri Department of Higher Education based on the religious designation of STLTS's programs and degrees.  In July 2005, STLTS was granted candidacy for accreditation by Accreditation Commission International, Inc.; and, after an extensive site visit, ACI approved accreditation for STLTS in December 2005.

On September 6, 2005 the first on-campus lecture courses began with online participation by distance education students.  On December 15, 2005 the first degree was earned when a student completed the requirements of the Master in Theology program.  On May 7, 2006 STLTS's first graduation ceremony included diplomas for an Associate degree, four Master degrees, and one Honorary Doctorate.
 

Our Beliefs

open_book-250x166.jpgIntroduction

We believe God is not the author of confusion, but of peace
(1 Corinthians 14:33).

We believe God has established a Oneness that Christians should endeavor “to keep…in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3).

"There is One Body, and One Spirit, even as you are called in the One Hope of your calling; One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all" (Ephesians 4:4-6).

We believe this is God’s doctrinal program for this age.

Desiring to be in full accord with the Mind of the Spirit, we hold the following beliefs:

The Bible

The entire Bible, in its original writings, is verbally inspired of God and is our absolute authority (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21). As believers, we are instructed to study the Bible, rightly dividing God’s Word (2 Timothy 2:15).

The Godhead

There is One God, manifested in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Genesis 1:26; Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 48:16; Mark 1:10-11; John 1:1, John 1:14; Colossians 1:15-19, Colossians 2:9).

The Person of Christ

Jesus Christ was begotten by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary and is true God and true man (Luke 1:35; Romans 1:3-4).




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Mission and Purpose

Mission

The mission of St. Louis Theological Seminary, described as its purpose in the Bylaws when incorporated, is “to provide religious education and to train men and women for ministry service.”  In carrying out this mission and expressing our dispensational theology, STLTS’s primary focus is to equip Grace pastors and others to serve in Grace ministries.

Commission

Our commission is to be ministers of the word of reconciliation; to proclaim the gospel of the grace of God; to enlighten all to the dispensation of the mystery; and to follow the Apostle Paul in the revelation of the hidden truth that our Lord Jesus Christ, from glory, gave to him for us today (Romans 11:13, Romans 15:16; Galatians 1:11-12, 2:7).

Local Assembly

It is the responsibility of all members of the body of Christ to meet together regularly in their local assemblies for worship, fellowship, and Bible study (Hebrews 10:25).

Purpose

whiteboard1.jpg The purpose of St. Louis Theological Seminary and Bible College is to glorify and exalt the Lord Jesus Christ and to present the Word of God as our absolute authority in all matters of our Christian walk. We take seriously the admonition of the Apostle Paul to Timothy, “and the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also" (2 Timothy 2:2).

Calling

Our calling is to instruct men and women from a dispensational view of the Scriptures and encourage them to “study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Our desire is to equip faithful men with the knowledge and tools to be effective ministers of the Gospel of the Grace of God.

 

 

 

Denominational Affiliation

STLTS was founded by St. Louis Bible Fellowship church of St. Louis, Missouri and is affiliated with Grace Gospel Fellowship of Grand Rapids, Michigan.  However, the right of each student to affiliate with other organizations is respected.

 

Seminary Accreditation

student_in_library-200x300.jpg To ensure that STLTS maintains its high educational standards, STLTS has sought accountability through accreditation. The purpose of STLTS partnering with an accrediting organization is not to gain "approval," but to undergo scrutiny by a monitoring agency to verify and vouch for the ongoing quality of its programs, as well as its academic policies and facilities.

St. Louis Theological Seminary and Bible College has received accreditation with Accrediting Commission International, Inc. Accrediting Commission International, Inc. (ACI) of Bebe, Arkansas, is primarily a religious school accrediting association. ACI has no affiliation with the federal or state departments of education. ACI is renowned to be one of the largest nongovernmental accrediting organizations in the world, specializing in Christian colleges and seminaries.

Due to constitutional issues regarding the separation of church and state, STLTS is exempt from the governmental requirements of the Missouri Department of Higher Education Proprietary School Certification Program based on the religious designation of the programs and degrees offered at STLTS. In accordance with subsection 173.616.2 RSMo, this exemption was granted STLTS as "a not for profit school owned, controlled and operated by a bona fide religious or denominational organization which offers no programs or degrees and grants no degrees or certificates other than those specifically designated as theological, bible, divinity, or other religious designation."

Students pursing a course of study at STLTS with the goal of being licensed, certified, or authorized in any profession must contact the appropriate licensing or regulatory agency to determine whether course, certificates, or degrees from STLTS will meet their requirements.  It is important to inform that agency that STLTS is accredited by Accrediting Commission International, Inc., which is a nongovernmental association.

 

Nondiscrimination Policy

St. Louis Theological Seminary does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, nationality, or ethnic origin in the administration of admission, academic, or financial policies.

 

Campus Facts

6234 Victoria Avenue, St. Louis, MO  63139-3128
314.781.0472
www.stlts.org

Although the academic programs at St. Louis Theological Seminary are designed for distance education, selected courses are offered with supplemental lectures that may be attended on campus.  Students may also participate in study labs, use the library, meet with some instructors and other members of the administration (by appointment), and fellowship on campus.  Special lectures open to the public sponsored by STLTS and the annual graduation ceremony are also held on campus.

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Student's Committment and Conduct

Dress Code

Students dress may be casual but must be neat, clean, and modest.  Body hygiene is expected to be within normal standards. 

Spirituality and Commitment

Students must have experienced personal salvation through Jesus Christ.  Students must be committed to studying God’s Word and to developing the skills necessary to communicate the knowledge of the Bible they have obtained to others.  Students retain the right to affiliate with the church or organization of their choice.   
 
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Prospective students must have experienced personal salvation through Jesus Christ.  Applicants are assessed according to their personal testimony concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, their goals and purpose for seeking enrollment, their academic background, and the recommendations of their personal references.  Applications are processed by the Registrar, reviewed by the Director of Academic Affairs, and approved by the President.

Applicants who meet the requirements outlined in this handbook are granted admission.  STLTS does not discriminate in granting admission on the basis of gender, race, color, nationality, or ethnic origin.  STLTS reserves the right to deny admission to a prospective student based on the standards outlined in this handbook, including indications of a present lack of commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ, unrealistic goals or inappropriate purpose for seeking enrollment at STLTS, inadequate previous academic achievement, or evidence of unacceptable conduct in the applicant’s current lifestyle.
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Charitable Contributions

St. Louis Theological Seminary is a nonprofit organization incorporated in the State of Missouri. 

STLTS has applied for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.  When granted, STLTS will be able to receive tax-deductible contributions to help provide quality education to our students.  When 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status is granted, unrestricted donations of funds to STLTS will be tax deductible as charitable contributions to the extent the law allows.  STLTS recommends the advice of a tax professional in these matters.  The following rulings may be applicable:
  • Payment for tuition is usually not considered a tax-deductible charitable contribution.
  • When an individual sponsors a student’s education by paying all or some tuition or fees, those funds are usually not deductible as charitable contributions.

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Our Location

St. Louis Theological Seminary is housed in the St. Louis Bible Fellowship church building at 6234 Victoria Avenue in the City of St. Louis, Missouri.  STLTS is in the “DogTown ” business district on the south side of Forest Park between Interstates 44 and 64 (Highway 40).







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Find out more about our Home Town!

St. Louis has so much to do and see. Of course the best known landmark is the Gateway Arch.

There are dozens of great places known mostly just to locals. Whether you're hosting out-of-town guests or looking for a unique way to fill a weekend, read on.

Excerpts from  http://stlouis.about.com

Zoo

The St. Louis Zoo is one of the country's best. Actually, both Parenting Magazine and Zagat's call it the top zoo in the nation. Not only does the St. Louis Zoo excel at getting visitors face-to-face with animals, it's also respected for creating exhibits that resemble each animal's natural habitat. Surprisingly, it does all this without charging a dime for admission. That's right, it's Free!

Gateway Arch

The Gateway Arch in St. Louis is the nation's tallest monument. No visit to St. Louis is complete without a trip to the top. But the St. Louis Arch isn't just for tourists. Here's information for both tourists and locals on how to spend a great day at the Gateway Arch.

Children's Museum

St. Louis' Magic House is one of the best children's museums in the country. Learn more about the museum's unique exhibits, special events and hours of admission to plan a trip to the museum today.

Crown Candy Kitchen

Stepping into Crown Candy is like stepping back in time. First off, it's a soda fountain. When was the last time you even heard the term soda fountain? Crown Candy opened in 1913, and you'll be hard-pressed to say what's changed over time. With much of the original décor, menu and original booths intact, it's like having lunch in a time capsule. Beyond the décor, people come for the shakes, malts and candy. Crown Candy makes them all from scratch, using the shop's original recipes. Lunch items include simple but tasty sandwiches, BLTs and chili dogs. But save room for a shake, they're huge!

Soulard Farmers Market

If you haven't been to the Soulard Farmers Market, perhaps you think it's just a giant produce stand. True, there are nearly three dozen vendors selling locally grown fruits and vegetables, but there are also rows of bakers, butchers, spice shops, florists, dairies and jewelers. If you were visiting some exotic foreign city, the guide books would insist you visit the open air market. Luckily we have something just as good, and in some ways just as exotic, right in our own backyard.

Bonne Terre Mine

National Geographic ranked it among America's top 100 adventures, yet not many St. Louisans have visited Bonne Terre Mine. Once one of the largest mines in the world, it was abandoned in the 1960's, only to fill up with groundwater. Its current owners claim the resulting billion-gallon subterranean lake is the world's largest. Visit the mine for a tour by boat or by foot, or if you're a certified diver (or want to become one), you can explore the lake to its depths, following up to 24 dive trails. Bonne Terre is about one hour south of St. Louis.

Gus's Pretzels

Gus' Pretzels has been supplying the city's south side with pretzels since 1920, but the shop has earned a cult-like following in more modern times. Go there around lunch on a weekday and there's a line out the door. Sure, some people come just for basic pretzels, but most come for their favorite pretzel sandwiches. Try a pretzel brat and you'll never want a brat on a plain bun again.





 

Did you know?

St. Louis is bordered by the Mississippi River on the east and by St. Louis County on the north, south, and west. St. Louis is the largest city in Missouri. Infrequently  written as Saint Louis, the city got its name from King Louis IX of France.

St. Louis is known for its multiple French and German roots with a Victorian heritage. At the beginning of the 20th century, St. Louis hosted the 1904 World's Fair then the 1904 Olympic Games. This was the first city in the U.S. to hold the olympics. Recently, St. Louis has moved from a manufacturing and industrial economy into a globally known for research in medicine, and biotechnology.

The city has been nicknamed, "Gateway City", because it naturally divides the Eastern/Western US.  And because many people migrated west through St. Louis via the Missouri River (the first leg of the Oregon Trail). The most popular abbreviation for St. Louis is "STL" in reference to the airport code for the city.  And hence our domain name STLTS.org.

St. Louis is home to the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team.