Twice a week, BSM students sit under Mrs. Julie Compuesto, a teacher/coach for Effective Communication.  During the first day of their class, Mrs. Compuesto asked each student to share his/her  life testimony before the  class so she could hear and initially evaluate his/her speaking skill.  The objective of this course is to improve the students’   oral communication skill  and to build up their  confidence in public speaking.  Mrs. Compuesto, a member of the FARM church family  is a retired English Master teacher  and has volunteered her services in BSM as her ministry.

The students were very happy recipients of two books sent as gifts by Sister Kimberly Snider through the ICI MInistries.  The first is a devotional book for young professionals entitled “You can RECHARGE!” and the second one is  on the book of  the Ephesians entitled “Welcoming Jesus Into Your House”.  Mrs.  Snider is editor of both books as well as of `Moms’ ,  a popular  newsletter for women which is regulalry  distributed in our local churches.

Thursday evening,  June 30, 2011 was a rainy evening when the BSM SY 2011-2012 acquaintance party was held at the   BSM dining room.  It was an opportunity for students and BSM staff to know more about each other.   Some  alumni were invited as guests; particularly Rev. Jessie Villagracia and Rev. Pat Martinez. The two BSM alumni have both established ministries. Jessie is the current District Superintendent of NWVDC while Pat is the current Presbyter of the Section if Capiz.   Two other alumni were present; Joses and Benjie  Calusay  who  graduated in BSM last school year and are currently pioneering a church in Santiago City, Isabela. Both came home in time  for the acquaintance party and to join their parents to a trip to Australia.  A special dinner was served featuring spicy recipes of Joses Calusay.   The event was highlighted by an inspirational message from Pastor  Rey Calusay. He  challenged the students to learn to communicate to people with their hearts. It was a memorable evening for the students for once more they were made to feel very much at home at FARM  and were officially tagged as BSM Batch 20.

BSM students auditioned for music team ministry of FARM headed by Jireh Calusay  Majority of the students auditioned as vocalists  and a few    as instrumentalists. The rest were comfortable to be part of the audience and render indulging ears to their classmates.

Training and mentoring the BSM students is a challenging process that requires knowing first the kind of raw material to start with. A popular BSM line is `We accept you as you are but will not let you stay as you are”. Consequently, BSM conducts English Measurement Test and Doctrinal  Evaluation Test at the beginning of the school  year. The students took an IELTS exam administered by  Jireh Calusay. The purpose of the  exam was  to test their listening skills, concentration and listening with understanding. The students  were allowed to listen to a recorded conversation   and after that they have to answer prepared questions.   Secondly, they took a doctrinal test  composed of selected representative questions to measure their general knowledge of the Bible and the Biblical view of key doctrines and issues.   Results of tests revealed the rustic minds of some students especially those who have finished their college education many years ago. Nonetheless, the students enjoyed the exercise and were challenged   to take up again the mind set of a learner.

To see more pictures, click this: Photo Album:BSM Students Take Measurement Tests

         Twenty students from different parts of the Philippines   went through   screening and interview before they were officially enrolled last June  21, 2011. After submission of all requirements for admission, each student was personally interviewed by no other than Rev. Rey Calusay, PGCAG General Superintendent  and Director of Home Missions Department and his wife Zenaida who is the academic dean of BSM.  The interview is primarily designed to ascertain the student’s call and commitment to plant a church after completion of training.

BSM SY 2011-2012 students were  officially welcomed in FARM, Inc. church family last June 26, 2011. Sara Labaso from from Surigao del Norte  gave her testimony and thanked the FARM family in behalf of the student body  for embracing them as adopted members of FARM Inc. for the duration of their 10 month training. The training of church planters has been one of the avenues through which FARM members participate in missions and church planting    through their untiring and generous sponsorship of  needy students. Since 1986, they have been sponsoring the tuition fees and board and lodging of BSM students. Some FARM lay leaders also serve as parenting elders of students.
As adopted   FARM members during their stay in BSM, the students   will be treated as church members and will be  part of all the activities in the church. As `new’ members, they are required to go through the discipleship program of FARM.  Younger students   will be included in as members in the FARM youth groups.  All of these made them feel they really are part of the FARM church family.