Coffee helps college fund Bible training

THE production and sale of coffee is a major income-generating source for Goroka Baptist Bible College, according to board member Reverend William Smith.
He said the college had about 8000 coffee trees and planned to increase that to 10,000.
“In Goroka, coffee is the crop of choice,” he said.
“If you are someone who likes to drink coffee, the coffee that we produce and sell helps the college function.
“Last year 10 per cent of our budget was from the sale of coffee.”
His parents worked at the college as missionaries for more than 30 years.
His father was a welder while his mother was also a nurse.
“We believe that in the ministry, God can use you in many different ways. The (college) can be a school to train people in the ministry but in many different skills,” he said.
“Right now, we have a programme major in Bible (study eventuating) in a bachelor’s degree.
“Another is called the Asian Biblical Theological Seminary which offers a master’s degree.
“We have a Christian education programme which offers a degree in teaching, basically prep through to grade 8, and we have a small Christian academy.”
Smith said 90 per cent of the facility was Papua New Guinean. He is an adviser to the board.