To apply for the next Renovation Institute course, go to thechapel.com/events and register there.

Spiritual Formation

This course is designed to give students an introductory overview of the dynamics involved in the formation of mature character in the life of the Christian leader. This course will help students to understand and articulate a biblical theology of personal spiritual growth and renewal; to understand the biblical imperative for personal holiness and the priority of ongoing spiritual growth and renewal; to understand the biblical nature of the Gospel’s transforming power; to understand the role of the practice of spiritual disciplines in one’s spiritual growth; and to understand the connection between self- leadership and ministry involvement.

Missional Thought and Behavior

This course is designed to introduce the student to the core mission statement of renovation thought (which is that the church is to seek to give every man, woman, and child a repeated opportunity to hear, see, and respond to the Gospel message of Jesus Christ) and how to intentionally engage in missional behavior through: presence (relationships that one builds intentionally with someone who they know does not know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior), proclamation (the opportunities that someone has to share their grace story with someone else that they know does not know Christ), conversion (the opportunity that someone has to sit down with an individual and pray with that person to receive Christ), and saturation (the overall examination of the impact of a church on its geographies in the aforementioned areas).

Studying and Teaching the Bible

This course is a unique blend of hermeneutics and homiletics: how to study the Bible and how to communicate the Bible. The student will develop skills in inductive Bible study, the assessment of learner needs and issues, and the design of effective Bible lessons. This course seeks to equip students to study their Bible accurately using basic principles of observation and interpretation of the biblical text. Building on this foundation, students learn how to assess their audience and develop an appropriate Bible-based lesson for that audience. Students are introduced to fundamental principles of the teaching-learning process and are guided in the application of those principles to the teaching of the Scriptures.

Old Testament Studies 1

This course is designed to provide a survey of the background and content of the historical books of the Old Testament – from Genesis to Esther – so that the student will gain a worldview shaped by the mission to reach every man, woman, and child with the Good News that they can be reconciled to God. It is through that lens that an overview of the Old Testament will be presented using systematic, chronological, thematic and exegetical methods. The student will develop a biblical worldview, grasp the purpose of the Law and its typology, witness the unfolding of the Messianic anticipation and cultivate an appreciation for God’s faithfulness to Israel.

Old Testament Studies 2

This course is designed as a survey of the background and content of the poetic and prophetic books of the Old Testament: Job through Malachi. An overview will be presented with particular attention to the historical context, literary structure, and theological content of each book. This study is designed for the intellectual shaping and ethical development of the student, who is not just a disciple of Christ’s teaching – but also an heir to Israel’s Scriptures.

Biblical Counseling

This course is designed to provide a foundation for counseling within the context of ministry by teaching the basic tenets of biblical discipleship and counseling. It is designed to equip the student with the biblical training, skills and knowledge necessary to minister to those who need help with life issues. Students will gain an understanding of what is meant by the term ‘Biblical Counseling’ and how it differs from other counseling models. The student will become familiar with the essential elements of the discipleship and counseling process, the role of the Holy Spirit, and the sufficiency of the Bible to minister to others.

Biblical Stewardship

We desire to see hearts and lives transformed by the reality of who God is, specifically as Owner of all things, the Great Giver, and our ultimate Provider. We believe that awakened hearts will lead to changed lives and these changed lives will change other’s lives – every man, woman, and child. It is with this in mind that we will develop a biblical understanding and teach some basic practical applications related to wealth, stewardship, and generosity that are essential to leading ourselves and others well.

New Testament Studies 1

This course is designed as a survey of the background and content of the Gospels and the books of Acts, Galatians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians. Since we are committed to reaching every man, woman, and child with the Gospel, we are also committed to know the story of God as it unfolds in the Hebrew Scriptures and is fulfilled in Christ. The life of Jesus Christ on earth as seen in the Gospels will be studied thematically and chronologically in the light of its historical background, geographical setting, political situation, and religious conditions. And since the book of Acts is, as Luke said it, a continuation of the activity of Jesus through the Spirit and through the disciples of Jesus, we will see in Acts what the mission of the church is and how it is to be carried out.

New Testament Studies 2

This course is designed as a survey of the background and content of the letters of the New Testament - from Romans through Revelation, with the exception of Galatians and 1 and 2 Thessalonians, which were covered in New Testament Studies 1. These nineteen books were written to disciple the followers of Christ in how we should live out the Gospel between Christ’s first and second coming. These New Testament letters inform the believer on proper conduct for those whose intent is to allow others to see the Gospel’s impact through them.

Theological Studies 1

This course is designed to offer the student a critical and thorough understanding of the basic truths necessary to be engaged in the church’s mission. while there are theological truths that are important and could be discussed, there are certain truths that are necessary and non-negotiable in the formation of a strategy to work together as His church toward the accomplishment of the mission. These doctrines can be summed up with these brief statements: the Bible speaks, God is, Jesus is God, man is fallen, Jesus saves, the Holy Spirit empowers, the church is on mission, and Christ is coming. The first four statements are covered extensively in Theological Studies 1.

Theological Studies 2

The non-negotiables necessary to form a strategy to work together as His church toward the accomplishment of the mission can be summed up with these brief statements: the Bible speaks, God is, Jesus is God, man is fallen, Jesus saves, the Holy Spirit empowers, the church is on mission, and Christ is coming. The last four statements are covered extensively in Theological Studies 2.

Ministry Leadership

This course is designed to provide an examination of models of leadership for Christian ministries, emphasizing practical issues such as developing mission and vision statements, creating effective leadership teams, and the strategic planning, implementation, and oversight of ministries.

A student enrolled in the Renovation Institute Diploma program is required to take the following 12 "three-hour" courses offered at The Chapel's CrossPoint Campus. It is preferred, though not obligatory, the student takes the courses in the listed sequence.

• Spiritual Formation
• Missional Thought and Behavior
• Studying and Teaching the Bible
• Old Testament Studies 1
• Old Testament Studies 2
• Biblical Counseling
• Biblical Stewardship
• New Testament Studies 1
• New Testament Studies 2
• Theological Studies 1
• Theological Studies 2
• Ministry Leadership

Our teaching staff for the Renovation Institute and the Lay Counseling Institute.

Dr. Deone Drake

Deone is the Singles and Teaching Pastor at The Chapel and serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Renovation Institute. He has been a part of The Chapel staff since 1984. He received his Doctor of Ministry from Trinity College and Seminary (Newburgh, IN), Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Liberty University (Lynchburg, VA), and Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies from Baptist Christian College (Shreveport, LA). He is the co-author of the book, “Love Within the Circle.”

Jonathan Drake

Jonathan serves as both the Director of Spiritual Formation and the Niagara Falls Campus Pastor of The Chapel. He received both his Master of Divinity in Missional Studies from Liberty University (Lynchburg, VA), and Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies.

Dr. Jerry Gillis

Jerry is the Lead Pastor at The Chapel. He received his Doctor of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Master of Divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication from the University of Georgia (Athens, GA). He is the author of “Followship – The Essence of our Journey with Jesus” and “What’s Love Got to Do With It.”

David Drake

David Drake currently serves as a Community Care Pastor at The Chapel.

Kim Holet

Kim Holet currently serves as the Spiritual Formation Team Leader at The Chapel. She received her Masters of Arts in Religion with a concentration in church ministries from Liberty University, and her Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Services from the University of Buffalo.