HUAI KALOK BIBLE INSTITUTE

Transcription

1 CHRISTIAN FREEDOM INTERNATIONAL HUAI KALOK BIBLE INSTITUTE HAUI KALOK, THAILAND

2 CHRISTIAN FREEDOM INTERNATIONAL BACKGROUND Huai Kalok Bible Institute (HBI) is a ministry of Christian Freedom International ( Christian Freedom International (CFI) was established in 1983 to help reach the part of the Persecuted Church that is the most repressed, most cut off, and most isolated. Active in some of the most dangerous countries on earth, CFI is a recognized voice for persecuted Christians and works tirelessly to help save lives every day. CFI s ongoing work includes going into active war zones to deliver essential medicines, food, clothes, tools, and Bibles to believers cut off from all outside assistance. CFI also documents the atrocities committed against Christians in these isolated areas and speaks out on their behalf. INTRODUCTION HBI functions under the authority of Growth and Opportunity Foundation of Thailand, a foundation established by CFI. MISSION HBI s motto is Enter to learn; leave to serve. Formerly known as the CFI Vocational School, HBI s mission is to train persecuted, indigenous men and women for service as pastors, teachers, and missionaries on the front lines of the Persecuted Church in Burma and isolated regions of Southeast Asia. HBI s four-year program will teach persecuted Karen refugees from Burma how to understand, apply, and communicate the truth of God s Word, and will train young men and women for service on the front lines. The Institute s curriculum is specifically designed to increase the student s knowledge of the Bible, to develop their ministry skills, and to enrich their Christian life -- all things which will help them reach out, not only to those who need to hear the lifesaving Gospel message, but also to PAGE 1

3 HUAI KALOK BIBLE INSTITUTE STUDENT HANDBOOK other persecuted believers throughout Burma or wherever else God may call them to serve. HBI also provides students with educational opportunities to become tentmakers. This hands-on training will allow students to assimilate into the workforce and become self-supporting leaders among their own native people, even as they show others how to support themselves, their families, their churches, and their communities. STRUCTURE The Director of the School is Nazir Akhtar, a native of Pakistan. Mr. Akhtar has a degree in Economics from Forman Christian College in Lahore, Pakistan. Mr. Akhtar speaks Urdu, Punjabi, and English and served as office Superintendence in Federal Investigation Agency. Mr. Akhtar has the overall administrative responsibility for HBI and reports to CFI President Jim Jacobson who in turn reports to the CFI Board of Directors that has ultimate authority over HBI. It is expected that all staff will perform duty as assigned under the supervision of Director Akhtar. In addition, Victoria Abram serves as Assistant Director for Finance and assists Mr. Akhtar with the day-to-day operations of HBI. STANDARDS OF CONDUCT The goal of HBI is that each facet of the Institute experience will contribute to the development of Christian maturity and Christ likeness. Christian maturity involves a commitment to the truth of God s Word and adherence to explicit Biblical teachings which should govern behavior. The Bible contains both prohibitions (e.g., the Ten Commandments; warnings against drunkenness, sexual immorality, materialism, and an impure thought life), and prescriptions (e.g., to love one another, to assemble or worship, and to be helpful to the needy). A mark of spiritual growth is an increasing conformity to all biblical commands. We draw special attention to the following practices which we believe expressly violate scriptural absolutes: The use or possession of morally degrading literature or media; Improper sexual behavior; Dishonesty in any form, including plagiarism; Abusive behavior; Theft or destruction of property. PAGE 2

4 CHRISTIAN FREEDOM INTERNATIONAL Yet, Christian maturity involves more than adherence to explicit scriptural statements of right and wrong. It involves a total commitment to the lordship of Christ, a life of dynamic discipleship, and a renunciation of self-centeredness. The mature Christian recognizes scriptural principles that govern conduct and applies these principles to attitude, conviction, and behavior. The following biblical principles represent HBI s emphasis on Christian maturity: A personal responsibility to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, doing all for His glory (Rom. 14:4-12; Phil. 1: 20-27; Col. 3:23; I Cor. 10:31); A personal desire to abstain from every form of evil (I Thess. 5:22); A recognition of the value placed on all persons as those created in God s image (Gen. 1:26-27; Col. 3:10; Matt. 22:39; Rom. 13:8-10; I John 3:13-18); An understanding of the controlling principle of Christian love, PAGE 3

5 HUAI KALOK BIBLE INSTITUTE STUDENT HANDBOOK resulting in a genuine desire to please our neighbor for his good and for his edification (Rom. 15:1-3); A thoughtful consideration of others lest, in the exercise of Christian liberty, a brother is caused to stumble. A willingness to avoid that which is inexpedient or imprudent because of its damaging consequences, even though it may not be wrong in and of itself (Rom. 14:13-23; I Cor. 8:7-13; 10:23-33; I Tim. 2:9); A discriminating concern for our influence on the whole body of Christ that we serve, as well as the city and a larger society of which we are a part. A willingness to avoid that which is needlessly divisive or offensive to significant segments of the HBI campus or to the prevalent sensitivities of the evangelical community at large (I Cor. 10:32-33; 9:22); A humble recognition that others in the Body of Christ may sincerely hold differing convictions in areas of social behavior and a willingness to accept the convictions of others in a non-judgmental manner (Rom. 14:3-6); A willing submission to authority for the Lord s sake. This includes obedience to all governmental regulations to which a Christian can conform in good conscience (Rom. 13:1-7; Heb. 13:17; I Pet 2: 13-17; An intelligent concern for the care and use of our bodies and our minds (I Cor. 6:19-20; Rom. 12:1-2; Phil. 4:8; II Cor. 10:5); A high standard of ethics in the area of separation from the ungodly world system (II Cor. 6:14-18; Eph. 5:3-12; James 1:27; 4:4; I Thess. 2:15-18); An awareness that conformity to man-made regulations which appear religious, does not alone guarantee spiritual maturity. (Col. 2:20-23). The standards of conduct expected at HBI are based on the following biblical imperatives: All activities of the Christian must be subordinated to the glory of God, Who indwells us (I Cor. 6:19 20). The Christian must endeavor to avoid practices that cause loss of sensitivity to the spiritual needs of the world (I Cor. 8:9, 12 13; 10:32) and loss of the Christian s physical, mental, or spiritual well-being (I Cor. 9:27). In today s society this includes avoiding such practices as gambling, profanity, obscenity, abuse of drugs, and the use of beetle nut, tobacco, and alcohol. Under no circumstances will pornography or inappropriate sexual behavior be tolerated. HBI believes that a Christian should demonstrate loyalty to the Lord Jesus Christ in every area of life. Jesus Christ is our example, and through His empowerment within, every staff PAGE 4

6 CHRISTIAN FREEDOM INTERNATIONAL member, volunteer, and student should bring his or her own behavior into conformity with Him. DRESS CODE All students should wear uniforms to all academic classes, chapel, and special services. Men -- All male students are expected to wear casual black pants with black belts, which have belt loops, and a collared white shirt. Hair should be cut in such a way that it does not come over the ears, eyebrows, or collar. Sideburns should be no longer than the middle of the ear. Women All female students are required to wear white collared blouses with black skirts. Skirt lengths and slits should come no higher than the top of the kneecap when sitting and standing. INFORMAL DRESS Sweatshirts, T-Shirts, and shorts are acceptable wear for participation in vocational classes, recreational activities, and for work responsibilities where informal wear is appropriate. Staff and students should not wear sweatshirts or T-shirts to academic classes. In order to promote an esprit de corps, it is traditional at most colleges for students not to wear articles of clothing which have names of high schools, other colleges, or schools attached. In keeping with this PAGE 5

7 HUAI KALOK BIBLE INSTITUTE STUDENT HANDBOOK tradition, HBI staff and students may not wear jackets, sweaters, or any other articles of clothing, which are identified with other institutions or organizations. Denim-type articles of clothing may be worn only where casual attire is permitted. They may not be worn as class dress. Tennis shoes are appropriate for casual dress, vocational classes, and sports. Hats may be worn where casual wear is permitted. Hats may not be worn backward. BEHAVIOR IN CLASS AND ALL HBI EVENTS, CHAPELS, AND ACTIVITIES Appropriate behavior is a matter of self-control. Students are expected to be attentive in class, chapel, events, and activities. Talking, reading, studying other materials, text messaging, writing letters, and sleeping are inappropriate during those times. If you use a laptop or handheld device, use it only for functions the teacher deems pertinent to the class you are in, not for answering , playing games, browsing the Internet, participating in social media sites, or working on assignments for other classes. Water and other beverages in covered containers may be brought into the classroom at the discretion of the teacher. ATTENDANCE POLICIES Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes, events, and HBI activities and to arrive on time. Students are to use effective time management so they can be in attendance, and are not to be absent from a class, event, or activity so they can work on other assignments. However, HBI recognizes the occasional need to be absent. ABSENCES Absences are allowed for illnesses that are too severe or contagious for the student to attend class; visits and participation in voluntary events such as individual competitions or field trips; and other HBI authorized reasons or events. PAGE 6

8 CHRISTIAN FREEDOM INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATING WITH STAFF Before taking an HBI-authorized absence, students should review the absence policies and discuss and gain agreement with each of their teachers on how they will meet class requirements. LATE ARRIVALS Students are expected to arrive on time for each class, event, or activity. Students will be counted late if they arrive in the first 10 minutes after the class, event, or activity has begun, and absent if they arrive after the first 15 minutes. Three lates to the same class, activity, or event during a semester will equal one absence. Students are also expected to attend classes, events, and HBI activities for the entire time allocated. Unless a student makes prior arrangements with his or her teacher or staff member to leave early, he or she will be counted absent if they leave before the end of the allocated time. CHURCH ATTENDANCE Each student is to attend one church service each week. Each student may have up to six absences per semester for illness, travel, or pressing obligations. SOCIAL LIFE HBI s overarching goal is to teach students how to live. To help students experience long-term spiritual success, HBI teaches students to apply biblical principles to practical daily living. As part of that, HBI desires that students develop Christ-honoring friendships and enjoy a rich social life that enhances their overall school experience, as well as their preparation for life. Regulations regarding social life on and off campus assist in the academic, spiritual and social development of students. The regulations are designed for these purposes: Ensure safety Student safety requires the Institute to be aware of student locations and activities so that students can be alerted to danger and be contacted easily in case of emergencies. Promote purity HBI wants students to engage in wholesome social activities in settings that provide accountability for biblical requirements of purity. PAGE 7

9 HUAI KALOK BIBLE INSTITUTE STUDENT HANDBOOK Build Christ-honoring relationships The Institute desires that students have opportunities for building Christ-honoring relationships. Provide accountability HBI requires students to exhibit maturity by being accountable or answerable for their activities. Give graduated privileges As students demonstrate maturity, they receive additional responsibilities and privileges. Physical Contact On and off campus, physical contact between men and women students is not allowed. CLASSROOMS AND BUILDINGS Male and female students should guard their testimonies; they are not to be alone together in a classroom, or any other room or building. The cafeteria will close at 7 p.m. PAGE 8

10 CHRISTIAN FREEDOM INTERNATIONAL LIBRARY Mixed groups, including couples, may study together at the tables on the main floor of the library. Conversational volume should be kept low to allow others to study. OFF-CAMPUS SOCIAL LIFE Students must obtain permission for any off-campus activity. Mixed groups require a faculty/staff member as a chaperone. Student safety requires the Institute to be aware of student locations and activities so that students can be alerted to danger and be contacted easily in case of emergencies. ENTERTAINMENT, MUSIC, AND TECHNOLOGY HBI s mission is to help students develop Christlike character, and we therefore encourage students to make biblical decisions in the area of entertainment. HBI expects and holds students responsible to select and participate in entertainment options including music, movies, television, computer/video games, printed materials, the Internet, and social media that honor Jesus Christ and edify both individual Christians and the Christian community. Students are to avoid any types of entertainment that could be considered immodest PAGE 9

11 HUAI KALOK BIBLE INSTITUTE STUDENT HANDBOOK or that contain profanity, scatological realism, sexual perversion, erotic realism, lurid violence, occultism, and false philosophical or religious assumptions. MUSIC Music is an opportunity to love God with all the heart, soul, mind, and strength. It also has the power to dominate the mind and heart of the listener. Its style and content can display God s glory, by exhibiting the ideals of purity, dignity, honor, loveliness, virtue and excellence; or they can appeal to the flesh and embed the world s philosophy in the heart and mind of a Christian, drawing him away from unhindered communion with Christ. Music, by God s design, is a subjective experience; but its various aspects words, sounds, images, and associations greatly affect us. While the elements of music (e.g., melody, harmony, rhythm, tone quality, instrumentation) are morally neutral, music the combination of these elements can be designed to influence moral responses, both right and wrong. While these responses are not automatic, with mature biblical discernment they are reasonably predictable. Therefore, HBI expects students to evaluate music on several levels the content itself, the intent of the music maker, the effects on listeners, and the context of the experience. PAGE 10

12 CHRISTIAN FREEDOM INTERNATIONAL MOVIES AND TELEVISION Movies can provide wholesome entertainment, helpful instruction, or profound insight into life and human behavior. However, much of what is and has been produced by the entertainment industry reflects views, lifestyles, and modes of communication, which are in direct opposition to a Christ-centered life. These movies exert a worldly pull on Christians trying to develop Christlikeness that compounds with continued exposure over time. COMPUTER/VIDEO GAMES Students are not to play video games rated above E10 or games that contain graphic blood or gore, sensual or demonic themes, violent first-person shooting, suggestive dress, bad language, or rock music. Resident supervisors will provide guidance about the suitability of a game, but students are ultimately responsible for making sure their game choices meet campus standards and making wise decisions about the use of their time. INTERNET HBI encourages students to use the Internet as the valuable tool that it is, but also expects students to be good stewards of their time while on the Internet and to avoid objectionable sites such as celebrity home pages. Because they often contain extensive sensuality, students are not to view celebrity websites, secular music lyric sites, and humor/joke sites. In a related area, sending, forwarding or requesting an , text message, or video with objectionable verbal or visual material is not edifying to others, and students sending/forwarding such items will be held accountable. These types of communication should be deleted upon receipt. Students may use video chat technology (e.g., Skype) anywhere outside the residence halls. Students may utilize smart phone and tablet apps but are not to engage in unfiltered Internet browsing. SOCIAL MEDIA HBI expects students to use social media and blogs responsibly, following biblical principles and maintaining content that promotes a consistent, positive Christian testimony. Language should not violate scriptural commands regarding abusive, slanderous, complaining, disrespectful, profane, blasphemous or tale- bearing speech, and content should be biblical and avoid promoting a lifestyle contrary to principles taught in Scripture or at the Institute. PAGE 11

13 HUAI KALOK BIBLE INSTITUTE STUDENT HANDBOOK STUDY HOURS Study hours in the residence halls are from 7 10 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, and from 7 9:30 p.m. Wednesday. During study hours, noise within a room including music and instruments should not be heard outside the room or disturb others inside the room. Students are also to be quiet in the stairwells and halls. RESIDENCE HALL PRAYER MEETINGS All residence hall students attend prayer meeting from 10:30 10:45 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. On Sunday and Wednesday each room has its own 15-minute prayer meeting at a time suitable to all the roommates (beginning no later than 10:30 p.m.). If a student has a special need for extra rest, he is to check with the resident counselor before going to bed early and missing prayer meeting. To allow maximum time for prayer, singing should be done outside the 15-minute prayer meeting times. LIGHTS OUT Lights out is at midnight, at which time students are to be in their own beds and quiet with all lights in the room turned off. This precludes talking, studying, texting, and eating between midnight and 5 a.m. Between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. students are to be in their rooms unless working on an Institute work crew. It is not a time for phone conversations or video/computer games. Food preparation appliances are to be used only in the snack room area. Candles, wax warmers, and incense are not to be burned in the residence halls. BEHAVIOR IN CHAPEL Chapel provides an opportunity not only to be taught from God s Word, but also to improve in the discipline of listening. Each student is expected to take responsibility to be attentive and to help others be attentive. To avoid distraction, students are to bring a printed Bible and keep all phones put away. PAGE 12

14 CHRISTIAN FREEDOM INTERNATIONAL CAMPUS FACILITIES Students are expected to be good stewards and not damage, litter, tamper with, or borrow Institute property. A CHRISTIAN APPROACH TO EVALUATING ENTERTAINMENT CHOICES A Christian s entertainment choices should reflect Christ and encourage him to be more like Christ. While it can be beneficial to be culturally literate, every Christian should self- censor his entertainment choices. When evaluating an entertainment choice, Christians should ask themselves the following questions: Are the characters noble? Do the actions of the story cause the characters to desire virtue? Does the story s resolution reward good and punish evil, and honor wisdom and scorn foolishness? Does the theme of the story conflict with God s truth? If it does, how? Where is the flaw? Instead of making entertainment choices indiscriminately or insulating oneself from all entertainment, Christians should follow God s example: create a resistance to the allukrement of evil by wisely applying large doses of antigen by knowing the teachings in His Word which equip us with perception to spot that which is false, devious, or perverted in what we may be reading, watching, or listening to. It is godly to present ungodliness in a biblical manner, for a biblical purpose, and to a biblical effect. It is ungodly to use what might seem to be the freedom of Scripture as a cloak of licentiousness (I Pet. 2:16). DEMERITS The Heart of Discipline at HBI In executing correction HBI is interested, not merely in a student s compliance to specific regulations, but ultimately in the student s longterm spiritual success. The Institute recognizes that while the total campus community students, faculty, and staff continually battles the flesh on an individual basis, when the Holy Spirit is at work in the believer s heart, spiritual growth and sanctification take place. Sanctification is progressive; therefore, HBI does not expect immediate PAGE 13

15 HUAI KALOK BIBLE INSTITUTE STUDENT HANDBOOK perfection. Instead, while maintaining consistency, HBI takes a personal approach and works with a student based on that student s heart response to correction. Consequences may vary based on sincere repentance versus repeated offenses. Spiritual growth and discipline at HBI are everyone s responsibility. DEMERIT SYSTEM HBI uses a demerit system to track disciplinary offenses. Minor offenses receive 1 25 Demerits, while major offenses receive Demerits. 1-3 Demerits Minor residence hall violations (such as failing room inspection, quiet-hours and lights-out violations, etc.); Tardiness; Littering; Failure to follow dining hall procedures; Improper dress; Chewing gum beetle nut anywhere on campus; Leaving lights on if you are the last person to leave a room; 5 Demerits Failure to answer official call slips or notes; Residence hall violations such as cooking in room, studying after lights out, failure to pass White Glove Inspection, etc.; Borrowing; Improper off-campus dress/immodest women s dress; Violation of hair code; 10 Demerits Absence from required meeting, rehearsal; Horseplay, practical jokes; Disrespect, bad attitude, or disobedience; PAGE 14

16 CHRISTIAN FREEDOM INTERNATIONAL Questionable magazines; Music violations; Profanity, foul language; 25 Demerits Absent from required activity; 50 Demerits Improper social behavior; Possession or use of fireworks; Plagiarism (plus zero on paper); In another room after lights out; Malicious horseplay (plus any financial dishonesty); Lying, giving false information, or any form of deception; Demerits Cheating (plus zero on test or grade); Unauthorized possession of firearms or weapons; Possession or use of tobacco; Obscene or abusive language or behavior; Possession of and/or viewing of pornographic material; Disruption of a public gathering or function; Discharging a false fire alarm; Tampering with a fire alarm or smoke detector. 150 Demerits Forging an official document, or falsification of information on an official document; Couples or mixed groups meeting off campus without written permission; Possession or use of alcohol or illegal drugs, or association with those involved; PAGE 15

17 HUAI KALOK BIBLE INSTITUTE STUDENT HANDBOOK Cheating on exams; Stealing or possession of stolen property, telephone, or computer fraud; Duplicating keys; Sexual misconduct; Visiting in a residence room of the opposite sex; Participation in unauthorized petition, newsletter, demonstration; protest, or riot; Assault or attempted assault; Violence or threat of violence; Involvement with witchcraft, séances, or any other satanic or demonic activity; Gambling; Accumulation of 150 demerits will automatically withdraw a student from the College. The Administration reserves the right to make any changes in the discipline procedures as the situation arises. WITHDRAWALS A student who withdraws for any reason after receiving 100 or more demerits has his academic record marked Withdrew While on Disciplinary Restriction. He will not be eligible to re-enroll for one full semester. Any student who withdraws without contacting the Dean of men or Dean of women is automatically suspended. Attendance at HBI is a privilege, not a right. The administration may request the withdrawal of a student whose attitude or conduct does not fit the spirit of the biblical principles that guide HBI s educational philosophy. SUSPENSION Because of the edifying atmosphere needed for the good of the campus community as a whole, there are some offenses that result in immediate suspension, including: Major moral failure, hard-core pornography, immoral behavior, or use of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs; Stealing or shoplifting; PAGE 16

18 Not disclosing a crime committed before or during enrollment; Encouraging or aiding another student in an action that results in suspension. A suspended student may not return to HBI for one full semester. A student suspended twice is permanently expelled from the Institute. LEGAL RIGHTS OF HBI In executing its disciplinary system, as other educational institutions do, HBI reserves the right to: Inspect residence hall rooms; Scan s for viruses and objectionable content and to review if deemed necessary; Revoke a student s network access without prior notification if the student s computer poses a threat to other computers or to the stability of the network; Inspect the content of any electronic device (e.g., MP3 player, computer, cellphone, etc.) if deemed necessary; Communicate with a student s parents, guardian and/or pastor on any situation involving the student; Restrict its services, programs and meetings from being recorded on personal communication devices.