The Holy Spirit's Guidance

500 witnessed the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, yet there were only 120 waiting for the Holy Spirit in Acts 2. Where were the other 380? You may spend most of your ministry worried about the what, where and why of the 380; or you may spend your ministry rejoicing with the 120 and go about doing what you have been commissioned to do. I have learned to concentrate on what God has called me to do. Let the 380, and the Sanballats and Tobiahs of Nehemiah's day, file their petition and give their opposition. Every individual minister and ministry has its opposition; and offences will come. We bless our enemies and pray for them. We make sure that we are not quenching the Holy Spirit. We must all give an account to God. When seeking guidance about what seminary to attend, there are many opinions. The best denomination or non-denomination, the best local church, or the best seminary, is the one of which the Holy Spirit directs you to be apart.  In these last days, we must be about our Father’s business.

My personal advice to those called into ministry, is to connect with a local church and become active in ministry. Nothing can replace personal, on the job, experience. Then, either through distant learning or classroom participation, if possible, enroll in a seminary whose primary aim is to teach the Word of God.  There is a difference between learning about the Bible and learning the Bible. Our commitment at Southern Bible Institute and Seminary, is to teach and equip men and women with the Bible, rightly divided.

About Southern Bible Institute in Augusta, GA

Southern Bible Institute and Seminary is a non-profit organization located in the heart of the CSRA, offering traditional classes.  Online classes are available for students that cannot attend the traditional classes.  The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education has given exemption to Southern Bible Institute and Seminary to award biblical diplomas, associates, bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees.

SBIS is not seeking, nor has a desire, for state accreditation.  We believe strongly in the separation of church and state.  We do not believe the state/government has the authority to dictate what curriculum may be taught at a religious seminary.  We do not believe they have authority concerning the marriage ceremony.  We also do not believe the state has any authority concerning ministerial ordinations. SBIS does believe and adhere to accountability.  We accept Christian Accrediting Agencies and a Christian Board of Directors guide matters over the administration, finances, curriculum and professors.

Advice from Dr. Ron

500 witnessed the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, yet there were only 120 waiting for the Holy Spirit in Acts 2. Where were the other 380? You may spend most of your ministry worried about the what, where and why of the 380; or you may spend your ministry rejoicing with the 120 and go about doing what you have been commissioned to do. I have learned to concentrate on what God has called me to do. Let the 380, and the Sanballats and Tobiahs of Nehemiah's day, file their petition and give their opposition. Every individual minister and ministry has its opposition; and offences will come. We bless our enemies and pray for them. We make sure that we are not quenching the Holy Spirit. We must all give an account to God. When seeking guidance about what seminary to attend, there are many opinions. The best denomination or non-denomination, the best local church, or the best seminary, is the one of which the Holy Spirit directs you to be apart.  In these last days, we must be about our Father’s business.

My personal advice to those called into ministry, is to connect with a local church and become active in ministry. Nothing can replace personal, on the job, experience. Then, either through distant learning or classroom participation, if possible, enroll in a seminary whose primary aim is to teach the Word of God.  There is a difference between learning about the Bible and learning the Bible. Our commitment at Southern Bible Institute and Seminary, is to teach and equip men and women with the Bible, rightly divided.

Our Location

Our Location

The main campus of SBIS is located in North Augusta, South Carolina, right across the Savannah River from Augusta, Georgia with a combined metropolitan area population of over 500,000.

With an average temperature of 77 degrees and an abundance of affordable housing, the city of North Augusta enjoys many of the advantages of big city living while maintaining a strong sense of history, tradition, family and community.  The city is implementing projects to revitalize the downtown area and to enhance its unique riverfront location.

Whether you are a lifelong resident, a newcomer to the community or planning to relocate, you will find that North Augusta provides numerous opportunities.

At the Business Technology Center (Second Floor), 802 E. Martintown Road, North Augusta, South Carolina 29841, we have an abundant space for offices and classrooms.  This large facility gives SBIS room to continue to grow by the grace of God.  

We encourage you to schedule a visit to see what God is doing at SBIS.

History of SBIS

HISTORY OF SBIS

Roy C. Drawdy Sr. was a man that believed God had not only called him to be a pastor, but also called him to teach, train and disciple others for ministry.  He began a school of training in 1960 while pastoring Blundale Baptist Church in Swainsboro, Georgia.  Through the years Roy witnessed many come to a personal relationship with The Lord Jesus Christ.  Many of those who received Christ were called by God into the ministry, including all three of his sons.

In 1970, those three sons:  Cliff, Don and Ron Drawdy, began helping with this ministry of teaching and training other ministers.  They put curriculum together and helped launch Southern Bible School.  During the first year of this endeavor they were blessed to take part in over 40 ordinations of men into the ministry.  Realizing more and more that there was a need to provide Biblically based education to those who were already pastoring small churches or those who were financially unable to attend other schools because of the financial burden, they knew that God had placed this call upon their lives.

After the death of Roy’s wife, Fredna Myers, he became Chaplain of Montgomery Correctional Institute in Mt. Vernon, GA.  There he would disciple and train men for ministry who had been incarcerated.  Roy would often say he had been given, “a life sentence from God.”  The brothers continued with their dad, ordaining and educating others for ministry through the school, until Roy went home to be with the Lord in 1992.

The school continued with correspondent students until 1993 when a house and three acres of land at 689 Howard Road in Thomson, Georgia was purchased.  With this property and building there was now a temporary home for the bible school and a mission church which allowed men opportunities to stand up before others to preach and teach.  It was a wonderful experience for these future graduates, many of which became influential pastors in ministry.

The school incorporated the ministry in 1997 as a non-profit church and school in the state of Georgia.  The incorporation name became, Southern Bible Church and School Inc.  With this new incorporation the school name was officially called Southern Bible Institute and Seminary.  The Seminary then bought two 5,000 sq. ft. buildings, with several acres of land located at 4405 Washington Road in Thomson, Georgia and a 7,000 sq. ft. church on 7 acres of land in Edgefield, South Carolina.  

In 2003 the Seminary obtained the landmark and birthplace of the Southern Baptist Convention at 802 Greene Street in Augusta, Georgia.  The Seminary held all of its classes there from 2003 to 2010.  Services began to be held every Sunday with one of the Seminary graduates, B.J. Duncan.  This ministry still continues to offer meals to hundreds of homeless and provide Bible preaching to those in the downtown area.  

Because of the various laws governing Religious and Christian Education, decisions were made to only offer biblical diploma in the state of Georgia, which we continue to offer.  Today, the Seminary is able to offer diplomas and degrees in the state of South Carolina, which became its new permanent home.  By the Grace of God hundreds of men and women have received a biblical education while learning to “rightly divide the Word of Truth”.