About DBS
Who Are We?
The Doulos Biblical Seminary, founded in the year 2000, is a center of Christian Studies rooted and grounded primarily in the Holy Bible. It is Pentecostal in its character and positioned to prepare students for Christian Ministry. This seminary is the tangible product of the vision of its founder, Rev. V.P. Jose. It is a wing of the Doulos International Ministries, Inc and a part of the well-known India Gospel Team.
While he was employed in Abu-Dhabi, United Arab Emirates in 1987, he was touched by the scripture Matthew 9:37-38 “the workers are few and the harvest is plentiful” and he recognized God’s call on him to work in the Lord’s vineyard. He decided to resign from his employment, left UAE and joined the Hebron Bible College, Kumbanad, Kerala as a part of his preparation for the ministry and on successful completion of a rigorous program of study he graduated from the College with a B. Th Degree. He has been a student of the word of God and studied at Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary Philadelphia for another B. Th and took his master's degree from Newburgh Theological Seminary Indiana and took his master’s degree and Doctor of ministry degree from Newburgh Theological Seminary, Indiana, USA.
After graduation he pioneered two churches in Kerala and along with the pastoral ministry, he occupied himself as an itinerant speaker at various conventions and conferences on invitation.
He immigrated to the U.S over three decades ago and has been continuously pastoring in I.P.C Churches for the last 32 years. He served the Lord as the senior pastor in IPC Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, IPC Orlando, Florida, IPC Atlanta, Georgia, IPC Shalem Chicago, Illinois and is now serving as the Senior Pastor of IPC Shalem Grand Prairie, Texas. He held the esteemed position of President within the IPC North American South East Region and additionally assumed the role of Convener for the 5th IPC Family Conference of North America. He has also been supporting the Gospel work in India with his own means in various capacities as God enabled.
Doulos Biblical Seminary traces its origins back to February 15, 2000, with the humble inauguration of its first classes in a rented building at Mukkoottuthara, Erumeli, prayerfully inaugurated by Pastor K.M John, the then I.P.C President. Situated near the renowned Sri Ayappa Temple, a prominent Hindu Pilgrim Center in South India, the Seminary now offers C. Th, B. Th, M. Div degrees, as well as B.A, B. Th together in which B.A is UGC approved (Kerala Government). We have more than 1000 graduates in the mission field.
Starting with just 20 students at our first commencement, we saw the continuous growth in enrollment of students along with God providing several well qualified and experienced professors in just the first few years. This growth soon required an expansion of our facilities. We now have a faculty of 22 professors who are visionaries committed to the cause of Christ. God provided a beautiful two-story building close to the Town Center in Vechoochira, on two and half acre land which is more than sufficient for the current needs.
Presently the Seminary is run under the able day-to-day supervision of Principal Dr. John K. Mathew, who was the former vice principal of India Bible College Kumbanad. Our students come from various states of India and upon graduation they serve throughout the country as ministers of the Gospel. We have almost 800 graduates in the mission field ministering as soul winners, Pastors, Bible Translators, Evangelists and Teachers.
Due to the Covid-19 epidemic, the Seminary was compelled to close the in-person classes and utilized on-line classes enrolling students from far and near. 250 students are studying now on-line from many countries including the U.S.A, U.K., Canada, India Gulf Countries, Australia and Israel. The students have now returned to campus as in-person classes have recently resumed.
“Doulos Voice” is our online newsletter aiming to interpret contemporary social issues facing the world as seen through a believer’s eye. It utilizes a well-balanced Ethical, Theological and Christian perspective.
For the past 25 years, the Seminary has maintained its financial independence, ensuring free tuition and boarding for its students, primarily through internal resources.
As stated in the scripture, Godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come