2nd Year Bible School
Through in-depth biblical study and training within an intentional community and cross-cultural setting, our 2nd year program is designed to help you grow further in your life with Christ and being a 'torchbearer' to the world which desperately needs the light of the gospel.
Ascend
Through in-depth biblical study and training within an intentional community and cross-cultural setting, our second year program "Ascend" is designed to help you go higher in your life with Jesus Christ.
Go higher in your understanding of God’s Word and your ability to teach and proclaim it.
Go higher in your commitment to Christian Service - serving within the Albanian church.
Go higher in your awareness and involvement in cross-cultural ministry.
Course Overview
Ascend is for anyone who has completed a first year of Bible School at any Torchbearers center (or similar school) or has had significant ministry experience. The program focuses on theological study, intentional mentoring, and missional ministry experiences.
Picture the Ascend program as a set of train tracks winding up the Albanian mountains next to our campus. One rail is the Word. Ascend students will learn Biblical exegesis as they study Scripture. They will have opportunities to present Biblical lessons to others.
The other rail is missional service. Small groups of students will engage with partner churches for several weeks each semester around Albania. Additionally, students will participate in weekly ministries of the local church.
The railroad ties and rock foundation are the community students live in. This structure is the place students experience the indwelling, transformational life of Christ together. It is here, in this intense, life-giving and life-receiving community that spiritual formation takes place.
This program is conducted in English only.
Rail One: The Word
For over 70 years, the central thrust of Torchbearers around the world has been the indwelling life of Christ found through the study of the Scriptures. Because of the small group size of our Ascend program, there is great potential for learning and studying together. The teaching format involves more discussion and time with teachers and staff. Outside of the classroom, there are focused times for students and staff to study Biblical subjects together, have book studies and work on assignments together.
Location: Albania, Greece & Italy
Ascend provides incredible opportunities to go deeper in the Scriptures and develop students’ walk with Christ in a cross-cultural, missional context. Living on campus in Erseka, Albania, students will also travel inside and outside Albania working alongside local churches and missionaries. Students will visit and study in Athens, Corinth, Philippi, Berea and Thessaloniki learning about Paul’s missionary journeys and the early church, first hand.
In Rome, the early church was formed through persecution in places like the Colosseum. We will follow in the footsteps of Paul and Peter who spent their final years here. Picture yourself standing in the dark prison cell, which still exists, where Paul wrote his second letter to Timothy. Imagine standing in the place where Peter was most likely martyred. This is a fantastic week and is always a highlight for students.
[Above: Students on the exact road that Paul walked to Philippi when he brought the Gospel to Europe]
Locations:
Albania, Greece & Israel
The Second Year Bible School is an incredible opportunity to go deeper into the Scriptures and develop your walk with Christ in a cross cultural, missional context. You will live on campus in Erseka, Albania, but will also travel inside and outside of Albania working alongside the local church and missionaries. Students will visit and study in Athens, Corinth, Philippi, Berea and Thessaloniki to learn more about Paul’s missionary journeys and the early church, first hand.
With the current situation in Israel, we may not be able to go there as a class, and will go to Rome instead. In Rome, the early church was formed through persecution in places like the Colosseum. We will follow in the footsteps of Paul and Peter who spent their final years here. Picture yourself standing in the dark prison cell, which still exists, where Paul wrote his second letter to Timothy. Imagine standing in the place where Peter was most likely martyred.
[Above: Students on the exact road that Paul walked to Philippi when he brought the Gospel to Europe]
2027-2028 Dates and Fees
Two terms (from end of September through end of March).
1st Term: September 25, 2027 – December 18 , 2027 (12 weeks)
2nd Term: January 8, 2028 – April 1, 2028 (12 weeks)
Cost for both terms: 8,200 Euros for international students and 180,000 Lek for Albanian students. Cost covers all course fees, food, lodging and school trips.
Spring & Summer Service Opportunities
Summer: June 15 - September 15
Be a part of the thriving summer camping program where you are part of a team of Albanian and international staff and volunteers, helping to impact the lives of nearly 2000 children and youth from all over Albania. Volunteers help with the ropes course, climbing gym, archery, large group games, hikes, dish-washing and canoeing.
Cost: 80 Euros per week (includes food, lodging and all staff activities). We can work with you to find a good schedule based on your situation.
Registration opens Oct. 5!
If you have any questions, reach out to: udhekryq@aol.com
1st Year Bible School
Crossroads offers both a 1st year and 2nd year 24-week course (two 12-week semesters) with a focus on in-depth studies of many of the books of the Bible. Christ-centered, theological topics are taught as well. Resident staff and international guest speakers teach at the school.
Summer Camps
Since the year 2000, children and young people have been coming from all over Albania to camp at Crossroads. Crossroads was the first camp center in Albania and has been running summer camps each summer for 19 years now with nearly 2000 campers coming each year.