Our Curriculum
At Altitude we have developed a one year training program that broadly mixes theology, history and practical application.
We want each of our students to be equipped and enabled to impact a wide range of people and to reach
across many boundaries.
Our training material has been brought together from various sources, incorporated with material developed by
Altitude and Oxygen Life Church. Altitude is not an accredited course in itself, but each student will receive a certificate
of attendance after the year has been completed.
The curriculum of Altitude has been compiled by experienced ministers, and combines the input of Oxygen Life
leaders with the resources available within the Four12 partnership of churches. The goal behind Oxygen Life
leaders presenting certain classes is to create a teaching environment that involves theory as well as application,
delivered by people who’ve gained experience and understanding through their leadership roles within the church.
We believe that this gives students the best opportunity to grow during their teaching times.
Systematic Theology:
Using a topical approach, this subject will aid students to develop a whole-Bible theology on the major doctrines of the Christian faith.
Christian Life & Spiritual Growth:
The aim of this course is to equip students with the necessary foundations and tools for a grounded spiritual life.
Practical Ministry:
This course equips students with the practical skills needed to be a
well-rounded and effective minister,
communicator and leader.
Life Skills:
To help students learn skills and abilities that will enable them to live life in a real world. This can include topics like cooking, stewarding finances, and first aid.
Ultimately, we want to equip our students to fulfill their God-given destinies, not just present information to
them. The curriculum serves the greater purpose of leading each student into a genuine relationship with God, a
development of their personal character, and a sense of clarity about what God is calling them to in their lives.
Our entire course is done in English, so while we welcome international students and will provide any information
that is needed, the ability to do the entire program in English is compulsory.
Serving & Training
Serving and Practical training (or outreaches as we call them), will give the students the opportunity to put into practice what they have been taught. Practical training does not only equip the student, but also serves as a catalyst for releasing the student into active ministry. By exposing the student to different disciplines of Christian ministry, we create a reasonable perception of ministry, thus aiding the student in the process of clarifying his or her own call to ministry while spreading the Word of God and ministering to others! There are also numerous visits to the different Oxygen Life congregations (as part of ministry times, and also as part of fellowship times) that will have a big influence on the training and shaping of every student.
Oxygen Life Church
Each Altitude student will be actively involved in Oxygen Life Church, living out the values and disciplines that
we see in the New Testament. They’ll be brought into genuine fellowship beyond a Sunday meeting, and into an environment where discipleship and community receives a strong emphasis.
For more information about Oxygen Life Church, please visit our website at www.oxygenlife.co.za.
Ministry
There are several schools in Port Elizabeth where our Altitude team does outreaches; holding meetings, embarking on activities and spending time with the scholars. In addition, there are youth camps and other outreaches into communities for the team to take part in.
There are many areas and people groups that live in poverty, and the Altitude team will occasionally have the opportunity to bring practical help and spiritual guidance to the people in those communities. This is all done in partnership with a local church, and will help the team grow personally by learning compassion and servanthood.
Outreach
Each week the team members commit to a particular outreach, which might include evangelism, spending time with children or helping at a babies’ home. This is an invaluable part of the practical training, because it creates a consistent outlet of practical helping in the community, creating a lifestyle of service towards those in need.
The team will also have the opportunity to travel to churches in other parts of South Africa, where they’re able to apply what they’ve been learning and have an influence in a wider context. This will create a chance for leadership gifts to develop even further, and for relationships to be built in other parts of the country.
