HISTORY OF ELIM SCHOOL OF MINISTRY
Out of a heart to equip members of a local church for ministry and to enable, empower and endorse 
those individuals who are called to full-ministry, Pastor Gregory Vinson, along with other Elim Community Church staff and advisors, birthed Elim Community Church’s Internship experience, in January of 1994. With the overtone of reaching, serving, giving, and building, Elim’s Internship continues to evolve and expand to provide quality environments and opportunities for individuals to truly be an Oasis for a hurting and lost world through the local church setting.
It has been a dream of Pastor Vinson for 14 years to be able to give not only a practical biblical Internship to ECC, but also to provide the opportunity of a solid Biblical education with a solid accreditation. In August 2007, the vision of providing College level quality education was launched and ECC Internship began to offer evening classes in conjunction with their Internship program. Yet during this time of stepping out in faith to believe the dream, Pastor Vinson had only ½ of the dream fulfilled, he dreamed about not only providing the quality of education but the ability to offer a College Degree program… … but in 2008 while on a sabbatical to Louisiana to visit his best friend, he became aware of the Logos Christian College and their mission to enable the local church to provide a practical yet theological education for their people.
Through the help and assistance of Healing Place Church (Baton Rouge, LA) and their School of Ministry, the second half of the dream is now coming to pass. As Elijah said, I can see a cloud the size of a man’s hand!
In March 2008, more momentum was gained as Elim Community Church meshed its unique blend of hands on ministry with accredited Biblical studies and reshaped to become Elim School of Ministry. Now Interns/Students can earn either an accredited Associate in Biblical Studies and/or a Bachelor in Applied Theology.
Over the past 15 years, God has graced us with multiple ministry experiences, thousands of hours dedicated to the local church and outreach, hours of impactful Biblical teaching, and endless lives touched by the selfless sacrifice of every intern, member, and staff at ECC. As Elim continually takes strides for maximum impact for the cause of Christ, we are ever expectant of God’s hand to continue to guide in our pursuit to truly be an Oasis for a hurting and lost world.