About Sozo Bible Institute
Chaplain Ann M. Wolf’s history with SBI Content: You may be wondering how Chaplain Ann M. Wolf came to include Sozo Studies at BTC Online Library. It so happens that she is a graduate of two Bible Colleges, one being the former Sozo Bible Institute. Inspired by the Lessons from SBI, she now shares them with her visitors here at BTC Online Library. She gained permission to use the writings, “as the Spirit leads in her ministry” from the writer, Rev. G. E. Newmyer, prior to his passing from this world.
SBI Bible Institute has been closed for over a decade, but Chaplain Ann is continuing to share the work that her teacher, Rev. Gary E. Newmyer had completed by making his Lessons available to people around the world on a free-will, love-offering basis.
Making Quality Training Available & Accessible: The Former Sozo Bible Institute was founded by Rev. G. E. Newmyer as an online spiritual education site with the mission of providing quality Bible Study content as well as leadership training to people from all nations, regardless of their ability to pay tuition fees and regardless of their denominational affiliation. The Bible College was funded by free will love-offerings and donations, a very faith-directed and rare practice indeed. That tradition is being carried forward here at BTC Online Library.
“Freely ye have received, freely give”: Rev. Newmyer believed strongly in the Biblical Principle of “the receiving of tithes and offerings,” as they apply to New Testament Ministers based on, “Freely ye have received, freely give.” Matthew 10:8 (KJV). So, we carry on his tradition here at BTC Online Library and offer in love, this content, that it might edify and comfort those in the Body, as well as help to prepare those who are called to minister. We do so without the “charging of specific fees,” or “mandatory percentages,” (or what he would have referred to as the unfortunate practice of “selling the dove”) in exchange for access to the Study Content or BTC Gatherings (other than material/operational costs). We ask that those who share BTC Online Library Content with others at their non-profit functions also observe the same policy and Biblical mandate. Read terms of use.
Former Students of Sozo Bible Institute (SBI): If you are a former student of Pastor Newmyer’s …Welcome! You will find all of the Sozo Bible Studies at BTC Online Library, as they were originally posted by Rev. Newmyer at his Sozo Bible Institute, with the exception of segments regarding administrative specifics of the former SBI Institute that would no longer apply. In our Menu you will find, “Genesis to Revelation,” plus his “Sozo Short Bible Studies” and also his marvelous, “Bible for Young Folks.”
About the Version of Sozo Studies that are here at BTC Online Library: Pastor Newmyer’s material, available on the Becoming the Church Online Library, is in its original form, as penned by him with only a few alterations having been made with regard to punctuation, spelling or grammar, but never to the content. Chaplain Ann M. Wolf has added pictures to some articles to enhance the study experience. Scroll to read Chaplain Ann's letter for more about this.
From the Sozo Bible Institute Archives: Here at BTC Online Library you will find both topical lessons in short form (Sozo Short Studies) as well as comprehensive explorations of the Bible via the expository resource, “Genesis to Revelation” which offers insightful commentary, paragraph by paragraph, starting with the opening verses of Scripture, taking you all the way through the conclusion of the Book of Revelation. Within “Genesis to Revelation,” you also discover additional lessons with regard to Church History, Spiritual Warfare, Metaphors, the Doctrine of Christ, and Basic Principles of Christian Living as applied to walking in Mercy while holding to Grace. Reverend Newmyer even remembered our Young Folks, with a synopsis of critical points of Scripture, which by the way, also happens to be a great study experience for people of all ages when looking for a review of the highlights of the Bible.
A Note from Chaplain Ann M. Wolf, regarding different available “versions” of Rev. Newmyer’s writings:
Dear Family in Christ;
Since the passing of Rev. Newmyer from this world, the Sozo Bible Institute staff made a decision to close its doors and take down the original teaching website. Yet, because these Lessons and Short Studies (written by the Pastor) have been made available to many folks including other Sozo Bible Institute alumni… and of course, to certain individuals who were close to the Pastor during his life… we know that there may be many “versions” of his work or abbreviations thereof, circulating around, which at times, could be quite different in nature from what the author originally wrote or intended.
As already stated above, Pastor Newmyer’s material, available on the Becoming the Church Online Library, is in its original form, as penned by him with only a few alterations having been made with regard to punctuation, spelling or grammar, but never to the content.
Also, since the “Introduction” Chapter to the Lessons in Genesis to Revelation (as well as the final Chapter of the Lessons regarding “The Holy Spirit”) were directed to students of the former Sozo Bible Institute, we have omitted these two sections at Becoming the Church Online Library; but we continue on with the 28 core Lessons which apply to all God-seekers. You will also find Sozo Short Studies, Lessons for Young Folks, while more of Rev. Newmyer’s Newsletters (from the Sozo Bible Institute archives) will be added in the future.
Of course, no “study” or “commentary” should ever replace the Bible itself or be seen in any way as “more important” than Scriptures; but from personal experience I have seen that there is a God-inspired reason why each sentence in these Lessons has been placed in the order in which it was written into the overall teaching process as penned by Rev. Newmyer. This supports understanding that is being built over time, premise upon premise, as the student progresses through the Lessons, from start to finish.
Especially since the Pastor is not with us on earth at this point and therefore cannot speak on behalf of his body of work…utmost respect has been given, to leave his original material alone and let the Holy Ghost lead the readers through the learning process provided through these Lessons, as was originally intended.
So, at BTC Online Library, we are not able to vouch for any other manuscripts (which list the author as Rev. G. E. Newmyer); but we can say that these transcripts published here, came to us directly from the Pastor’s office, while he was yet on earth with permission to use the content, “as the Spirit led our ministry.”
So, with that being said, you are most welcome to “jump in” for a fresh dip into a cool pool of soul-satisfying inspiration, perhaps starting with the “Short Studies” and then traveling on through the other Lessons offered via “Genesis to Revelation,” and of course, “The Bible for Young Folks.”
Feel free to Contact Us with questions and concerns and God Bless you in your journey!
Sincerely,
Chaplain Ann M. Wolf