Florida Free BIBLE, MISSIONARY & WORK (BMW) Training Center is a school for former Teen Missions team members with a definite call to missions. Its primary purpose is to train and equip the students for missionary life and work through Bible classes and practical training. Tuition is not charged so students can go directly into missions work without the burden of school debt.
BMW is not an accredited school, though some graduated students have received credit for their class work at other Bible colleges. Today, graduates of BMW are serving in a number of ministries in places such as the Philippines, Cameroon, Honduras, the US, Australia and South Africa.
BMW is a ministry of Teen Missions International, a short-term mission agency with the goal of exposing teenagers to world missions. Since the founding of Teen Missions in 1970, over 42,000 youth have gone on teams all over the world. Team members and leaders confirm that this early exposure to missions was a changing point in their lives and many are now missionaries or are involved in full-time ministry.
The idea for BMW came from Teen Missions Director, Robert M. Bland. Mr. Bland saw the need for a low cost Bible school and envisioned a school that former team members desiring to go into missions could attend for free. On October 19, 1988 the Florida Free BIBLE, MISSIONARY & WORK Training Center opened with 18 students. Some came thinking they might have to sleep in tents while others thought they would have to wear boots, as on summer teams. Despite their many speculations, all the students came with a desire to learn about God’s Word. Since that day in 1988 the BMW program has grown and expanded and now includes over 20 schools worldwide. Now former team members around the world can receive Biblical training in their own country.