Message From The Director
God has distributed to the church many different gifts and skills for building up the body and providing a witness to those who need Christ. I pray that your experience with the Berachah Institute of Higher Education and Research family will enrich you and glorify our Lord. Our mission statement makes clear our purpose:
“Equipping for Transformation”
All faculty, staff, and administration members seek to serve in a complementary and supportive way. Our goal is to have a teamwork culture as our working philosophy. In this setting, each faculty member/ staff member has defined vital tasks to execute and a role to play. Each one values the contribution and strengths of the others as together, we serve the Master.
Another underlying conviction is that everything that is done ought to be done to the best of our ability and for the glory of our Lord. As Paul said, “Whatsoever you do in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father through him.” This means that in the service of our Lord, we strive for excellence in every area. Each piece of work must be handled for the glory of the Lord and to the best of our abilities.
Finally, we must be models for the Christian life in everything we do. Students here to be developed and trained to serve our Master need to see Christ in us in times of joy or sorrow, success or stress. May we give ourselves with godly enthusiasm to living for and serving our Saviour.
Cordially in Christ.
Dr. Sam Abraham
Director, BIHER
What We Stand For
A quick look at the history, standards, values and beliefs of BIHER
History of BIHER
The vision for the Berachah Institute of Higher Education and Research (BIHER), formerly known as Himachal Bible College, was birthed in Dr. Sam Abraham and within the Berachah Church of God congregation.
Founded by Dr. Abraham in 2004, after an extensive survey of the harvest force and field in Himachal Pradesh and neighboring states, the vision materialized in June 2004 as a School of Discipleship under the Berachah Church of God.
The term ‘Berachah’ translates to ‘valley of blessing.’
The inaugural class comprised twelve students and convened in a rented facility in Himachal Pradesh. From 2005 to 2009, the school expanded to Chandigarh and Jammu & Kashmir, successfully training hundreds of students.
In December 2006, one acre of land was acquired in Palampur, Himachal Pradesh for the Berachah Church of God. Construction of the new facility began in 2008, and the campus became fully operational the same year. In 2016, the institution was renamed Himachal Bible College & Seminary.
In 2015, the college began enhancing its academic programs by pursuing accreditation. In 2018, a Degree of Incorporation was granted by the Asian Theological Association (ATA). In 2023, undergraduate and graduate programs were accredited by Martin Luther Christian University (MLCU).
Effective March 14, 2024, Himachal Bible College and Seminary (HBCS) was renamed to its present title, Berachah Institute of Higher Education and Research (BIHER). This change signifies a new direction with a greater global impact on research and ministry, focusing on equipping individuals through advanced teaching strategies.
BIHER currently offers a one-year Certificate in Theology, a two-year Diploma in Theology, a three-year Bachelor of Theology, a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies, and Master-level degrees in Divinity and Christian Studies.
Additional programs are being considered to meet evolving ministry and academic needs.
This bold venture comes during challenging times. As we witness the erosion of our nation’s spiritual foundation, we believe God is calling individuals to be trained and prepared for His mission in a post-Christian era.
Berachah Institute of Higher Education and Research remains committed to educating and training Christ-followers to serve in local, cross-cultural, and global contexts—whether in full-time ministry or in professional vocations.
Our goal is to strengthen their resolve to be faithful to their calling—for the glory of God, to extend His kingdom, and to perform His will on earth as it is in heaven.
Ethical Standards & Core Values
Berachah Institute of Higher Education & Research (BIHER) has adopted various core values and standards to secure the following objectives:
- Accomplish its goal of excellence in Christian education
- Prepare students to excel in their chosen fields
- Bring glory to the Lord Jesus Christ—the source of all wisdom and knowledge
The administration, faculty, and staff are united in their commitment to achieving these objectives alongside our students.
A safe social and spiritual environment is essential for both spiritual growth and educational excellence.
All members of the BIHER community—including administration, faculty, staff, and students—are expected to:
- Follow biblical principles in daily life
- Encourage proper Christian living among one another
- Conduct themselves in a manner that reflects spiritual maturity and biblical values
- Refrain from behaviors that may hinder the spiritual atmosphere of the college
These core values form the foundation of spiritual transformation at BIHER and are detailed further in the Faculty Handbook under the section titled “Core Values.”
Foundational Underpinnings
Statement of Faith
By the grace of God and the authority of the Holy Bible, we the faculty and administrators of
Berachah Institute of Higher Education and Research (BIHER) subscribe to the following statements:
- The Holy Bible:
We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be God’s verbally and plenary-inspired Word. They are inerrant, infallible, and the final authority for faith and life. The sixty-six books are the complete and divine revelation to man. - God:
We believe in one God—Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth—eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. - Jesus Christ:
We believe in the full deity and humanity of Jesus Christ: His virgin birth, sinless life, atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension, and personal return. Christ is the only way to God. - The Holy Spirit:
The Holy Spirit is our Comforter and Counselor, empowering believers to live godly lives, manifest spiritual gifts and bear fruit. - Sin:
Humanity was created to fellowship with God but fell into sin through Satan’s temptation. All are now estranged from God and incapable of saving themselves without grace. - Salvation:
Salvation is by grace alone. Repentance and faith in Jesus Christ are the only means by which one is reconciled to God. - The Church:
The Church is the global and local body of believers, called to live holy lives, glorify Jesus, and be a witness to the world. - Sacraments:
Baptism by immersion and the Lord’s Supper are to be observed by all believers as acts of obedience and celebration of new life in Christ. - The Great Commission:
Proclaiming the Gospel and making disciples is the Church’s supreme mission and expression of God’s love for the lost. - The Second Coming of Christ:
We believe in the blessed hope of Christ’s return, the resurrection of the saved to eternal life, the judgment of the lost, and the creation of a new heaven and earth.
Vision & Mission Statement
Vision Statement
Berachah Institute of Higher Education and Research will be a premier learning community that intentionally develops leaders with equipping minds, igniting hearts, and empowering hands for global impact.
Mission Statement
To advance God’s mission in every sphere of life by equipping individuals to think theologically, engage globally, and live biblically.
Institutional Values, Purposes & Strategies
Institutional Values
Passion for God and people: To inculcate a strong feeling of love for God and people, becoming models of what it means to be preoccupied with the things of God.
Biblical authority: The Bible, the revealed Word of God, is the foundation and authority for life and ministry.
Servant leadership: It involves the process of imbibing the mind of Christ that endures to influence others by serving Him.
Personal and academic integrity: We strive to see truth and honesty permeating every area of one’s personal life and academics.
Christ-like Character: The goal of our education process is to see the mind of Christ permeating the core of every student, being evidenced by the fruits of the Spirit.
Christ-centered and missional: We believe that the church, even the body of Christ, is the vehicle through which the mission of God is carried out into the world by the enabling power of the Holy Spirit.
Institutional Purposes
Berachah Institute of Higher Education and Research endeavors:
To emphasize biblical studies complemented by the enabling power of the Holy Spirit and activated by “Heads, Hearts and Hands” as developed through biblical studies, Christian life experience, practical ministry, and practical service.
To equip and empower students into extemporary evangelists, church planters, missionaries, disciples, pastors, and theological educators.
To prepare Christian men and women professionally for full-time Christian ministry and leadership development.
To provide biblical Christian education opportunities for Christ-chosen people.
To train students in Academic, Character, and Spiritual formation.
To provide a positive Christian influence in the community by providing educational, cultural, and spiritual activities.
To create disciples, theologically trained and firm in the knowledge of the Gospel, to carry forth the truth to the unreached, thereby fulfilling the Great Commission of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Institutional Strategies
Developing competency in Biblical languages for sound exposition of the Word of God: Great emphasis is given to develop competency in biblical language to equip the students to do sound exposition of the Word.
Holistic and mission-focused curriculum for academic excellence: The curriculum gives a holistic approach enduring to build academic excellence.
Providing opportunities for spiritual growth and maturity: The students are given sufficient tailor-made opportunities for spiritual growth and maturity.
Identifying, developing, and sharpening spiritual gifts: We endeavor to identify, develop, and sharpen spiritual gifts so that the leaders would serve the Lord effectively.
Distinctiveness
Our Organisational Teams
We strive for perfecion in everyday tasks through our excellent teams
Administrative Team
The BIHER Administration team consists of the Board of Directors and the Advisory Board, both of which play essential roles in governance, strategic planning, and overall management. Working closely together, these boards ensure the success of BIHER in all aspects. Their combined efforts guarantee operational effectiveness, achievement of the BIHER’s mission, and provision of high-quality education.
The Board of Directors
The Board of Directors meet once each academic year to ensure the smooth functioning of the Institute. Its functions and responsibilities include working towards maintaining the confidence and trust of all stakeholders, including students, faculty, staff, and alumni. The Board also ensures that those assigned authority for various nodal functions, both within and outside the institution, carry out their duties effectively.
Management Team
The management team at BIHER is comprised of the Principal, the Dean of Academics, the Controller of Examinations, and the Registrar. The Principal serves as the chairman of the team. The functions of the management team are very important to the success of the BIHER institution. These include planning, organizing, leading, and controlling, and they are essential for effective management and achieving the day to day organizational goals.
Our Faculty
Rev. Robin C. Varughese
Dean of Academics & Administration
Rev. Anu Varghese
COE, Head of Spiritual Affairs
Mr. Emmanuel Basumatary
Joint Registrar, Head of Student Affairs
Mr. Gaiphiuguang Gonmei
Deputy COE, Deputy Registrar
Contact
- +91 88833 08330
- PO Box 4, Palampur Post Office, Himachal Pradesh, India, 176061
- info@biher.education