Dr. Richard L. Pratt Jr.

Thirdmill exists to provide “Biblical Education. For the World. For Free.” Most pastors in the world have no theological education and no way to obtain one, so Thirdmill creates a multimedia, seminary-level curriculum and gives it away — in English, Arabic, Mandarin, Russian and Spanish, with resources in many more languages. Today the ministry reports its work reaching 28+ languages, in 187+ countries, through 619+ partnerships with seminaries, Bible colleges, churches and mission organizations.

The lessons are recorded and designed in house. The instructors are seminary professors and theologically trained educators, and the translators are theologically astute native speakers. Every lesson is approved by a Faculty Board of Approval made up of Ph.D.s and Th.D.s with expertise in the fields the lessons cover, and accredited partners such as Belhaven University use the courseware in fully online bachelor's and master's programs in Biblical Studies.

Richard Pratt saw the shortage of trained church leaders firsthand as he traveled for missions in the 1980s, and became convinced that anyone who wants to learn more about the Bible should be able to — in their own language, at no cost. He launched Thirdmill in 1997 and serves as its president, alongside executive director and CEO Eric Linares.

The newest step is Thirdmill Nexus, now in beta: one hub that brings the courses, Q&A knowledgebase, magazine, podcasts and digital books together, with a search that works by meaning and lets students ask questions in their own language. Free courses, free certificates and degrees through partner schools all sit in the same place.