How this has been possible is made clear when one learns a little about the history of Ministerial Training School and its purpose: 

The Ministerial Training School has been functioning as an extension of Gilead School, since 1987.  A very clear description of its purpose is outlined in the 1996 Yearbook Report, on page 3, which begins,

"Through the prophet Isaiah, Jehovah God addressed his beloved organization, saying: "All your sons will be persons taught by Jehovah, and the peace of your sons will be abundant." (Isaiah . 54:10, 13) Jesus Christ quoted those words when explaining the work that his Father was doing by means of him as a teacher...Over a period of more than 1,960 years, that work of education has continued, preparing a little flock made up of people from "every tribe and tongue and people and nation" to serve with Christ in his heavenly Kingdom....But the program of divine teaching is not limited to the little flock.

"Jehovah also gave Isaiah a vision of a great throng of people out of all nations—prospective children of God—going up to the mountain of Jehovah to be instructed in His ways. (Isaiah. 2:2-4) In harmony with that vision, Jesus commanded his followers to "make disciples [or, make learners] of people of all the nations, . . . teaching them to observe all the things" that he had heard from his Father and had taught them. (Matt. 28:19, 20) Today that work of education is moving ahead at breathtaking speed."

Continuing on page 16, we read of the description of the Ministerial Training School and the large part it has played in carrying out this worldwide educational work.  Under the subheading Positive Effects of Ministerial Training School, it relates, "During the year, classes of the Ministerial Training School also continued to be held. This school, with its own eight-week course, functions as an extension of Gilead School, which is now located at the Watchtower Educational Center, at Patterson, New York. More students attended the Ministerial Training School than in any other service year.

"In the first five months of 1995, the school was inaugurated in the Central African Republic, the Dominican Republic, India, New Caledonia, Peru, Portugal, and Zaire. This now makes a total of 34 countries where the school has been held. During just the past service year, 79 classes were conducted and 1,836 students graduated. Assembly Halls, branch properties, and Kingdom Halls have provided suitable facilities for the classes."

Page 17, continues: "Besides the 34 countries where the school has been conducted, graduates of this school are serving in 67 other lands and territories. They have been assigned to most of the territories in Eastern Europe and the lands of the former Yugoslavia, as well as to Malawi and Mozambique, where the work had been banned for many years. Theocratic education provided through this school is having far-reaching results."

Bringing us more up to date, on the number of Ministerial Training School graduates, the 2005 Watchtower, July 1, page 22 reports: 

"At the dawn of the 20th century, preaching was reported in only a few lands, but at present, Jehovah’s Witnesses are active in 235 lands! Truly, the Kingdom good news is being proclaimed even to "the ends of the earth."—Isaiah 45:22.

"What accounts for such progress? Many things. Missionaries trained at the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead and, more recently, upwards of 20,000 graduates of the Ministerial Training School have made a huge contribution."

For those interested in attending the Ministerial Training School, valuable information answering the following questions is outlined in the Our Kingdom Ministry, August 2004, pages 3-4, in the article, "Ministerial Training School—A Large Door That Leads to Activity":

• What is the purpose of the Ministerial Training School?

• How long is the course?

• What are the requirements for attending?

• Is there an age limit?

• What kind of curriculum is followed?

• What happens after graduation?

• What are the benefits?

Below, this article is quoted in its entirety:

Ministerial Training School—A Large Door That Leads to Activity

¹ Through the prophet Jeremiah, Jehovah foretold: "I will raise up over [my people] shepherds who will actually shepherd them; and they will be afraid no more, neither will they be struck with any terror, and none will be missing." (Jeremiah. 23:4) Such a shepherding work is being accomplished today among people of all the nations. This is being done by tens of thousands of congregation elders. In addition, a company of young men as numerous as dewdrops have offered themselves willingly in Jehovah’s service. (Ps. 110:3) What a blessing these humble brothers are to the congregations of God’s people! As the spiritual ingathering work continues, there is yet a need for qualified men to make themselves available to serve their brothers.

² A fine provision to train single elders and ministerial servants for increased responsibilities is the Ministerial Training School. More than 22,000 students from some 140 countries have received this training in the 999 classes that have been held since the school’s inception in 1987. For these brothers, the school has proved to be "a large door that leads to activity."—1 Cor. 16:9.

³ Purpose of the School: The aim of the Ministerial Training School is to train and equip qualified men for responsibilities wherever there may be a need in the organization. The school heightens their abilities for taking the lead in the evangelizing work, sharing in shepherding the flock, and teaching in the congregation. After graduating, some students are assigned as special pioneers or traveling overseers in their home countries or abroad. Others receive assignments to serve with their home congregations or in areas where there is a greater need within the branch territory.

⁴ During the eight-week course, students undertake an intensive study of the Bible. They carefully consider a wide array of Bible teachings as well as shepherding responsibilities and guidelines for handling problems in Christian living. They also learn what the Scriptures teach about administrative, judicial, and organizational matters. They receive specialized training in public speaking and are given personal assistance to accelerate their spiritual development.

⁵ Requirements: Understandably, the requirements to attend the school are high. Applicants must have served as elders or ministerial servants for at least two consecutive years. All must be single and between the ages of 23 and 50. Applicants must be able to read, write, and speak fluently the language in which the school is conducted, and they must be in good health, not requiring special care or diet. Preference is given to those in regular pioneer service.

⁶ Those who volunteer must be willing and able to serve wherever they are needed. This calls for a spirit like that of the prophet Isaiah, who eagerly offered himself to do a special work, saying: "Here I am! Send me." (Isaiah. 6:8) He also demonstrated humility throughout his life. Those making themselves available for the Ministerial Training School should be motivated by love for their brothers and a desire to serve them rather than a desire for prominence or special status. After receiving such fine training, graduates are expected to apply what they learned to the benefit of others.—Luke 12:48.

⁷ Benefits: During the eight weeks of intense training, graduates are "nourished with the words of the faith and of the fine teaching." (1 Tim. 4:6) This equips them to assist and encourage others in their assigned congregations and circuits. In many locations where graduates of the Ministerial Training School have been assigned, field activity has increased; pioneer service has been encouraged, especially among younger ones; and more personal attention has been given to the many new ones associating with God’s people.

⁸ Are you a single elder or ministerial servant between the ages of 23 and 50? Why not consider applying for the Ministerial Training School? Are you a young brother contemplating your long-range goals in Jehovah’s service? Why not keep your life simple and free of distractions so that you can enter this "large door that leads to activity"? It can bring you much joy and satisfaction. Indeed, the Ministerial Training School has proved to be a blessing not just to the graduates of the school but to the congregations of God’s people worldwide.

How They Benefited From the Training:

• "The training has truly enhanced my ministry and my ability to shepherd with wisdom, using the Scriptures."

• "The school has given me a lot more confidence in handling my various responsibilities in the congregation."

• "It has changed almost every aspect of my life, including the way that I feel about theocracy and God’s organization."

• "The training I received helped me appreciate the need to make myself available to serve where there is a need."

[Our Kingdom Ministry, August 2004, pages 3-4, in the article, "Ministerial Training School—A Large Door That Leads to Activity"]

You can familiarize yourself further with this school by reading the references under "Ministerial Training School" in the Watch Tower Publications Indexes for 1986-2006 or through research using the Watchtower Library CD.  Do you see that ‘large door of activity’ opening before you?

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