With the goal of providing accessible theological instruction for a broader community of Christian women, Midwestern Seminary recently announced a new slate of online courses available this fall through the Midwestern Women’s Institute.
“Over the past eight years, we have had the privilege of offering training and equipping opportunities for women in and around our campus community,” said President Jason Allen. “Now, after months of planning, we are excited to extend the same, high-quality theological and ministry training to women everywhere.
“Women have long-served vital areas within the local church and played key roles in spreading the gospel. These new online courses, offered through the Midwestern Women’s Institute, will afford them the opportunity to develop their God-given spiritual gifts and abilities to an even fuller extent. What is more, they can do so right where they are in their current home and ministry contexts.”
The Midwestern Women’s Institute is a residential and online certificate program that offers a base curriculum consisting of courses in biblical studies, theology, church history, evangelism, missions, discipleship, and biblical interpretation. By completing ten core Institute courses, participating students can earn a Certificate in Christian Studies. The Institute also offers an advanced certification option upon completion of 15 core courses. Women who complete the MWI Certificate also meet the wives’ theological-education requirement for IMB service.
Prior to announcing the new online course offerings, MWI offered instruction in residential settings only. Beginning in the Fall 2021 semester, students can choose from among four online courses: Old Testament I and New Testament I during Midwestern Seminary’s Online A-Term, which runs August through October, and Old Testament II and New Testament II, which are offered in the Online B-Term, from mid-October through December.
Karen Allen, director of the Midwestern Women’s Institute, said the online course additions represent an exciting step forward for Midwestern Seminary’s women’s initiatives.
“In 2013, we launched the Midwestern Women’s Institute on our campus in Kansas City,” said Allen. “Since then, our goal has been to equip women to serve their families, churches, and communities by providing them with ministry training, spiritual encouragement, and biblical fellowship. For the past eight years, we’ve connected with hundreds of women, including many wives of seminary students and women within the greater Kansas City community.
“Through these new online courses, we are excited to extend our training efforts beyond our campus community to women across the nation and around the globe.”
The cost for online MWI courses is $10 per course for members of SBC churches and $20 per course for members of non-SBC churches. Students seeking to apply must have earned a high school diploma.
To register and to learn more about MWI and the MWI certificate program, visit mbts.edu/mwi