Lori Richey Named Director of Online Learning at Institute for Discipleship

June 6, 2023 (Winfield, Kansas) -- Lori Richey has been named director of online education for the Institute for Discipleship, and will oversee all offerings at BeADisciple.com beginning July 1. BeADisciple.com is part of the Institute for Discipleship at Southwestern College and has offered quality online educational experiences with roots in Wesleyan theology since 2006.  Lisa Buffum, who had been director of BeADisciple.com for 17 years, has taken a position as pastor of a local church.   Richey has been on staff at the Institute for Discipleship since 2018, most recently as program director…continue reading →

DISCIPLE Goes Digital: New App Introduces the Next Generation of the Popular Bible Study

May 1, 2023 – For 35 years, the DISCIPLE Bible Study series has been transforming millions of lives around the world with its print editions, and the popular curriculum is now going digital, the Richard and Julia Wilke Institute for Discipleship and the United Methodist Publishing House jointly announced today. Two 24-week studies in the DISCIPLE series will be the first offerings on the brand-new BeADisciple app, created by the Institute for Discipleship to offer a wide assortment of small-group study material. “This new version combines the robust impact of DISCIPLE with the…continue reading →

Online Certification Opportunities to Begin in August

May 31, 2023 — A new cycle of online ministry certification courses is set to begin Aug. 21, 2023, at BeADisciple.com. BeADisciple.com is part of the Institute for Discipleship at Southwestern College and has offered quality online educational experiences with roots in Wesleyan theology since 2006.  New certifications will be available in spiritual gifts and in young adult ministry. Enrollment is still open in popular areas including children’s ministry, church administration, grief care, music ministry, spiritual formation, and women’s ministries.  Requirements for certification include successful completion of four online courses, and each course…continue reading →

Noted Leadership Expert Cheryl Rude Joins Institute for Discipleship Team

Dr. Cheryl Rude will join the administrative team of the Richard and Julia Wilke Institute for Discipleship on July 1, 2023, transitioning from a distinguished academic career that has made her a national leader in service learning studies. Rude will become the Institute’s director of campus programming and operations following her retirement from the Southwestern College faculty at the conclusion of this academic year. She joined the college in 1991, and was professor of leadership studies and academic director of leadership. Leadership Southwestern, a service learning curricular activity developed under Rude’s guidance, was…continue reading →