Purpose

In an effort to provide opportunities for non-traditional students to engage in a serious study of the Bible and related Christian subjects, and to serve the needs of the Baptist constituency of Oklahoma and other states through the development of informed, enlightened and sensitive leaders, OBU [Oklahoma Baptist University], in cooperation with the Office of Ministerial Services of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, began the Ministry Training Institute in 1983.

Specifically, the goal is to offer college-level training for adults who
(1) are vocational or bi-vocational ministers and who are presently serving as pastors or staff members of local churches,
(2) who have responded to God's calling into ministry but have not yet had the opportunity to serve in a local church, and
(3) are lay persons who desire to become better equipped servants of God in their local churches.
Ministry Training Institute centers are located in various locations around Oklahoma and in other states.

Programs & Leader Certificates

Course credit earned through MTI classes can be applied toward a diploma in Christian studies, Associate of Arts degree, or a Bachelor of Arts degree from Oklahoma Baptist University. General education courses required in the AA and BA degrees are not offered through the MTI, but students can transfer them from another accredited college or university.

A certificate may be earned for the completion of certain sets of courses related to specific ministry tasks. Although these are aimed at encouraging lay persons in the church to pursue training for the Kingdom work to which they are called, anyone who completes the required courses can receive the certificate.

• DIPLOMA IN CHRISTIAN STUDIES-42 hours
   
• ASSOCIATE OF ARTS DEGREE IN CHRISTIAN STUDIES-64 hours
   
• BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE IN CHRISTIAN STUDIES-128 hours
   
• A SECOND BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE IN CHRISTIAN STUDIES-32 hours minimum
   
• OUTREACH LEADER CERTIFICATE-12 hours, requires completion of the following courses:
  • AMIN 218 Evangelism
    
  • AMIN 275 Principles and Methods of Missions (a new course this fall)

•   Two of the following:
  • AMIN 199 Church Planting
  • AMIN 275 Survey of Missions
  • REL 341 Christian Doctrines
  • REL 342 World Religions

Enrollment Information

Tuition for this program is considerably less than OBU's on-campus charges as well as other colleges throughout the state. Tuition does not include price of books or materials that may be needed for the classes. Fees are paid at the local MTI centers at the beginning of each semester.

Tuition is $79 per semester hour + $85 non-refundable registration fee per semester + $5 study guide fee [payable to SCBI]. One third of the total is required at time of registration.

Scholarships: available $10.00 per semester hour for Indiana Southern Baptists who are licensed, ordained, or have responded publicly to God´s call to a paid Christian vocation and their spouses.

Degrees: Enroll in pursuit of a Diploma in Christian Studies (42 hours), which can lead to Associate of Arts (64 hours) and Bachelor of Arts (128)

*Must be at least 26 years of age. Individual approval needed for enrollment under 26 years of age. High School Diploma or GED required of OBU Diploma.

*Fully accredited through Oklahoma Baptist University. All instruction in accordance with Baptist Faith & Message/SBC Peace Committee Report. To Enroll or to request more information, contact the Center Coordinator in your area, or call (317) 481-2400 ext 250, or write Indiana Learning Center, 900 North High School Road, Indianapolis, Indiana 46214.

Student Information Sheet

Textbooks

The OBU bookstore will sell textbooks needed for MTI classes directly to the students. Once they have chosen their courses, students can do one of the following:

a) Go to www.okbu.edu/mti and click on the link listing "course offerings" where they will find a list of courses. By clicking on their course, they will see a course description and the textbooks required.

b) Go directly to okbu.bkstore.com (don't use "www"). On the right hand side of that page click on the link provided for MTI students, find their course, order their books online and the bookstore will ship the books to their door.

c) Fax their order to the OBU bookstore at 405.878.2177 using the attached form.

d) Phone in their oder by calling 405.878.2411.

Locations

* Northwest: Crown Point
* East Central: Muncie
* North Central: Elkhart
* Southwestern: Evansville
* Crossroads: Indianapolis
* Wabash Valley: Lafayette
* White River: Terre Haute
* Whitewater Center: Greensburg
* Eastern: Dublin

Online courses are available through Oklahoma Baptist University. These are intended to meet the needs of persons who do not live near an MTI center, or to supplement the offerings of MTI centers.