On Thursday night, Samford University held its graduation for the Ministry Training Institute at the Brock Recital Hall at Samford University.

Seventy-one students received their Diploma in Biblical Studies and 29 received their Advanced Diploma in Biblical Studies. Ten of those students graduated from the Eden Westside School of Biblical Studies site in Pell City. Graduates included Rachel Nelson, Karen Carré, Debra Summers, Corey Young, Jefferey Phillips, Geoff Lowe, Shirley Wallace, Allison Goodenough, Caleb Wrenn and Wendy Gurley.

These 10 students represent the first graduating class of Samford MTI at Eden Westside since the partnership began two years ago between Samford University and Eden Westside School of Biblical Studies.

A Biblical Studies Diploma from Samford University is the most convenient, affordable way to get the pastoral education and training.  A Biblical Studies Diploma takes eight 8-week courses to achieve.  A student receives intensive training and instruction from qualified instructors on deep Bible subjects.  The Ministry Training Institute program was developed to help small town pastors, lay ministers, other preachers and teachers to obtain the training and doctrinal instruction they need to lead classes, congregations and entire church bodies.

The classes are held once per week, on Monday evenings, from 6-9 p.m. Each class is just $50, a small fraction of the cost for the same number of credit hours at Samford University. Each class is worth three credit hours. Classes are held at Eden Westside Baptist Church Eden campus, building A, next to the sanctuary. Rick Earnest is the instructor. Classes are developed and administered through Samford University and Director Dr. Kevin Blackwell.  Samford diplomas are issued to all students who successfully complete the course study.

Classes will begin again on August 20 at the Pell City location for quality, Bible-based instruction while only meeting once per week. MTI Instructors, Rick Earnest and Dr. Chris Crain, St. Clair Baptist Association Director of Missions, will facilitate this quarter.  For more information, visit www.EdenWestside.org or Samford.edu/go/mti.