Midwest Bible College celebrated their 11th Annual graduation on Friday, June 6. The night highlighted the hard work and accomplishments of the students over the course of the year. Thirty-nine students representing 36 churches walked across the stage and received their diplomas at the Friday night banquet and graduation ceremony.
Dr. R.L. Bowen, Founder and President of Midwest Bible College, wants to give every person who has the desire to learn about the Bible the opportunity to do so. His vision is to have a multicultural Bible College that crosses denominational lines. Despite doubts from members of the community, Dr. Bowen saw the fruition of his vision as students from various cultures and backgrounds came together for the purpose of learning about the Word of God. “Twenty years ago when I first came to Milwaukee, I was told that it would be impossible to have a multi-cultural ministry,” Dr. Bowen said about the beginning of his ministry.
But he would later prove the nay-sayers wrong. “Today, we are so thankful to be multi-cultural and multi-racial in practice.” Over the past eleven years, Midwest Bible College has a seen a total of 384 students graduate with their Associates, Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral degrees in Biblical studies and a post-bachelors Biblical counseling certificate.
Part of the purpose of Midwest Bible College is for the students to return to their churches and help their Pastors in the work of the ministry. Dr. Bowen’s vision for the Bible College is to see every student return to their churches and make a difference in their church and in the community with what they’ve learned. During his commencement address, he spoke directly to the Pastors in the audience and encouraged them that Midwest Bible College was there to support them in the vision that God has given them. “Our purpose here is to raise up students to make a difference for you. We will train them up and send them back to you to help you. Pastors need help. We are here to help,” Dr. Bowen said in his address to the Pastors.
Dr. Bowen’s goal is that every student will find themselves in a deeper walk with the Lord. While developing the curriculum for Midwest Bible College, he wanted to have a Bible-centered curriculum. “Midwest Bible College has developed our own core curriculum. It is certified and accredited. We study the Bible. We don’t study courses about the Bible,” Dr. Bowen remarked. The curriculum is fully accredited through the American Association of Theological Institutions. The graduates in attendance nodded in agreement when Dr. Bowen remarked to the graduating students, “It was hard work. It was sacrifice. It was important that you reached this plateau. You can’t graduate from Midwest Bible College and say, ‘I didn’t learn anything.’”
Midwest Bible College has grown since it first opened the doors in 2004. Two new instructors will join their teaching staff of eight and over the summer, the Associates course will be offered to accommodate the growing student body. This fall, Midwest Bible College plans to offer the Associates course online.
Giving the commencement address to the graduates was Pastor Jim DiPalma, Pastor of World Overcomers Church in Bartlett, Illinois. He encouraged the graduates to stay the course and to not give up. “God knows your limitations. Don’t ever say, ‘I can’t deal with it,’” Pastor DiPalma said to the students. Using examples from the Bible as well as from his beginnings in ministry, Pastor DiPalma emboldened the students to continue to do what God has called them to do regardless of their circumstances. In his address to the students, Pastor DiPalma remarked, “It took the children of Israel forty years. No matter how long it takes, just keep going.”
If you are interested in expanding your knowledge of the Bible and working towards your Associates, Bachelors, Masters, or Doctoral degree in Biblical studies, or if you are interested in donating to the scholarship fund of Midwest Bible College, contact their office at
(414) 546-1234.
