Ambassador Update

Institute for Discipleship

Ambassadors nurture the life of the Institute for Discipleship

through their prayers, advocacy, and financial support,

advancing the Kingdom of God worldwide.

Aspiration

As we start a new year at the Institute for Discipleship, Christ-centered aspiration fills the air. The new Ambassador program is one of the reasons!

This quarterly newsletter will be emailed to you so that you can stay current on the work of the Institute and know the difference you are making in the world through your support. Each newsletter will spotlight different Institute programs, outcomes, and impact. For the strong support needed to assure the quality and longevity of our work, we are striving for 100 Ambassadors by January 2025. We are so glad you are one of our founding members.

Steve Wilke

Institute for Discipleship Executive Director

Remember, an Ambassador prays for the persons and programs of the Institute, suggests others who might be interested, and provides an annual financial gift.

Thank you for being an Ambassador,

Steve Wilke

Information About Being an Ambassador

Aspiration: BeADisciple.com

Lofty goals are in place for the next three years at BeADisciple.com. The Institute's online learning arm has seen a boom in enrollments during the past two years, with much of that increase credited to pandemic home restrictions.

In 2019, 2,423 students enrolled in 269 BeADisciple courses, and that number jumped to 3,085 students enrolling in 356 courses in the COVID-19 year of 2020. Enrollment stayed strong in 2021.

Lisa Buffum and Steve Wilke

Now the staff has set its sights on a goal of reaching 5,000 enrollments per year by Jan. 1, 2025. Lisa Buffum, director of online education, says the intent is to provide more than 500 paid instructor-led courses each year with 50 paid instructors.

In a nationally-circulated article in the United Methodist News, Buffum pointed out that the courses are having an impact outside of their United Methodist roots. “As our reach spreads, we started to find other denominations. [Now] we have a huge umbrella,” she said.

Visit the BeADisciple.com website

Aspiration: Worldwide Reach Through App

Around the world, not everyone has access to computers or internet connection. Nearly everyone, though, has access to a smartphone.

That realization has led to the setting of another ambitious Institute for Discipleship goal: 5,000 persons each year with small group Bible study experience without geographical constraints. To reach this goal, a BeADisciple Study App is in its final stages of development, with a vision of 500 volunteer-led classes being offered on the app by

Jan. 1, 2025.

Sarah Wilke will spearhead the marketing as director of global relations, exploiting her experience in communications, community development, and international relations. Kathy Armington is overseeing the development of the app and will transition into the small group leader for acquisition and support.

The app, available to anyone who has a cell phone with internet, will provide access to read and hear Scripture as well as study materials. The price to use the app is not set yet while the institute works out royalty issues and ongoing tech fees. The first test small group is planned for March or April, with a larger second group coming next fall.

Read About Sarah Wilke's New Role

Interested in donating toward our 2022 goals?

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