CHICAGO (November 10, 2009) — At a gala event held in Plymouth, Mich. last week, Moody Bible Institute President Paul Nyquist and Michigan Theological Seminary (MTS) Chairman Rick Warren jointly announced plans for MTS to merge with Moody Bible Institute and join with Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School (MGS). Both boards approved the decision to join the seminaries at their spring 2009 board meetings. The Higher Learning Commission officially approved the merger at their October 29 meeting, stipulating a few additional merger conditions. These issues will be addressed in anticipation of a formal merger agreement to be in place by January 1, 2010.

“MTS and MGS not only align theologically and doctrinally, but this merger combines two schools with the same mission to train and equip students for ministry,” said Jerry Jenkins, Moody board chairman. “As a single entity we can be more effective for the Kingdom.”

Moody currently enrolls 400 students in its seminary program and by merging with MTS, whose enrollment is 200, the school population will move it into the middle tier of seminaries, providing opportunities each school would not have on its own. Additionally, the merger allows more students access to broader study programs, and will enhance students' educational experience by providing access to a diverse faculty in both locations through brilliant classroom technology.

“MTS brings a well-established counseling program and Moody brings an effective online education program―combining the two schools offers students access to courses and ways of studying they may not have had otherwise,” said Dr. Charles Dyer, provost and dean of Education at Moody.

In addition to the exceptional educational benefits of joining the two like-minded graduate schools, the economic potential for better stewardship of resources was an important factor in the discussion to merge.  Joining the two schools into a single entity allows for greater cost savings and efficiency. This will be achieved through the use of a shared technological infrastructure and back-of-the-house operations.

MTS initially approached Moody leadership with this merger possibility in summer 2008, and both schools launched a nine-month due diligence process to explore the option. “Our MTS board is passionate about sustaining solid biblical education in the Detroit area,” said Warren. “We felt that seeking to merge with a school such as Moody would make this not only possible, but would provide even greater potential for the future.”

For more details of the approval, please read the letter from the HLC.

About Moody Bible Institute

Moody Bible Institute of Chicago, Ill. was founded by evangelist Dwight Lyman Moody in 1886 and exists to equip and motivate people to advance the cause of Christ through ministries that educate, edify and evangelize. Moody is best known for its education branch that includes an undergraduate school, seminary, aviation school and distance learning programs. Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School (formerly Moody Graduate School) was started in 1986. 

About Michigan Theological Seminary 

Michigan Theological Seminary (MTS) is an institution of higher learning, training students to be theologically prepared and spiritually mature leaders who will serve the church community in Michigan and worldwide. MTS began classes at its original campus in Ann Arbor, Mich. in 1994. In January 1996 the seminary relocated to the town of Plymouth, on the western outskirts of Greater Detroit.  Presently, the seminary employs eight resident and 14 adjunct faculty.