Building on a Baptist Heritage Maranatha Baptist Seminary Maranatha Baptist Seminary, building on the nearly 40-year heritage of Maranatha Baptist Graduate School of Theology, officially opened its doors in the fall of 2009. Dr. Larry Oats, current dean of the Seminary, was one of the School of Theology’s first graduates. He earned a Master of Divinity in 1974 and has served on the faculty and administration of Maranatha since that time. “Our desire is to continue the legacy of educating men for pastoral ministry and related fields, and women for ministry in missions, writing, and counseling,” shared Oats. “Our vision is to grow a Seminary that excels in leadership, scholarship, and—most importantly—a heart for ministry.”
Annie and Josh Moore in Ireland in 2012
Church Site Program Maranatha partners with pastors and churches that desire to provide seminary degrees or individual courses for church staff, interns, or church members. Students can complete an MA in Bible or Intercultural Studies or an MDiv degree; or they can take courses for credit or personal enrichment—all without traveling to Wisconsin. Learn more about our church sites online at mbu.edu/ churchsite.
Students now have the opportunity to attend Maranatha Baptist Seminary and train for ministry from wherever they are in the world. A variety of programs are offered, including a Master of Divinity and master’s degrees in Intercultural Studies, Biblical Studies, Biblical Counseling, Church Music, and English Bible. Virtual, online, and modular classes provide convenient options for students wanting to accomplish schoolwork alongside their everyday work. Joshua Moore’s experience at the Seminary was a final step toward realization of a childhood dream to become a missionary to Ireland. “When I was eleven years old I began reading about the culture of Ireland,” explained Moore. “During these years God placed a burden on my heart for the Irish people.” As his burden grew, so did his desire to prepare effectively. After completing an MBU undergraduate degree and taking four survey trips to Ireland, Moore chose to pursue an MA in Intercultural Studies. “The program helped me write ethnography and ministry strategies for reaching the Irish, and it shaped my philosophy of missions,” shared Moore. “My wife and I cannot describe the passion in our hearts to return to the Irish people.” At the core of Maranatha Baptist Seminary are seven pillars that characterize its programs and set it apart from other institutions. The Seminary is biblical, Baptist, dispensational, separatist, and evangelistic, with a local church emphasis and a focus on mentoring. “An outstanding faculty is the treasure of Maranatha Baptist Seminary,” shared David Marriott, Master of Divinity graduate and local pastor of Lakewood Baptist Church in Delafield, WI. “Beyond the classroom time, these men welcome students into their lives and often continue relationships with them well past the completion of academic programs.” Seminary graduates are known for being balanced Baptist fundamentalists. “The work of the Lord is urgent and eternal,” stated University President Dr. Marty Marriott. “And we desire to prepare our students to accomplish that work ‘To the Praise of His Glory.’”
The Maranatha Advantage
5