Midwest Ministry Training — Organization Profile
Midwest Ministry Training is a church-based training program for future ministers that launched in August 2024. The organization says it exists to train preaching ministers and associate ministers for the local church through a trade school/apprenticeship approach to ministry training rather than a traditional four-year degree path. Based in Vandalia, Missouri, Midwest is organized around churches working together to provide both classroom instruction and hands-on mentoring for students preparing for church ministry.
Its core focus is helping aspiring ministers gain both biblical and practical preparation for local church service. Midwest offers Certificates of Endorsement in Preaching Ministry, Associate Ministry, and Bible Knowledge. For the preaching and associate tracks, the site describes a 20-course sequence that covers subjects such as Bible interpretation, theology, church history, apologetics, preaching, and ministry in the local church. The Bible Knowledge certificate is a shorter option built around five courses. The academic side is presented as rigorous, with lectures, reading, assignments, papers, discussion, and tests.
A distinctive part of the model is its 1,500-hour apprenticeship requirement for students in the preaching and associate ministry tracks. Midwest emphasizes that this is an apprenticeship, not just an internship. Students train under one or more approved ministers in one or more congregations, learning practical ministry skills such as sermon and lesson preparation, baptisms, funerals, weddings, hospital visitation, pastoral care, administration, and working with church teams. The organization also allows students to complete apprenticeship work in more than one church setting so they can experience ministry in multiple contexts.
Midwest serves people exploring ministry and local churches that want to help develop leaders. Its training network has included churches in Missouri, Illinois, and California, and the organization presents itself as a collaborative effort among training churches, supporting churches, teachers, mentors, and administrators. That structure is central to its identity: rather than placing the full burden on one school or one congregation, Midwest distributes the work of minister preparation across multiple churches and leaders.
The website also highlights the importance of doctrinal alignment and character formation. Midwest publishes a statement of faith and says its teachers, mentors, and administrators must affirm and defend those doctrines. Students seeking endorsement in preaching or associate ministry are also expected to demonstrate adherence to that statement of faith. In addition to coursework and apprenticeship hours, candidates must pass a formal examination before receiving a certificate of endorsement.
People can engage with Midwest Ministry Training in several ways. Prospective students can apply for one of the certificate tracks, churches can participate as training or supporting churches, and supporters can use the organization’s payment portal to contribute financially. Those who want more information can contact the ministry directly through its public email, phone number, and mailing address, or follow its official YouTube channel for updates and teaching content.
Key Links
- Website: https://www.midwestministrytraining.com/
- About: https://www.midwestministrytraining.com/AboutUs
- Certificates: https://www.midwestministrytraining.com/Certificates
- How Does It Work?: https://www.midwestministrytraining.com/training-method
- Apprenticeship: https://midwestministrytraining.com/Apprenticeship
- Tuition: https://www.midwestministrytraining.com/Tuition
- Apply: https://www.midwestministrytraining.com/Apply
- Contact: https://midwestministrytraining.com/contact
- Pay / Support: https://midwestministrytraining.com/Pay
Contact Information
- Email: mi*********************@***il.com
- Phone: 660-676-0937
- Mailing address: 205 W Park, Vandalia, MO 63382
Socials
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MidwestMinistryTraining-l3n
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Midwest-Ministry-Training-61555088860081/
Leadership
- Jamie Franke — Director of Midwest Ministry Training
- Jason Cole — Teacher and mentor
- Daniel Nichols — Teacher and mentor
- Terry Peer — Teacher and mentor
- David Sowers — Teacher and mentor
