{{short description|Bible institute in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}} {{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Infobox university | name = Moody Bible Institute | image = Moody Bible Institute logo.png | motto = "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." ''2 Timothy 2:15'' | established = {{start date and age|1886}} | type = Private Bible college | president = Mark Jobe | provost = Timothy Sisk | city = Chicago, Illinois; Spokane, Washington; Plymouth, Michigan | coordinates = {{coord|41.8973|-87.6330|display=inline,title|type:edu}} | campus = Urban | campus_size = {{Convert|18|acre}} | religious_affiliation = Evangelical Christian Higher Life movement | students = 3,442 (2018)<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=Moody+Bible+Institute&s=all&id=147369|title=College Navigator - Moody Bible Institute|website=nces.ed.gov}}</ref> | faculty = 88 full-time<ref name="auto"/> | affiliations = | colors = Blue and White <br/> {{color box|#000099}} {{color box|#FFFFFF}} | mascot = Archers | athletics_affiliations = NCCAA | website = {{url|https://www.moodybible.org}} | address = }}
'''Moody Bible Institute''' ('''MBI''') is a private evangelical Christian<ref>{{cite book | last = Gloege | first = Timothy | title = Guaranteed Pure: The Moody Bible Institute, Business, and the Making of Modern Evangelicalism | publisher = University of North Carolina Press | location = Chapel Hill, NC | date = 2015 | page = | isbn = 978-1-4696-3343-5}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | last = Laats | first = Adam | title = Fundamentalist U: Keeping the Faith in American Higher Education | publisher = Oxford University Press | location = New York, NY | date = 2018 | page = | isbn = 978-0-19-066562-3}}</ref> Bible college in Chicago, Illinois. It was founded by evangelist and businessman Dwight Lyman Moody in 1886. Historically, MBI has maintained positions that have identified it as non-charismatic, dispensational, and generally Calvinistic.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.moodybible.org/beliefs/ | title=Doctrinal Statement | Moody Bible Institute }}</ref> MBI operates undergraduate programs and '''Moody Theological Seminary''' at the Chicago campus. The Seminary also operates a satellite campus in Plymouth, Michigan. MBI also operates '''Moody Aviation''', an undergraduate flight school and aviation mechanic program in Spokane, Washington.<ref>{{cite web |title=Moody Aviation Program |url=https://www.moody.edu/undergrad/aviation/ |website=Moody Aviation |publisher=Moody Bible Institute |access-date=16 June 2025}}</ref>
== History == ===20th century=== thumb|The historic Moody Bible Institute arch viewed from the central plaza Emma Dryer organized the "May Institute", a weekly meeting for prayer and fellowship, with Moody's permission in 1883. Participants in the May Institute encouraged Moody to found a school to train young people for evangelism to carry on the Christian revival tradition.
On January 22, 1886, Moody addressed church members: "I tell you what, and what I have on my heart, I believe we have got to have gap-men: men to stand between the laity and the ministers; men who are trained to do city mission work. Take men that have the gifts and train them for the work of reaching the people."<ref>George Thomas Kurian, Mark A. Lamport, ''Encyclopedia of Christian Education, Volume 3'', Rowman & Littlefield, USA, 2015, p. 133</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Moody |first=William Revell |title=D. L. Moody |url=https://archive.org/details/cihm_13583 |page=[https://archive.org/details/cihm_13583/page/n357 339] |publisher=Fleming H. Revell |date=1900|isbn=9780665135835 }}</ref> As a result of this meeting, held at Farwell Hall, the group founded the Chicago Evangelization Society for the "education and training of Christian workers, including teachers, ministers, missionaries, and musicians who may completely and effectively proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ." The society was renamed "Moody Bible Institute" after Moody died in 1899.
Before 1900, Moody played a significant role in fund-raising to support MBI. After Moody died, however, the institute struggled financially. James M. Gray, the president of the school, invited Henry Parsons Crowell to financially restructure the institute. Crowell established the school on business principles of productivity and performance. The MBI Executive Committee met nearly every Tuesday for the next 40 years. An administration building took years to complete, but when the building was dedicated there was no mortgage and only $50,000 left to pay.<ref>Musser, Joe (1997). ''The Cereal Tycoon''. Moody Press. {{ISBN|0-8024-1616-0}}, p.130-132.</ref>{{when|date=April 2019}}
=== 21st century === Since 2012, MBI has received federal financial assistance, which means the religious institution is subject to federal rules, including Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination. After several female students complained of being denied access to the then-male-only pastoral ministry program, the institute changed its policy in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://julieroys.com/mbi-administrators-fail-uphold-doctrine-part-1-hire-fire-female-pastor-oppose-profs-report-drift/|title=MBI Administrators Fail to Uphold Doctrine: Hire, Then Fire Female Pastor/Oppose Profs Who Report Drift|date=2018-02-06|website=Julie Roys|language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-10}}</ref> However, communications instructor Janay Garrick, who helped the students file Title IX complaints, found that her employment contract would not be renewed at the end of 2017. MBI argued that her "views on gender equity (which the college was aware of when she was hired) made her incompatible with the school." As of March 2024, Garrick is pursuing a Title VII sex-discrimination lawsuit against MBI because male colleagues "who shared her egalitarian views and joined her in speaking out against sexism on Moody Bible’s campus faced none of the harassment or retaliation directed at Garrick."<ref name="CnS">{{cite journal |title=Former instructor can pursue case against Bible college |journal=Church & State |volume=77 |issue=May 2024 |page=14 |url=https://www.au.org/the-latest/church-and-state/articles/former-instructor-can-pursue-case-against-bible-college/ |access-date=9 June 2024}}</ref> MBI engaged Grand River Solutions to review its Title IX compliance and make recommendations for change.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Grand River Solutions Title IX Review {{!}} Title IX {{!}} Moody Bible Institute |url=https://www.moody.edu/titleix/grs-titleix-review/ |access-date=2022-10-19 |website=www.moody.edu |language=en}}</ref>
In November 2017, the institution announced the closure of its campus in Spokane, Washington (excluding Moody Aviation) and reductions in other programs and services in response to continued drops in enrollment.<ref>{{cite web |last=Shellnutt |first=Kate |title=Moody Bible to Close Spokane Campus, Cut Chicago Faculty |url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2017/november/moody-bible-spokane-extension-campus-fuller-seminary-online.html |website=News & Reporting |date=November 9, 2017 |access-date=April 10, 2019}}</ref> Faculty were distressed by impending job losses, and penned an anonymous letter to the administration in the student newspaper expressing concerns about faculty layoffs when the administration had just committed $22 million for a new campus building.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/117iMb7Kp-Zzkh7or3tR-soIuztjb31qu/view|title=An Open Letter|last=Anonymous|date=November 29, 2017|website=moodystandard.com|access-date=April 10, 2019}}</ref> Two months later, both the President and Chief Operating Officer resigned, and the provost retired. In its announcement of these changes, the institution cited "widespread concerns over the direction" of the institution.<ref>{{cite web |last=Shellnutt |first=Kate |title=Moody Bible President and COO Both Resign, Provost Retires |url=http://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2018/january/moody-bible-president-paul-nyquist-resigns-julie-roys-fired.html |publisher=Christianity Today |date=January 10, 2018 |access-date=January 27, 2018}}</ref>
Mark Jobe, founder of the multisite New Life Community Church, became the new president in January 2019.<ref>{{cite web |last=Shellnutt |first=Kate |title=Moody Bible Picks Multisite Pastor as Its New President |url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2018/october/moody-bible-new-president-mark-jobe-new-life-community-mbi.html |website=News & Reporting |date=October 9, 2018 |access-date=April 10, 2019}}</ref> In July 2019, Jobe announced a long-range plan to redevelop portions of Moody's campus.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stewarding Real Estate Assets {{!}} 2030 Growth {{!}} Moody Bible Institute |url=https://www.moodybible.org/news/global/2019/chicago-campus-redevelopment/ |access-date=2022-10-20 |website=www.moodybible.org |language=en}}</ref> Proceeds from the sale of 8.1 acres would be earmarked for campus improvements, scholarships, endowment, and financial reserves.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Campus Redevelopment |url=https://www.moody.edu/alumni/campusredevelopment |access-date=2022-10-20 |website=www.moody.edu}}</ref> The "North Union" project was approved by the Chicago Plan Commission in July 2021<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-05-20 |title=Chicago Plan Commission backs development of Moody Bible sites|first= David|last=Roeder|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/2021/5/20/22446083/moody-bible-institute-development-chicago-plan-commission-approved |access-date=2022-10-20 |website=Chicago Sun-Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=North Union |url=https://www.chicago.gov/content/city/en/depts/dcd/supp_info/north-union.html |access-date=2022-10-20 |website=www.chicago.gov |language=en}}</ref> and by the Chicago City Council in October 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lamelza |first=Judy |title=JDL Development gets approval for Massive North Union Project |url=https://blog.databid.com/blog/jdl-development-gets-approval-for-massive-north-union-project |access-date=2022-10-20 |website=blog.databid.com |language=en-us}}</ref>
=== Presidents ===
{| class="wikitable" |+ !No. !Name !Term !Ref |- | 1 | Dwight L. Moody{{efn|Moody was titled as the superintendent of the institute.}} | 1886{{endash}}1889 | |- | 2 | Reuben Archer Torrey{{efn|Torrey was initially called the superintendent and later was given the title of dean of the institute, though some sources referred to him also as the president.<ref name=torreytrip /> Although Torrey remained officially until 1908, he was mostly on leave for evangelistic trips and other endeavors after 1901.<ref name=torreyleave />}} | 1889{{endash}}1908 | <ref>{{cite web|title=Reuben Archer Torrey|website=Moody Bible Institute Library|access-date=August 26, 2025|url=https://library.moody.edu/collections/archives/biographies/Torrey/}}</ref><ref name=torreytrip>{{cite news|title=World Evangel Is Theme of Torrey|date=June 18, 1903|page=4|newspaper=The Inter Ocean|access-date=August 26, 2025|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/34580774/}}</ref><ref name=torreyleave>{{cite web|title=A Biographical Sketch Of Dr. Reuben Archer Torrey|first=Bernard R.|last=DeRemer|date=1956|website=Moody Church Media|access-date=August 26, 2025|url=https://www.moodymedia.org/articles/a-biographical-sketch-of-dr-reuben-archer-torrey/}}</ref> |- | {{endash}} | ''Arthur Percy Fitt''{{efn|During the absence of Torrey after 1901, Fitt was named in several sources as the president of Moody Bible Institute.<ref>{{cite news|title=Thousands Attend Worship|date=August 25, 1902|page=3|newspaper=The Inter Ocean|access-date=August 26, 2025|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/34197010/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Many Lectures Are Given|date=November 16, 1902|page=3|newspaper=The Inter Ocean|access-date=August 26, 2025|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/33942549/}}</ref><ref name=tribunefitt>{{cite news|title=Eulogies for D. L. Moody|date=February 6, 1903|page=5|newspaper=The Chicago Tribune|access-date=August 26, 2025|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/350256017/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Big Plans for Bible Study|date=April 19, 1903|page=5|newspaper=The Inter Ocean|access-date=August 26, 2025|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/34202222/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Founder's Day at Moody Institute|date=February 5, 1904|page=7|newspaper=The Chicago Tribune|access-date=August 26, 2025|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/350237744/}}</ref>}} | ''1901{{endash}}1904'' | <ref name=tribunefitt /> |- | 3 | James Martin Gray{{efn|Gray was initially appointed dean and initially served alongside Torrey. He was later the first to be officially given the title president in 1925.<ref name=jmgray />}} | 1904{{endash}}1934 | <ref name=jmgray>{{cite web|title=James Martin Gray|website=Moody Bible Institute Library|access-date=August 26, 2025|url=https://library.moody.edu/collections/archives/biographies/Gray/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Willard Hall Noonday Meetings|date=November 28, 1904|page=3|newspaper=The Inter Ocean|access-date=August 26, 2025|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/34493057/}}</ref> |- | 4 | William Henry Houghton | 1934{{endash}}1947 | <ref>{{cite web|title=William Henry Houghton|website=Moody Bible Institute Library|access-date=August 26, 2025|url=https://library.moody.edu/collections/archives/biographies/Houghton/}}</ref> |- | 5 | William Culbertson III{{efn|Culbertson was initially acting president from 1947 to 1948 before being appointed to the full-time position.}} | 1947{{endash}}1971 | <ref>{{cite web|title=William Culbertson|website=Moody Bible Institute Library|access-date=August 26, 2025|url=https://library.moody.edu/collections/archives/biographies/Culbertson/}}</ref> |- | 6 | George Sweeting | 1971{{endash}}1987 | <ref>{{cite news|title=Moody Bible Institute Has New President -Elect|date=July 24, 1971|page=2|newspaper=Tipton County Tribune|access-date=August 26, 2025|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/545159623/}}</ref> |- | 7 | Joseph Stowell | 1987{{endash}}2005 | <ref>{{cite news|title=New Moody president aims to keep institute 'on the cutting edge'|first=Jeanne|last=Pugh|date=March 14, 1987|page=79|newspaper=Tampa Bay Times|access-date=August 26, 2025|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/321635927/}}</ref> |- | 8 | Michael J. Easley | 2005{{endash}}2008 | <ref>{{cite news|title=Dr. Easley Steps in as New President of Moody Bible Institute|date=March 2005|newspaper=The Christian Post|access-date=August 26, 2025|url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/dr-easley-steps-in-as-new-president-of-moody-bible-institute.html}}</ref><ref name=easleyresign>{{cite news|title=Moody Bible Institute President Resigns for Health Reasons|first=Katherine T.|last=Phan|date=May 29, 2008|newspaper=The Christian Post|access-date=August 26, 2025|url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/moody-bible-institute-president-resigns-for-health-reasons-32577/}}</ref> |- | {{endash}}{{efn|During this period, the school was led jointly, with Ed Cannon overseeing the business side of the office of president and Charles Dyer overseeing the spiritual side of the office.<ref name=easleyresign />}} | ''Ed Cannon/Charles Dyer'' | ''2008{{endash}}2009'' | <ref name=easleyresign /> |- | 9 | J. Paul Nyquist | 2009{{endash}}2018 | <ref name=nyquistresign>{{cite news|title=Moody Bible President, COO Resign Amid Controversy, Provost Retires|first=Brandon|last=Showalter|date=January 11, 2018|newspaper=The Christian Post|access-date=August 26, 2025|url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/moody-bible-president-coo-resign-amid-controversy-provost-retires-213319/}}</ref> |- | {{endash}}{{efn|Served as interim president}} | ''Greg Thornton'' | ''2018{{endash}}2019'' | <ref name=nyquistresign /> |- | 10 | Mark Jobe | 2019{{endash}}present | <ref>{{cite news|title=Moody Bible Institute Names Megachurch Pastor Mark Jobe New President Following Controversy|first=Stoyan|last=Zaimov|date=October 10, 2018|newspaper=The Christian Post|access-date=August 26, 2025|url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/moody-bible-institute-names-megachurch-pastor-mark-jobe-new-president-following-controversy.html}}</ref> |}
{{noteslist}}
== Academics ==
MBI's stated mission is to train students for full-time ministry in churches and parachurch organizations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.moody.edu/edu_mainpage.aspx?id=1808|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110504053449/http://www.moody.edu/edu_mainpage.aspx?id=1808|url-status=dead|title=Admission Requirements |archive-date=May 4, 2011|website=www.moody.edu}}</ref> Since 1989, it has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission or its predecessor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ncahlc.org/component/com_directory/Action,ShowBasic/Itemid,/instid,1442/|publisher=The Higher Learning Commission |access-date=2013-11-30|title=Moody Bible Institute|website=Currently or Previously Affiliated Institutions}}</ref> It is also accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education and the National Association of Schools of Music.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abhe.org/directories/member-colleges/|title=Member Colleges - Association for Biblical Higher Education|language=en-US|access-date=2016-08-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505213505/http://www.abhe.org/directories/member-colleges/|archive-date=2016-05-05|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nasm.arts-accredit.org/directory-lists/accredited-institutions/search/|title=Accredited Institutions Search|website=National Association of Schools of Music|access-date=2016-08-10}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Index.aspx|title=U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs|website=ope.ed.gov|access-date=2018-12-10}}</ref>
=== Undergraduate ===
In addition to a Bachelor of Arts degree, which is available in over two dozen fields including theology, the Bible, and ministries of various emphases,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mmm.moody.edu/GenMoody/Media/MediaLibrary/undergrad_catalog.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060903033829/http://mmm.moody.edu/GenMoody/Media/MediaLibrary/undergrad_catalog.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=2006-09-03|title=Moody Bible Institute Undergraduate School 2006-2008 Catalog|page=67|publisher=Moody.edu|access-date=2015-04-23}}</ref> MBI offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Biblical Studies, a Bachelor of Science degree in Missionary Aviation Technology, a two-year Associates of Biblical Studies degree (ABS), and a five-year Bachelor of Music degree (BMus) in Sacred Music. Furthermore, non-degree TESOL and Biblical Studies one-year certificates are offered.
=== Graduate ===
The Moody Theological Seminary offers a Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Biblical Studies, and a Master of Counseling/Psychology.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mmm.moody.edu/GenMoody/Media/MediaLibrary/Grad_Cat.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060901075601/http://mmm.moody.edu/GenMoody/Media/MediaLibrary/Grad_Cat.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=2006-09-01|title=Moody Graduate School Catalog 2005–2007|publisher=Moody.edu|access-date=2015-04-23}}</ref> A one-year graduate certificate is also offered. thumb|250px|right|Moody Theological Seminary-Michigan
In November 2009, Moody Bible Institute and Michigan Theological Seminary jointly announced plans for Michigan Theological Seminary to merge with Moody Bible Institute's Moody Theological Seminary and Graduate School.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.moodyministries.net/crp_NewsDetail.aspx?id=44770 | title=Merger Receives HLC Approval | publisher= Moody Bible Institute |access-date=2009-11-17}}</ref> In January 2010, Michigan Theological Seminary became Moody Theological Seminary–Michigan located in Plymouth, Michigan.
== Media ministries ==
In addition to its educational programs, Moody has two Christian media ministries: Moody Radio and Moody Publishers.
===Moody Publishers=== In 1894, Moody Publishers was founded under the name Bible Institute Colportage Association (BICA). Moody's son-in-law, A. P. Fitt, managed BICA operations. Publishing was contracted to Moody's brother-in-law, Fleming Revell, and his upstart publishing company.<ref>{{cite web|last=Fisher|first=Allan|title=D. L. Moody's Contribution to Christian Publishing. Christian History & Biography|website=ctlibrary.com|year=1990|access-date=16 December 2015|url=http://www.ctlibrary.com/ch/1990/issue25/2532.html|archive-date=22 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222091448/http://www.ctlibrary.com/ch/1990/issue25/2532.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1895 the Colportage Library began the publication at regular intervals of books which met five specific criteria: 1. a popular readable style; 2. well-known authors or books of existing reputation; 3. strictly evangelical and nondenominational works; 4. good workmanship, and; 5. low price.<ref name="ctpgp">{{cite journal |title=Christian Thought: Preaching the Gospel in Print |publisher=Christian Workers Magazine |journal=Christian Workers Magazine |year= 1916 |volume= 17 |pages= 496–97 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=F6BVAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA496 |via=books.google.com}}</ref>
In 1941, BICA became Moody Press.<ref>{{cite web|last=Fisher|first=Allan|title=D. L. Moody's Contribution to Christian Publishing. Christian History & Biography|website=ctlibrary.com|year=1990|access-date=16 December 2015|url=http://www.ctlibrary.com/ch/1990/issue25/2532.html|archive-date=22 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222091448/http://www.ctlibrary.com/ch/1990/issue25/2532.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
===Moody Magazine===
In 1900, Moody Bible Institute began publishing a monthly magazine titled ''The Institute Tie''. In 1910, it was renamed ''The Christian Workers Magazine'' to reflect its focus on Sunday school teachers and other Christian workers. Later, it was renamed again, to ''Moody Bible Institute Monthly'', then ''Moody Monthly''.<ref name="Vincent2011">{{cite book |last1=Vincent |first1=James |title=The MBI Story: The Vision and Worldwide Impacts of Moody Bible Institute |date=2011 |publisher=Moody Publishers |location=Chicago |url=https://archive.org/details/mbistoryvisionwo0000vinc/}}</ref> ''Moody'' ceased publication in 2003.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Hertz |first=Todd |last2=Guthrie |first2=Stan |date=February 1, 2003 |title=Moody Closes Magazine, Restructures Aviation Program |url=http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2003/februaryweb-only/2-24-21.0.html |magazine=Christianity Today}}</ref>
===Moody Radio===
{{Main|Moody Radio}}
In 1926, the Institute expanded its reach beyond education and publishing by sponsoring the first non-commercial Christian radio station in America, WMBI-AM (now WXES).<ref name="Vincent2011" /> Over time, MBI's radio outreach grew to the Moody Broadcasting Network, which now owns and operates 36 commercial-free stations and provides programming via satellite to more than 700 outlets.
== See also ==
{{portal|Chicago}}
* List of Moody Bible Institute people
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
== Further reading ==
* Gloege, Timothy E. W. ''Guaranteed Pure: The Moody Bible Institute, Business, and the Making of Modern Evangelicalism.'' (Chapel Hill, North Carolina: University of North Carolina Press, 2015). * {{cite book|last=Hummel|first=Daniel G.|title=The Rise and Fall of Dispensationalism: How the Evangelical Battle over the End Times Shaped a Nation|publisher=Eerdmans|year=2023|location=Grand Rapids, MI|ISBN=978-0-802-87922-6}}
== External links ==
*[http://www.moody.edu Official website]
{{Near North Side, Chicago}} {{Colleges and universities in metropolitan Chicago}} {{CCCU}} {{Evangelicalism in the United States}} {{Authority control}}
Category:Moody Bible Institute Category:Evangelical seminaries and theological colleges in the United States Category:Association for Biblical Higher Education Category:Non-denominational Christian universities and colleges in the United States Category:Universities and colleges in Chicago Category:Bible colleges in the United States Category:Universities and colleges established in 1886 Category:Seminaries and theological colleges in Illinois Category:1886 establishments in Illinois Category:Council for Christian Colleges and Universities