Moody Bible Institute announced today several strategic ministry changes -- shutting down its MOODY magazine, massively restructuring its missionary aviation program, and closing its retail bookstores.
The changes were based on an in-depth study commissioned by Dr. Stowell, MBI president, at the end of the 01/02 fiscal year. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the financial and ministry viability of all its divisions.
The Moody Bible Institute 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. MBI is best known for its education branch, which includes an undergraduate school, graduate school and distance learning center. Other primary ministries include Moody Publishers and the Moody Broadcasting Network.
MOODY magazine has been a signature publication for MBI for decades. Moody’s daily devotional guide, Today In the Word, will now become MBI’s primary periodical to its constituency. It is presently used by more than 200,000 readers.
The magazine has a rich heritage dating back to 1891 when it was called The Institute Tie and served as a publication for alumni and friends of MBI. After several name modifications in the early years it became Moody Monthly in 1938, and for more than 20 years its content was directed to those in Christian ministry. In the 1960s its focus changed to reflect more of an emphasis on the Christian family. The name was shortened to MOODY magazine in 1990 and six years later it transitioned to a bi-monthly format focused on in-depth coverage of key topics designed to helping readers think and live biblically.
Moody Aviation, which began in 1946, is widely credited with having produced more than 50 percent of the missionary aviation personnel now serving around the world. Over the years it has moved to various locations based on the expanding needs of the program.
MBI's Missionary Aviation Technology major will be relocated in Spokane, Washington from its current location in Elizabethton, Tennessee beginning with the fall semester in August 2003. The Bible and missionary training classes will be facilitated by Moody Northwest, Moody Bible Institute’s Spokane extension campus. Specific program details are being finalized and will be announced in the coming weeks.
Moody Bookstores first opened its doors in 1898 and in recent years have been honored by Christian Retailing magazine as Top 100 Christian Retailers in the country. MBI will exit the retail business and begin an immediate search for a buyer for the Moody Bookstores in Indianapolis, Ind., and Chatham Ridge, Ill. The current plan for the campus bookstore in Chicago will be to reconfigure it to a constituency-based store focusing on the needs of students and employees.
"I fully believe that God is not surprised or confused by what He is requiring us to do in these challenging days," said Dr. Joseph Stowell, MBI president. "I am convinced that He is using the present situation to enable us to focus on our core ministries in light of the greater things that He has in store for us in the days to come."