Samford’s Ministry Training Institute adds women’s leadership certificate

This fall the Ministry Training Institute (MTI) at Samford University in Birmingham will offer a new online certificate in women’s leadership, thanks to a partnership with the Christian Women’s Leadership Center (CWLC) of national Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU).

The women’s leadership certificate track consists of four courses:

• Introduction to women’s leadership: missions, ministry, spiritual formation and God’s call to service
• Foundations of women’s leadership: theological foundations and history of missions and women leaders who have led by spreading the gospel, working for justice, using their talents and overcoming obstacles
• Women’s leadership essentials: communication, conflict management and time management
• Influencing transformational ministries: leading intentionally and with integrity, praying purposefully and working with multiple generations.

“Consistent with God’s Word, the certificate program will equip participants to influence and empower others to accomplish the mission of a group or an organization,” said MTI director Kevin Blackwell.

‘Lifelong learners’

CWLC was founded in 1999 through the collaborative efforts of Thomas Corts and Wanda Lee, who served as Samford’s president and national WMU executive director, respectively, at the time. Much of the center’s initial funding was given in memory of Eleanor F. Terry, the late wife of Bob Terry, editor emeritus of The Alabama Baptist.

Sandy Wisdom-Martin, national WMU executive director, said the new certificate program goes hand in hand with WMU’s desire to challenge women to “deliberately and purposefully stretch and reach.”

“We are intentional in our quest to be lifelong learners to make a bigger impact on the Kingdom,” Wisdom-Martin said. “We are delighted to partner with Samford University to provide opportunities to gain knowledge, insights and understanding so we can grow and be more intentional in making disciples of Jesus who live on mission in today’s context.”

The first course starts Aug. 20. For more information, visit samford.edu/go/mti.