Designed by the church, for the church—ensuring students develop theological depth and practical ministry skills in real-world settings.

Our M.A. in Ministry is designed to equip you with knowledge of the Bible and theology and essential skills in preaching, pastoral care, church administration, and cultural engagement. Courses are delivered in seven-week modules over a two-year program, offering a manageable format for working adults. Our hybrid format combines the flexibility of online education with live and in-person elements to study in a vibrant learning community with classmates and faculty.

Why Tabor?

  • Designed for discerning God’s call. You can start where you are, regardless of your current career. Our default student is a working adult discerning a call to ministry in a volunteer or vocational context, has completed a bachelor’s degree, but has never undertaken formal theological education.
  • Biblically and theologically faithful courses. Deeply embedded in scripture and  Evangelical/Anabaptist theological perspectives, our courses help you engage with and communicate faithful doctrine for the benefit of your church.
  • Formative and affordable education. You will receive a robust, spiritually formative, and affordable education. You can complete our MA in Ministry without the burden of excessive student debt.
  • Crafted with churches to meet the needs of churches. Our M.A. in Ministry was crafted by a dedicated partnership with the Central and Southern districts of the US Mennonite Brethren (USMB) churches, bridging the college-church divide and ensuring it meets the needs of real congregations. Tabor College is uniquely qualified to serve its conference churches and develop the next generation of harvest workers and church leaders.

Explore the structure & curriculum of the M.A. in Ministry!

EVENTS: RSVP for upcoming lectures or watch previous talks from faculty!

Student Spotlight

Cody Meyer

Associate Pastor of Youth Ministry & Discipleship, Ebenfeld MB Church
Hillsboro, Kan.

Cody Meyer former Tabor 20 student and now Ebenfeld MB pastor

“As a pastor, this program is very helpful. Diving deeper into biblical content, ministry and preaching are easily applicable to the work I do. Any pastor or lay leader who is looking for an opportunity to further their education should consider this degree.”

Our promise to students:

  • To provide an education that encourages you to place Christ at the center and be challenged to pursue excellence.
  • When you complete your degree, you will be equipped to make the world a better place, helping you discern your career as a calling to partner with Christ and His kingdom.
  • To support you on each step of your journey.

Program Overview

  • Serving the local church. You will study while serving in a local church, immediately applying what you learn in real ministry situations. All of our students serve in a host congregation that has identified God’s leadership in their lives, is helping them discern a call to ministry, and has sent them to study with us.
  • Flexible learning in a real community. You will learn in a hybrid format that combines the flexibility of online education with live, in-person elements to build a vibrant learning community among classmates, cohort facilitators, and instructors.
  • Easy on-ramps: a student can begin the M.A. in Ministry at the beginning of any semester—fall, spring, or summer.
  • Paired courses and streamlined curriculum. We pair each of our Bible and theology courses with a related practical ministry course, so you think deeply about a topic and learn to apply it in your ministry context. Our curriculum is streamlined, delivering 12 courses sequentially over two academic years. You will only ever take one course at a time.
  • Taught by pastor-scholars. Our instructors are content specialists with terminal degrees and extensive ministry experience; many currently serve in full-time pastoral ministry. Our faculty reflects the collaboration between Tabor College and USMB churches that developed this program.
M.A. in Ministry Course Cycles

Making a Difference in Your Church & Community

Learn While Serving in Your Church banner sequential banner

2. Learn While Serving in Your Church

Be Sent out as a Harvest Worker sequential banner for M.A. in ministry degree

3. Be Sent Out as a Harvest Worker

A lecture at Hillsboro MB Church for Tabor graduate students

Picture Yourself at Tabor

  • Set at an affordable price, you can complete the degree without the burden of excessive student debt. Every student receives support from their local church and scholarships are available for students preparing for ministry in USMB churches.
  • All courses will be taught by professors and pastors deeply committed to furthering Christ’s kingdom and equipping your calling to lead and serve.
  • These courses are designed to serve you regardless of where you stand in your career or academic pursuits.

Career Opportunities

  • Pastoral Ministry 
  • Church Leadership
  • Missions 
  • Chaplaincy 
  • Nonprofit Work 
  • College Professor 
  • Parochial Teacher  
  • Church Volunteer Work 

Program Cost & Information

  • $14,000 ($389/hour)
    • Price per term: $2,334 (6 semesters)
  • 36 credit hours over two years, start at any time!

Admissions Process

Students may enroll to start at the beginning of any semester– fall, spring, or summer!

  • Apply Online
  • Review Scholarships
  • Submit Requested Support Documents
  • Receive Admission Decision

Have Questions?

Contact Elizabeth Heftie, Graduate Admissions Recruiter & Marketer at elizabeth.heftie@tabor.edu or 620-947-3121.

M.A. Ministry Faculty

Eric Foster-Whiddon portrait
Eric Foster-Whiddon, Ph.D.
Program Director & Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies
Tabor College
Hillsboro, Kan.
Aaron Garza portrait
Aaron Garza, Ph.D. Candidate
Senior Pastor
Bethesda Church

Huron, S.D.
Josh Gelatt portrait
Josh Gelatt, Ph.D.
Lead Pastor
North Oak Community Church
Hays, Kan.
Brian Harris
Brian Harris, D.Min.
Southern District Minister
Southern District Conference (USMB)
Owasso, Okla.
Ryan Loewen portrait
Ryan Loewen, Ph.D. Candidate
Assistant Professor of Theology/CMBS Director
Tabor College

Hillsboro, Kan.
Wendell Loewen portrait
Wendell Loewen, D.Min.
Director of Constituent & Alumni Development
Tabor College

Hillsboro, Kan.
Erik Noren portrait
Erik Noren, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of History
Tabor College

Hillsboro, Kan.

M.A. in Ministry Advisory Board

Eric Foster-Whiddon, Ph.D.
Program Director & Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies
Tabor College
Hillsboro, Kan.

Wendell Loewen, D.Min.
Director of Constituent & Alumni Development
Tabor College

Hillsboro, Kan.

Brian Harris, D.Min.
Southern District Minister
Southern District Conference (USMB)
Owasso, Okla.

Daniel Rodriguez, M.Div.
Central District Minister
Central District Conference (USMB)
Omaha, Neb.

Aaron Garza, Ph.D. Candidate
Lead Pastor
Bethesda Church
Huron, S.D.

Aaron Halvorsen, M.Div.
Lead Pastor
Community Bible Church
Olathe, Kan.

Jeremy Matlock, M.A.
Lead Pastor
Hillsboro MB Church
Hillsboro, Kan.

Coalt Robinson, M.A.
Teaching Pastor
Bethel MB Church
Huron, S.D.

Cohort Facilitators

Tom Byford, M.Div.
Lead Pastor
Parkview MB Church
Hillsboro, Kan.

Tim Hall, D.Min.
Lead Pastor
Butterfield Community Bible Church
Butterfield, Minn.

Aaron Halvorsen, M.Div.
Lead Pastor
Community Bible Church
Olathe, Kan.

Jeremy Jordan
Lead Pastor
Cross Timbers Church

Edmond, Okla.

Tony Petersen, D.T.M. Candidate
Clovis Campus Pastor
Mountain View Church
Clovis, Calif.

Daniel Rodriguez, M.Div.
Central District Minister
Central District Conference (USMB)
Omaha, Neb.