Dear MI Family,

The Bible reminds us regularly that change is inherent in life. Maybe the best articulation of this is in Ecclesiastes 3:1, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” Time advances. Things change.

So it is with MI. 

It is with very mixed emotion that I announce Kendra Diehl’s resignation from MI’s staff. Kendra has been a faithful ministry partner since I entered the President’s role in the fall of 2013. Her godly demeanor, grit, wisdom and passion for raising up whole and healthy leaders for the Christian church has blessed MI and the larger kingdom of God tremendously. For years leading MI’s Spiritual Formation, and more recently leading MI’s organizational initiatives and innovations, Kendra has been a conduit of Christ for every student, mentor, coach, pastor and organization that has crossed paths with MI.

Below is a portion of Kendra’s resignation letter to the MI Board of Directors. We will keep you posted on MI’s plans to celebrate Kendra’s ministry. In the meantime, please feel free to email her a blessing at kendra@miseminary.com.

Peace to you and your family in this Christmas season!

Per Nilsen, President

The Master’s Institute

A portion of Kendra’s letter of resignation to MI’s Board of Directors:

It has been a great honor to serve The Master’s Institute since July, 2005. I have been privileged to see MI grow and change in numerous, fruitful ways for God’s kingdom, and I too have grown in ways for which I will be eternally grateful. Through a season of prayer and discernment I have come to the decision to step down as Vice President effective January 31, 2022. It is my intention to step away on Friday, January 14, and to use a few weeks of my remaining vacation time through the end of January to visit our son and his family in Rwanda.

The Master’s Institute has a strong, humble, godly administrative and program team, and I have the utmost confidence in their ability to finish the year strong together. I hope and intend that the timing of my departure will provide the team an opportunity to practice shared leadership in greater ways, and to find a new balance as the strong and remarkable team they already are. I also hope the board will hire a new team leader who is gifted to take MI to the next level of kingdom growth and impact.

I have studied seminary models throughout the US, and I am convinced that MI’s model for seminary training is the best model in Northern America. I hope and pray it will grow and continue to impact leadership development for Christ’s Kingdom far and wide!

Respectfully submitted,

Kendra J. Diehl