January 3, 2025
Dr. Cheryl Rude became the executive director of the Bishop Richard and Julia Wilke Institute for Discipleship on Jan. 1, 2026, becoming only the second top leader in the history of the Institute. The founding executive director, Dr. Steve Wilke, completed a quarter century of service and will now focus his work on fundraising and networking.
With its headquarters at Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas, the Institute for Discipleship is dedicated to providing Christian resources and education that build disciples and strengthen ministries. Its efforts include online Christian education through BeADisciple.com; online small-group studies through the BeADisciple Study App; and on-ground programs at Southwestern College including Bishop Scholars (international students) and Visiting Scholars.
Wilke describes Cheryl as the perfect next person to lead the Institute.
“She is a highly competent administrator who has been with the Institute from its beginnings,” he says.
Rude was a long-time faculty member at Southwestern College, where she built and led an award-winning leadership program. Upon her retirement nearly three years ago she joined the Institute as director of campus programs and operations.
“I want to express my gratitude to the Institute for Discipleship Board and the Wilke family for placing their trust in me to guide the IFD into the future,” Rude says. “I am honored to follow in the footsteps of Bishop Richard and Julia Wilke and Steve Wilke, as the next leader to shape the work of the Institute.
In addition to her position as a professor at Southwestern, Rude worked with Disciple Bible Study and in youth and young adult ministry projects for the past 40 years.
“The executive director’s transition from Steve Wilke to me has been in progress for many months. We have been working on sharing past work and future ideas. The IFD staff members have been generous with my constant question-asking, of which more is to come! I still have lots of listening and growth in understanding the foundational work that has gone before me. Thankfully, Steve and I have offices right next to each other, both with open doors,” Rude says.