History
The Institute for Discipleship was chartered on April 20, 2001 by Southwestern College, a United Methodist university in Winfield, Kansas. The Institute was named in honor of Richard Wilke, then-Bishop-in-Residence at the College, and his wife, Julia, with whom he co-wrote DISCIPLE Bible study. The Institute is dedicated to carrying forward the Wilkes’ legacy, which has always centered on the following goals:
- Provide quality Christian resources and education through innovative use of technology
- Encourage the formation and development of small groups which build Christian community and sustain and uplift their members
- Produce and engage with high-quality theological content
- Resource a global church
About the Founders
Bishop Richard Wilke and his wife, Julia Wilke, designed and wrote DISCIPLE Bible Study as a training for Christian leaders. The DISCIPLE series of studies includes four adult manuals, a youth version of DISCIPLE I, and has spun off several additional studies including The Grand Sweep, Christian Believer, Jesus in the Gospels, and the “Invitation to…” short-term Bible studies. DISCIPLE has nearly three million graduates in more than 10,000 congregations from 30 denominations and is available in several languages.
The Institute for Discipleship was formed as an extension of the Wilkes’ life-long ministry and service to the Church immediately after the Wilkes finished writing the fourth and final DISCIPLE manual.
Read news stories about Richard and Julia Wilke
Read news stories about the Institute’s continued commitment to DISCIPLE Bible Study
Wilke Family
The children of Richard and Julia Wilke remain engaged in the work of the Institute.
Dr. Steve Wilke is the Executive Director of the Institute for Discipleship at Southwestern College, which is committed to bringing the educational online tools of our culture to churches. Steve develops relationships with partners, dreams big, and directs the overall work of the Institute.
Rev. Dr. Paul R. Wilke is a newly-retired United Methodist pastor with 41 years of experience in churches large and small. Paul gained his D.Min from United Theological Seminary in the area of group life. Paul brings passion to help churches with virtual group life to supplement their discipleship activities. He is on the staff as a volunteer.
Susan Wilke Fuquay is an accomplished Christian educator who was among the first trainers for DISCIPLE leaders, and she adapted the original curriculum into a youth version of DISCIPLE, published in 1988. In 2016, she developed the Disciple Fast Track series for the United Methodist Publishing House. Most recently, she has led a team of scholars and writer/editors to revise, expand, and update the Fast Track curriculum, and she has directed the creation of the digital version of Disciple Fast Track.
Sarah Wilke is the Coordinator of Global Relations. Her role is to support the Institute’s growing focus on international ministry, helping expand the reach of the Institute beyond the United States geographically, beyond English-speaking persons, and beyond white/European backgrounds. Sarah also provides content and communications support for the BeADisciple Study App.