Institute for
Ministry
Development

Our History

The Institute for Ministry Development (IMD) is owned and operated by the Assemblies of God fellowship, and is part of the General Council Assemblies of God U. S. Missions. The present owning districts of IMD are Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana.

The Institute for Ministry Development began as Good Shepherd Indian Bible Institute in Mobridge, South Dakota, in1970 with Rev. Leo Bankson serving as the founding and first president. The first educational facility was constructed next to Mobridge Assembly of God church using MAPS (Mobilization And Placement Service) teams. In 1988 Good Shepherd bought the vacant Northwestern Lutheran Academy in west Mobridge and began operating there after extensive remodeling. The old original (east) campus was then sold in pieces over the next 10 years.

Having begun as Good Shepherd Indian Bible Institute in 1970, the name was changed to Central Indian Bible College in 1984. In 1998 the name was changed to Black Hills Indian Bible College. In May of 1998 the college ceased operating in Mobridge and moved to Rapid City, South Dakota, coinciding with the name change. In 2002 the Mobridge property was sold. In the fall of 2002 the name was changed to the Institute for Ministry Development (IMD).

Currently IMD owns no real estate. The proceeds resulting from the sale of the Mobridge property have been invested, and the funds are being used to accomplish the ministry of IMD.

IMD has always operated with virtually no paid salary positions. Almost all personnel throughout the history of the college have been appointed Assemblies of God national home missionaries, MAPS workers, or volunteers. At this time no individual, including the president, receives a salary from IMD.

While Black Hills Indian Bible College operated in Rapid City, it offered college level classes both on-site and by extension. From the years 2000 to 2002 approximately three hundred students took distance education classes in over twenty different communities in six states. Interest was in large part due to the novel one-credit courses developed to address local church needs, such as ‘God's Answer to Substance Abuse‘, and ‘Death, Grief and Dying‘.

Because of the success of the distance education program, in the fall of 2002 the board of directors decided to focus our ministry in distance education entirely. To coincide with that, the board decided to redefine our objectives and to change the name to the Institute for Ministry Development (IMD). The objectives of IMD are four-fold:

1)help with basic discipleship materials or courses where needed,
2)present lay leadership development courses or seminars,
3)offer courses in ministry credentialing preparation, and
4)assist with pastoral continuing education.

The ministry courses are now primarily Berean Institute level, although a few individuals are taking Global University college level courses. IMD instructors are teaching some of the classes and local pastors are teaching others. In addition, a number of individuals are taking classes independently.

For information, the years of service of the various presidents of our institution are as follows:

Leo Bankson 1970-1977
Owen Mincks 1977-1984
Phil Joseph 1984-1988
Robert Brandt 1988-1989
Howard Hodson 1989-1993
George Kallappa 1993-1996
Robert Koscak 1996-present

Because of the poor economic conditions facing many of its target people, IMD offers courses at reduced rates and endeavors to raise funds to cover the remainder of the costs and expenses. The desire of people in remote areas to take these distance education classes and seminars is incredible! The effect of IMD will only be limited by our desire and ability to finance and coordinate this activity.

The Institute for Ministry Development is a federal 501(c) (3) Nonprofit Corporation (Fed. ID #46-0346130), and is also recorded as a Nonprofit Corporation in the State of South Dakota.

We encourage you to become a financial and prayer supporter of the Institute for Ministry Development. On behalf of all those involved, past and present, and on behalf of a grateful people, we thank you for your support and interest in IMD.