Investiture of MBC's sixth president a time to honor heritage and celebrate future vision
Oct 2
3 min read
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in·ves·ti·ture
noun
the action of formally investing a person with honors or rank.
Montana Bible College President Joe King is usually seen in jeans and cowboy boots with a cup of Cafe Du Monde coffee in his hands. He's down-to-earth like the chicory spice in his coffee and would rather focus his attention on others than have it on himself.
But on September 6, 2025, President King had to put up with the spotlight being on him -- at least for a couple hours. Dressed in full regalia and accompanied by his wife, Joanna, and his four children, King was formally given the rank and honor of being named the sixth president of Montana Bible College.
The Investiture ceremony held all the pomp and circumstance it sounds like it should from full processional of MBC board members and faculty to:
an invocation by Faith Chapel Executive Pastor Brooks Rice;
scripture readings by MBC students and staff;
an official installation and oath of office;
a presentation of the presidential bolo tie by MBC President Emeritus Ryan Ward to President Joe King;
a presidential address;
a faculty signing of the MBC Statement of Faith;
and a benediction by Rev. Mitch Wardell, pastor of Grace Bible Church in Laurel and program chair of MBC's Next Gen Ministry program.
But the investiture of President King was about much more than pomp.
It honored the heritage of an institution that made a bold move from Bozeman to Billings two years ago. It publicly declared Montana Bible College's commitment to "make disciples for the glory of Christ, the growth of his church, and the good of this city." And it celebrated future vision with the main mission of MBC -- the flourishing of its students -- held front and center.
in·vest
verb
devote (one's time, effort, or energy) to a particular undertaking with the expectation of a worthwhile result.
Really, the investiture of President King was less noun and more verb, a public commitment by King and all MBC with him to devote time, effort and energy into equipping Christian leaders HERE so they can serve ANYWHERE -- with full expectation of a worthwhile result.
