Montana Bible College Selects Sixth President

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” -Ephesians 3:20-21

It is with great joy and anticipation that Montana Bible College announces the selection of its sixth president. Mr. Joe King accepted the offer from the Board of Directors in March 2025 and is now the acting President of MBC. Ryan Ward will serve through the transition period as President Emeritus, completing his 18 years of total service and eight-year presidential term at the end of May 2025. 

King has been on staff with Montana Bible College since March 2024, serving as the Dean of Students & Discipleship before being promoted to Vice President of Student Affairs. As members of the Board of Directors’ Presidential Search Committee sought a new president following Ward’s September announcement that this academic year would be his last in the role, they became increasingly aware that the best candidate was already in their midst. Their confidence in King was affirmed when the presidential announcement to the MBC student body in March was met with heartfelt cheers and gratitude.

“I have absolutely fallen in love with MBC, our students, and the Billings community,” King said. “Discipleship happens in the context of relationships and my desire is to nurture existing relationships here while forging new relationships in our community and with local churches. These collective partnerships are essential for Kingdom work here in Billings, all of Montana, and to the ends of the earth.”

King moves into the presidential role with 100% support from Ward, as noted in the video announcement of the presidential transition.

Prior to coming to MBC, King served 26 years as a youth and senior pastor, primarily in Mississippi. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry (minor in Christian Education) from Leavell College (2005); a Master of Arts in Discipleship from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (2024); and a Master of Theological Studies from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (2024).

King’s wife, Joanna, is active in ministry in her role as Executive Assistant and Interim Program Director at Billings Leadership Foundation, which supports the Montana Rescue Mission and Friendship House of Christian Service in their work with homeless and low-income individuals and families. His four children, ages 9-15, attend local schools and are active in church and nonprofit service. The King family is deeply committed to building strong ties in the community.

“As I move forward, I want to be very intentional about holding onto and honoring that historical obedience the school’s leadership has had toward staying true to God’s plan and God’s mission for discipleship, and truly the expansion of the kingdom,” King said. “That is something I, too, will hold fast to while at the same time—because we’re in a different place and because we’re in a different time—there are innovative ways that we can continue to train students to be effective disciple-makers wherever God leads them.”

MBC board members and staff are grateful for Ward’s long years of service to the college and its students. Ward will continue to teach through the spring semester and will work with King to ensure a smooth leadership transition. He has accepted a role with RW360 as Director of Academic and Church Initiatives. King will continue to teach four discipleship classes through the spring semester while actively casting vision and strategy for the future of Montana Bible College. Thank you for praying for MBC’s leadership, board of directors, staff, and students as graduation approaches and this new chapter begins.