Bishop Kemper School for Ministry
Connect with us
  • Home
  • RSVP for Celebration of New Ministry
  • Register for Courses
  • January Attendance
  • 2025-26 Course Schedule
    • August 2025 courses
    • September 2025 courses
    • October 2025 courses
    • November 2025 courses
    • December 2025 courses
    • January 2026 courses
    • February 2026 courses
    • March 2026 courses
    • April 2026 courses
    • May 2026 courses
  • 2025-26 Faculty
  • Programs of Study
    • Presbyteral Studies
    • Diaconal Studies
    • Anglican Studies
    • Parish Ministry Associate Program
    • Lay Catechist Certificate
    • Lay Evangelist Certificate
    • Lay Preacher Certificate
    • Pastoral Leader Certificate
  • Student Resources
    • 2025-26 Academic Calendar
    • Focus Weekends >
      • Focus Weekend Schedule
      • Find the Campus
    • Core Values
    • Policies and Procedures
    • Liturgical Customary
    • Anti Racism Covenant
    • Library Resources >
      • BKSM Grace Cathedral Joint Library Project
    • MDiv Opportunities
  • Tuition and Scholarships
    • Scholarship Application
  • About BKSM
    • BKSM Staff
    • Board of Directors
    • Sponsoring Dioceses
    • ELCA Partnership
    • Who Is Bishop Kemper?
  • BKSM Apparel Shop
  • Donate
  • Contact Us
  • Biblical Greek Course
  • Biblical Hebrew Course

Lay Evangelist Certificate

Although all Christians are called to be evangelists (that is, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ), the Church recognizes that certain individuals have particular giftings in this area. The Lay Evangelist program provides you helpful coursework to lead evangelism efforts more effectively in your faith community.

In order to begin taking classes for this lay program, you must provide a letter of support from your parish priest. If your church is without a priest, a letter of support from your senior warden will suffice. That letter should be emailed to the Rev. Fran Wheeler,  BKSM registrar, at   [email protected].

Licenses for all canonical lay ministries are issued by the bishop of one’s diocese. If you have questions about lay licensure, contact your diocesan office.

Each course must be taken for credit. Students follow all the usual BKSM academic policies and procedures.  After you have successfully completed the seven courses listed below, BKSM will award you a certificate of completion and forward your transcript to your bishop.           
 
Required Courses
  • Communications in the Digital Age
  • Evangelism
  • Social Ministry 1
  • Social Ministry 2
  • Contemporary Society
  • Christian History
  • Anglican Spirituality

You will find the 2025-26 course schedule here.

You are invited, though not required, to attend the July retreat for second year priest/deacon and lay studies students.

To get started, fill out the Contact Us form or Register for a Course.
Contact us for more information
Address:
Bishop Kemper School for Ministry
701 SW 8th Avenue
Topeka, KS 66603

Address for Tuition Payments/Donations:
The Rev, Fran Wheeler
14519 S. Kaw Dr.

Olathe, KS 66062


The Bishop Kemper School for Ministry is a collaborative venture of the Episcopal Dioceses of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, West Missouri, Nebraska and Western Kansas.
BKSM also partners with the Central States Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
BKSM offers classes and programs to educate people for church leadership in both lay and ordained vocations.