Dr. Light, of Racine, WV serves as a Minister at Large of Christ Fellowship of the Palm Beaches, Florida and is an adjunct professor in the Department of Religion, Liberty University Online, Lynchburg, Virginia. He earned the Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion from Ouachita Baptist University, Arkadelphia, Arkansas; Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas; and Doctor of Ministry from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, Lynchburg, Virginia. Dr. Light ministered as an evangelist from 1960-1966 before entering pastoral ministry. He served at the Twentieth Street Baptist Church in Huntington, WV from 1966-1970; First Baptist Church, South Charleston, WV from 1970-1976; West Shore Christian Fellowship, Muskegon, MI from 1976-1985; Fair Haven Christ Fellowship, Cynthiana, IN from 1985-1998; and Christ Fellowship, Palm Beach Gardens, FL from 1998 to 2007. Since 2005 he and his wife, Jenny, have served as the directors of Marriage Encounter of South Florida. In his fifty years as an ordained minister and during his pastorates Dr. Light also engaged as co-producer, director and host of the nationally syndicated television program “New Wine” for four years, taught for seven years as an adjunct instructor at the University of Charleston, frequently spoke at conferences, academic functions and revival meetings, directed youth camps for 14 years, and served as President of the West Virginia Baptist Ministers’ Conference. He has also been a member of the Board of Directors for a number of church-related organizations, and writer of numerous articles in Christian periodicals. From 1979 through 1998 he served as President of Revival for Our Day. He has done ministry in 25 nations in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, Mexico and Central America, having traveled to Israel on 30 occasions. Dr. Light has been married to the former Jenny Lind Tamplin for 48 years and they have three children, Chad Phillip, Jana Suzanne, and Mary Hannah Elizabeth, and seven grandchildren. He joined the MBI Faculty in January 2012 teaching Intro to End Times.

Dr. Linda received a Bachelor Degree in Ministry from Christian Leadership University in Elma, NY, Doctorate of Divinity Degree from Shining Light Bible College in Charleston, WV, where she was the Vice President, Dean of Education and Professor for three years, and she also obtained a Graduate of Biblical Studies from the Institute of Biblical Studies under Dr. Jerry Falwell. Desiring to become a more effective speaker, on October 3, 2009, she became a Certified Confidence Coach with Confidence Coaching Association in Spring Hill, FL and worked as an administrator for the President, Dr. Keith Johnson. In April of 2010, Dr. Linda became a ”published author” when her first book, Prayers of Authority, was released. Dr. Linda joins the Faculty as an instructor of Book of Acts and Book of Romans.

Dr. Rodney Taylor is pastor of Scott Depot Christ Fellowship. He has served Christ Fellowship since 1972, holding positions of assistant, associate, administrator and now senior pastor. He founded, organized and has been administrator of the Teays Valley Child Development Center and Teays Valley Christian School. Dr. Taylor completed his Ed.D. from West Virginia University in 1987. He serves the Scott Depot Christ Fellowship with his wife, Marlene, and his son, Timothy. Dr. Taylor has been an active participant in the Teays Valley Ministerial Association for many years and has served as its secretary, vice-president and president. As an Instructor at MBI, Dr. Taylor teaches The Book of Romans and Christian Leadership.

Yvonne Karl, speaker and freelance writer, is intimately acquainted with the church and community having served in pastoral ministry with her husband for nearly three decades before his death in 1999. She is a retired educator who travels to speak in churches and conferences around the world. Passionate about the Lord Jesus Christ, she communicates His Word in a down-to-earth, unpretentious style knowing that each person who so desires will experience His life-changing power in their lives. She has authored six inspirational books and hundreds of articles. Her earthly credetials include multiple listings in Marquis’ Who’s Who in American Education, Who’s Who of American Women, Who’s Who in America, and Who’s Who in the World. She did undergraduate studies at West Virginia State University, graduate studies at Michigan State University and Anderson University-School of Theology, and doctorate studies at Indiana University, and Lake Charles Bible College. In addition to pastoring, Yvonne has served on the Board of Agape Gospel Mission and taught at Agape Bible College in Ghana, West Africa. She has taught in university and secondary school, as well as serving as school counselor and K-12 principal. Yvonne as two children and two grandchildren. As an Instructor at MBI, Yvonne teaches Principles of Prayer.

Pastor Chad Pauley is the Pastor of the Children's Ministry, FaithKids, at the Depot Church, as well as the Director of Outreach. He has worked in several areas of ministry at the church, school and daycare. Pastor Chad was ordained in August of 2007. He graduated from West Virginia State University with degrees in History and English. He is currently working on his Doctorate of Divinity. He was born in Tampa, Florida and was raised in Saint Albans, WV. Pastor Chad joined the faculty at MBI in the Fall 2009 semester and has taught Book of Acts and Intro to Christian Doctrine.

David R. Bess is a graduate of Anderson University with a B.A. in Biblical Studies and Sociology. He has traveled in short-term missions to Africa, Mexico, and South America. His travels also include visits to Israel, Italy, Austria, Holland and Germany. Pastor David was an associate pastor at the inception of the Maranatha Fellowship where he served under Pastor James R. Wright for twenty-five years. He is presently Senior Pastor of Community Church of Teays Valley in Hurricane, WV. Pastor Bess has been married to his lovely wife Jackie for thirty-six years and together they have three children and four grandchildren. As an Instructor at MBI, Pastor David has taught Modern World Missions and Evangelism and the Writings of John.

Dr. James R. Wright, Jr. is the founder and president of Maranatha Bible Institute. He is also founder and Lead Pastor of the Maranatha Fellowship Church in St. Albans, WV. Pastor Wright is a graduate of Gulf Coast Bible College with a B.A. in Bible, Universal Bible Institute with a Masters of Bible, and Lake Charles Bible College with a Doctorate of Ministry. Pastor Wright has preached revivals, marriage seminars, and camp meetings throughout the United States and has traveled abroad in many different countries. He has taken 21 tours to Israel and has held crusades in Mexico and Nigeria. In Nigeria he preached to over 40,000 people. His travels have also taken him to Germany, Austria, Sweden, Egypt, Italy, and India. Pastor Wright and his wife, Virginia, started a new ministry in February 1998, called Wright Way Ministries, Inc. A non-profit corporation, the ministry was formulated to help pastors and congregations to grow and reach more people for Christ. Pastor Wright travels to help these congregations in revivals, seminars and consultations. Pastor Wright has been married to Virginia for 40 years and they have three children and seven grandchildren. As an Instructor at MBI, Pastor Wright has taught The Life of Christ, the Book of Hebrews, and Christian Leadership, Blood Covenant, Five-Fold Ministry.

Jay graduated from Ashland College, Ashland, Ohio with a B.S. in Business Administration. He went on to get further education and certification in the field of insurance. After a year in retail management, Jay went to work for Nationwide Insurance, a fortune 100 company. During his 18 year tenure, he held various management, director and consulting positions until he felt the Lord direct his steps into full-time ministry. Attending Maranatha Fellowship since 2000, Jay has been an active volunteer serving in the jail ministry, security team, Easter play, and financial counseling programs. From 2006 to 2009, Jay filled the role of Administrator of Maranatha Fellowship. Now as Executive Pastor, Jay supervised both the Ministry and Administration staff and provides organizational direction towards fulfilling the mission set forth Pastor Wright. As an Instructor at MBI, Jay teaches Administration and Ethics.

Pastor Lane Kirby graduated from West Virginia University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Child Development and Family Studies and in 2001 with a Master of Social Work Degree.  She went on to work in Youth Ministry in Lynchburg, Virginia and obtained her first full time job as an Individual and Family Counselor.  In December 2002, Lane moved back home to Nitro and began attending Maranatha Fellowship Church.  Lane came on staff at Maranatha in September 2006 and after 2 years as Congregational Care Assistant, was moved to Dean of Academics and Students for MBI. Lane also graduated with the first MBI graduating class in December 2008. She is married to Steve and has three step-sons and one son on the way. As instructor at MBI, Pastor Lane has taught Christian Counseling, Discipleship, Life of Christ, and Intro to Christian Doctrine.

Pastor Richard Sylvester holds his Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Flossie, have three beautiful daughters. He joined the faculty at MBI in the Fall of 2009 semester teaching Modern Evangelism and World Missions.

Pastor Terry Hogue graduated from Ball State University where he received his bachelor’s degree in math and industrial arts, also doing graduate studies in industrial management. After 25 years in the business world, he has devoted himself to the work of God at the Maranatha Fellowship Church. He served as church administrator for 15 years and is now the Congregational Care Pastor. Pastor Terry is married to Kathy Sue and they are blessed with three children and four beautiful granddaughters and one handsome grandson. As an Instructor of MBI, Pastor Terry has taught Old Testament Survey, General Epistles, and Pauline Epistles.