Melba Weaver’s journey through the 66 books of the Bible, college, and finally, a graduation, truly inspires the words “The Lord was at my side.”
Weaver is 88. In introducing the graduate, college president Dr. Robert Thurman said that the college was honoring her for a degree earned through much money, much prayer, much frustration, many tears, and hard work.
Melba Weaver’s journey at Brookes Bible College in St. Louis began during the 1998-99 school year.
“I was not pursuing [a] degree at that time. I just wanted to have a better understanding of the Word of God,” Weaver said in a release.
She was studying at the school’s South Grand location and would later take classes at the St. Charles Rock Road campus. When that site moved to south St. Louis County, she went along.
As years passed, Weaver never abandoned her dream of earning a degree. She began taking courses online, and she credits her family “for helping through many computer challenges.”
This included downloading a 700-page textbook onto her computer so she could enlarge the type and more easily study the material.
After more than a quarter of a century of study, Weaver was presented with an Associate of Biblical and Ministerial Studies degree on Saturday, May 10, 2025, during the Brookes Commencement ceremony.
Weaver thanked several professors who exceeded her expectations.
“They stirred up an even greater interest in the Word of God,” she said
Joshua Clutterham, the academic dean, encouraged Weaver to pursue an undergraduate degree.
“I will never forget the time and effort Professor Clutterham spent trying to help me reach my intended goal, as well as his encouragement at times when I was about to give up,” she said.
If successful in her plans, Weaver will be at the 2026 Brookes Bible College graduation ceremony to receive her second college degree.
Brookes Bible College was founded in 1909 as part of the legacy of Dr. James Hall Brookes (1830 – 1897). A Presbyterian pastor, Brookes was an influential theologian, author of more than 200 books, pamphlets, and journal articles, leader of the Niagara Bible Conference, and editor of a nationally circulated theology journal.
The Saint Louis Bible Training School for Lay Workers was established in 1909 but was later renamed Brookes Bible Institute in honor of Dr. Brookes. In pursuit of formal accreditation, the name was changed to Brookes Bible College.
The college offers a bachelor’s degree in theology and a bachelor’s degree in biblical studies plus a master’s in biblical counseling. It also offers associate degrees in Biblical & Ministerial Studies and in Biblical Counseling & Practical Theology plus for-credit certificates in several academic areas, including Biblical Languages, Worldview Studies, and Shepherding Care.
Brookes offers classes at satellite sites to meet student needs. The college also has developed an aggressive online course presence, enabling students to complete college degrees without on-campus attendance.
Juneteenth online church celebration
Detroit’s Greater Grace Temple will celebrate its second Juneteenth Digital Opportunity Bible Study from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday June 19, 2025.
According to Fallon Wilson, vice president of policy at the Multicultural Media and Telecommunication Internet Council (MMTC) and the event’s facilitator, Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be emphasized.
“Grandmothers will share stories that can educate AI, teens will dissect the social justice challenges AI brings, and experts will break down what the technology means for the job market,” he said.
“All under the vaulted ceilings of the cornerstone that has tethered us in a world that doesn’t like who and what we are.
“We’ve never done anything in our country without the church. Who has access to the people? Who will mobilize the masses? The church has to do it; if not, who will?”
The day’s workshops — from AI fundamentals to ethics — will be in-person as well as on Zoom so people can participate coast to coast. Wilson says the programming is designed for an intentionally intergenerational audience where youth can dissect algorithmic bias alongside elders and experts whose lived experience could humanize AI.
Collaborators include Michigan state Rep. Rashida Tlaib, Jurnell Cockhren, instructor and lead researcher at Black Tech Futures Research Institute, and Johnnie Turnage, co-founder, Black Tech Saturday.
The Meeting ID to participate via Zoom is 827 4938 1516