Toledo, OH
A place to learn and rest under the Lordship of Christ
We are a community at the center of Toledo’s cultural life, offering hospitality to the city through public lectures, courses of study, and other events. We exist so Toledoans—whether tradesmen, engineers, or something else—can come together and grow in Christian thinking.At Iona, we assist the Toledoan to see Christ’s Lordship over the world. There is no industry, no discipline, no scholarly pursuit, or subject in which Christ has no dominion. All of life should be submitted to Him. Both college students and tradesmen should think in this way.We serve the students of the University of Toledo and all residents of Toledo.
What is Iona?
Iona is a Christian Study Center, an institution of learning and hospitality, for Toledo. We are the meeting place of faith and public life for our city, calling Toledoans to think Christianly and to participate in the public square.We host free events for the public—lectures, hymn sings, and debates—in downtown Toledo and also offer fellows programs for those wanting deeper study of theology, history, Christian living, and more.MISSION: Promoting Christian thinking through hospitality, public lectures, courses of study, intellectual discourse, and a place of rest for Toledo and the members of her cultural centers and academic institutions.VISION: Encouraging Toledoans to think and live under the Lordship of Christ.
Distinctives
1) Iona holds to the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed. All are welcome at our study center. Protestants, Roman Catholics, and others are welcome to apply for our courses of study and all are welcome to our public events.2) As of now, our student fellows program is for men. Universities are filling up with women, while the men are leaving. We are offering a place for those men to grow.3) We offer courses in music, literature, history, philosophy, and theology.4) We require music courses for those in our student fellows programs. Students are not required to play an instrument. The music courses cover light theory, music history, and vocals.5) Our courses are in-person with small class sizes, close to the Oxford model.
Professors
Ryan Baechle, MA
Ryan Baechle earned bachelors degrees in English and French from Kent State Univerisity. He then went on to earn his Masters of Arts in Literature from the University of Toledo. After teaching writing and literature at Lourdes University, Adrian College, and the University of Toledo, he went on to teach writing and rhetoric at the Reformed Evangelical Pastors College and to work as an editor for Accenture.Nathanael Filippelli, DMA
Dr. Filippelli earned his Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance at Evangel University where he studied piano with Linda Ligate, and later a Master's Degree at Missouri State University studying with Peter Collins. He completed a Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance and Pedagogy at the University of Iowa, where he held a piano Teaching Assistantship and a choral accompanist Teaching Assistantship in the School of Music. After completing his doctoral studies, he earned the Kodály Music Education Certificate, Levels I–III from the New Saint Andrew’s College Conservatory of Music.Lucas Wilson, MDiv
Mr. Wilson was a pastor for twelve years before becoming the Director of Discipleship at Emmanuel Christian School, where he also teaches apologetics and Bible. He earned his master of divinity from the Reformed Evangelical Pastors College.Noah Wing, MFA
Noah Wing earned his Bachelors in English literature at the University of Toledo before he went on to earn his Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from The Camperdown Writer’s Kiln at New Saint Andrews College. Along with directing Iona, he is a contributing writer for Michigan Enjoyer.
Board of Trustees
Ryan Baechle—Chairman
Nathanael Filippelli—Treasurer
Samuel Speweik—Secretary
Noah Wing—Trustee
Iona Study Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation funded entirely by the generosity of donors. Consider supporting our work by giving a tax-deductible donation.
Contact
General Questions: [email protected] or call (567)-806-7350.Student Fellows Questions: [email protected]