Alumni Spotlight
President Spence and Robert Schlipp
Rev. Robert T. Schlipp ’97
Major: Biblical Studies and Broadcasting
Occupation: Bibleman, Tour Pastor for Bibleman Live, President of Thunder Media Ministries
Rev. Robert T. Schlipp may not be Batman or Spiderman, but as the newest Bibleman, he “guards the Biblecave, vanquishes Satan’s messengers and quotes Scripture like there’s a heck of a tomorrow,” according to the New York Times in June 2005.
He didn’t always sport Spandex and quote Bible verses to villains, however.
Schlipp graduated from Evangel in 1997 with degrees in biblical studies and broadcasting. He was very involved on campus and in the community, preparing for a job that he never expected to have. He was on the Evangel forensics team, produced Strobelight Music Television, and broadcast on KECC and Evangel’s TV station. In the community, he worked for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Springfield and worked as a Kids Club personality on Fox27 TV.
After graduating, Schlipp accepted a full-time job as a children’s minister in Northern California. He also gained experience as an actor, illusionist and professional clown. Little did he know that these would all add up to an event that would change the course of his life in the spring of 2003.
Willie Aames, former child actor in Eight is Enough and Charles in Charge, and the first Bibleman to go on tour, had met Schlipp when Aames came to his church on a Bibleman tour. Six years later, Aames asked Schlipp to take up the cape and take over the show. In June 2003, Schlipp resigned from his children’s pastor job and became a superhero. “We were just waiting for God to open another door,” Schlipp said in Today’s Pentecostal Evangel that November.
“Look, I’m not a talented singer or musician, and I’m not particularly athletic, but I can run around the country in spandex telling kids about Jesus,” Schlipp said.
His wife, Anayansi, became the first Biblegirl to tour in 2004. “I’m really excited about the opportunity and potential of reaching kids,” she told TPE. “It’s also an opportunity to have something positive for girls to look to and encourage them to learn Scriptures.”
Schlipp ministered also as Bibleman in New York as part of the last Billy Graham Crusade in June 2005. Graham told the New York Post that month that Bibleman’s work helped to gain the attention of children in an age of TV, the Internet and video games.
“Attending Evangel was a pivotal part of my spiritual development,” Schlipp said. “I cherish the time I spent there, and I thank God for the professors and friends who encouraged me to deepen my spiritual walk while seeking God’s will for my life.”