Katie studied Zoology at Ohio State University and went on to earn a Master’s degree in Wildlife Science from Purdue University. She has a PhD in Forest Resources, Wildlife Ecology and Management from West Virginia University. Katie became a follower of Jesus on a national wildlife refuge in Maryland at the age of 26. She worked for Intervarsity Christian Fellowship before becoming
an Environmental Biology professor at Bethel College in 2004.
In 2013, Katie felt the Lord calling her to the Muslim world, so
she moved to Tajikistan where she lived for 4 years, working with an
international non-governmental organization providing relief and development
opportunities to the people of Tajikistan.
Katie returned to the US in 2017, and returned to Bethel
University this past August.
She loves teaching students and is passionate about
spiritual formation, prayer, missions, and the care of creation.
Jonathan Brooks serves as Senior Pastor at Canaan Community Church in West Englewood. He has served as professor, mentor, art teacher, musician, performer, and Director of Mission Year in Chicago. He has contributed to numerous blogs and articles and released his first book, Church Forsaken, last year. As a firm believer in investing in the community you grew up in, Jonathan has a deep desire to impress this virtue on the students and young people in his congregation, classrooms, and community. Through various community partnerships Canaan Community Church provides youth development, holistic health options, college scholarships, art and music training, and continual support to the incarcerated and their families living in Englewood and other Chicago communities. Jonathan and his wife have two beautiful girls, Jasmine and Jade,
John Kaehr returned to serve his almamater in 2012 after 15 years in pastoral ministry. He served as a Resident Director for 6 years and currently serves as Associate Director for Community Life. John loves working with college students, helping them grow in their love of God’s word as they take their next steps with Jesus. John lives in South Bend with his wife Melissa, their 8 year old daughter Hannah, and their new puppy Zoey.
Dr. Ken Elzinga is the the Robert C. Taylor Professor of economics at the University of Virginia. He has received numerous teaching awards and each fall his Introductory Economics course attracts over 1000 students making it the largest class offered at the University of Virginia. An expert in antitrust economics, he has testified in several precedent setting antitrust cases including three supreme court decisions. The author of more than 70 academic publications, Mr. Elzinga is also known for his mystery novels written under the pen name Marshall Jevons, in which the protagonist employs economic analysis to solve crimes. Mr. Elzinga has served on the boards of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Hope College, and the Center for Christian Study at the University of Virginia and is active in ministry to college students. Mr. Elzinga has a BA and honorary doctorate from Kalamazoo College, a PhD from Michigan State University, and an honorary doctorate from Gordon College.
Dr. Theo Williams is an Associate Professor of Communication here at Bethel University, where he has taught for almost 14 years. He has a PhD in Communication from Regent University and an MA in Urban Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He and his wife Nichole have been married for almost 17 years and have ministered together locally, nationally, and over seas. Theo is a licensed and ordained minister currently serving as interim Pastor at Covenant Community Church in South Bend, Indiana. He has a heart and passion for young people, marriages, racial reconciliation, and social justice.
Laura Bulgrien is a sojourner at heart and she lives in a way that rests in God’s grace. Laura grew up in Michigan, attended Bethel University, and graduated in 2009. After Bethel, she lived and ministered in Hawaii and Colorado, before recently returning to the Midwest. Laura directed young adult discipleship and equipping programs with Forge ministry where she also served as an itinerant speaker, traveling nationally and internationally, calling people to know Jesus Christ and his gospel. Her most recent endeavor is joining the staff of Watermark Church in West Michigan, serving as youth pastor.
Laurie Krieg is the founder and executive director of Hole in My Heart Ministries. A ministry focused on equipping Christ followers with a gospel centered approach to sexuality. Laurie speaks and writes frequently and has been a featured guest on numerous blogs and podcasts. She has shared her story at various conferences including The Q Conference and at Leaders Forums which engage questions of faith, sexuality, and gender in the church. Laurie has taught at numerous colleges and universities and has served as the keynote at dozens of organizations and churches seeking ways to speak graceful truth. Laurie and her husband Matt are currently writing a book about their Impossible Marriage with Inter Varsity Press, due out next year. When Laurie is not working she loves to run, bake, and play super heroes with her kids.
Nirup is the lead pastor of Life Gate Church in Denver Colorado, a multi-ethnic community of Christ followers that has seen exponential growth and transformation in just the past few years. A sought after communicator, Nirup is passionate about teaching God’s word and keeping his focus on Jesus Christ. Nirup’s joy in life is being married to his wife Hannah and together raising their three boys.
Nirup is the lead pastor of Life Gate Church in Denver Colorado, a
multi-ethnic community of Christ followers that has seen exponential
growth and transformation in just the past few years. A sought after
communicator, Nirup is passionate about teaching God’s word and keeping
his focus on Jesus Christ. Nirup’s joy in life is being married to his
wife Hannah and together raising their three boys.
