Gil Michel is the founding pastor of That Church Downtown, a multi-racial inner-city church in South Bend, IN. That Church Downtown was planted to reach an unchurched population and created to be a place of authenticity and transparency and growth for those who seek to know Christ and be known.
As an ordained minister, Gil’s missionary work in Ghana, West Africa is considered one of his life’s highlights. With helping to spearhead initiatives such as PURE Assembly & National Day of Prayer, which focuses on city-wide renewal and prayer, Gil has availed himself to seeing widespread revival in his region.
Currently, Gil is the co-host of a re-launched podcast called HisStories, which has been featured on WHME-FM and listened to, nationwide. HisStories is a show that highlights the testimonies of ordinary people experiencing an extraordinary God.
Gil Michel is the CEO and President of The Caleb Group, Inc., a small business solutions firm located in South Bend, IN. As a 2 nd generation accountant and entrepreneur, Gil has had a sense of financial stewardship ingrained into him from his father, who started Gil working in his NY accounting firm arranging tax returns since he was 10 years old. Gil’s experience has evolved from working in the top ten CPA firms to working one-on-one with small business owners in developing realistic budgets to create wealth for their families.
Gil is cherished as a valuable member of his community but most importantly by his wife, Marketo, daughter, Jolai, and son, Christian.
Laura Bulgrien grew up in Pure Michigan and graduated from Bethel in 2009. She spent a number of years traveling internationally and across the U.S. as a speaker with Forge Ministries. She currently lives in West Michigan and is serving as the student pastor at Watermark Church.
Through speaking, ministry travels, small groups, and one-on-one discipleship, Laura hopes to help others know Christ and live with greater confidence in His power at work within and through them.
Pastor Jonathan is known for his high energy, humor as well as his skilled teaching of the Word and bold declaration of Jesus Christ. Pastor Jonathan who is also a song writer and musician, was nominated for the 2013 Grammy’s “Gospel Song of the Year” for his collaboration with artist, Fred Hammond. His innovative leadership style, and willingness to bridge the gap between generations, has catapulted his ministry to new heights. Pastor Jonathan’s desire is to make the Word of God relevant to an unchurched generation. His fearless embrace of the anointing on his life and his compassion for people move him forward to accomplish this goal. Pastor Jonathan has spoken to global organizations like the National Football League, and he’s shared at countless universities, and ministries of diverse faith.
President Gregg Chenoweth delivers his traditional beginning of the school year message to the students.
Dr. Terry Chi, is an assistant professor of psychology at Bethel. Dr. Chi received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas, Austin and his master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of California, Berkeley.
Prior to coming to Bethel, Dr. Chi taught at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and Northwestern College.
Terry is married to Grace Chi, who works at the Bethel Dining Commons, and they have a 9 year old daughter named Kimberlynn, and a 2-year-old shih-tzu named KoKo.
Daniel Wallace has enjoyed 30 years directing camps in Michigan and Texas, and currently serves as the Executive Director of Gull Lake Ministries, a Christian conference center and family resort in Hickory Corners, Michigan.
A graduate of Evangel University and Grand Rapids Theological Seminary, Daniel is a licensed minister of the Gospel and a popular conference speaker for adults and youth across the Country.
He and his wife, Michelle, have been married for nearly thirty years and have four children.
As we enter our annual DUDE Week, it’s great to have someone sharing in chapel who actually helped plan and participated in the week while he was a student at Bethel.
Cole Farlow graduated from Bethel in 2016 with degrees in Youth Ministry and Adolescent Studies. During his time here he served as a Resident Assistant and a student intern at Trinity Evangelical Free Church in South Bend.
Cole is a Pastor from Muncie, IN, having most recently served as the Student Ministries Pastor at Union Chapel Ministries.
He is married to Addy, and it’s our privilege to have him in chapel today.
Mark Matlock is a seasoned leader providing more than two decades of executive leadership to WisdomWorks as its founder. Previously Mark served as president of Youth Specialties. Mark has authored more than twenty books for parents and teens and organized hundreds of ministry events nationwide for teens, parents, and pastors.
As a consultant Mark has worked with national and international organizations such as Seed Company, Barna Group, Brotherhood Mutual, and Full Strength Network.
Mark also serves on the board of The American Bible Society, and is an ordained minister, having served as a lay pastor at his home church, Irving Bible Church, for 27 years.
Mark has been married to his wife Jade for twenty-five years and they have two college age children. Mark’s latest book with David Kinnaman, Faith For Exiles was published in 2019 by Baker Books.
Cory Martin graduated from Bethel College in 2000 with a degree in Biblical Studies. After graduation he became involved first in local politics and then national politics. Cory served as the District Director for Congressman Chris Chocola for 6 years and the District Director for Congressman Mark Souder for 4 years.
After leaving politics, Cory worked as Director of Development for The Crossing Educational Center, a faith-based alternative school, before accepting a job as Chaplain at the Elkhart County Jail, where he’s served for the past 6 years.
Cory is married to Shannan and they have 4 children ages 11-25 and live in Goshen.
