Dr. Don Bartlette has been an internationally renowned speaker for nearly 50 years. Hundreds of thousands of people have been touched by his Christ-centered messages, most notably his personal testimony of being an Indian child growing up with severe speech and physical handicaps in an environment of poverty, child abuse, family violence, homelessness, racism and alcoholism.
He has shared his story on television and radio, including Focus on the Family and The 700 Club. Dr. Bartlette has spoken at conferences and commencements, State Prayer Breakfasts, and regularly for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes; he has received numerous awards throughout his life.
Don and his wife are the parents of seven daughters and one son, Seth, who graduated from Bethel. They have 22 grandchildren and reside in Canton Ohio.
This morning we’re blessed to hear from Dr. Robert Brandt. Dr. Brandt grew up in San Diego, California. He pursued an engineering degree at San Diego State University because he wanted to build buildings. But God had different plans. After surrendering control of his life to God’s will he was called into ministry and instead would build into peoples’ lives.
Robert served in full-time ministry for 15 years in churches in California and Colorado, and is now in his 20th year of teaching at Bethel.
Robert is married to his wife, Melody, and they have seven children…and two grandchildren. Robert, Melody and his family have intentionally invested in a wide variety of students over their years at Bethel.
We are excited to have Lina AbuJamra back on campus for our annual Leadership Weekend today and tomorrow.
Lina is founder of Living with Power Ministries and a popular Bible teacher, podcaster, and recent DEEPER LIFE Series speaker.
She is also the host of a radio show and the author of several books, Don’t Tell Anyone You’re Reading This, a Christian doctor’s thoughts on sex, shame, and other troublesome issues, that she provided to all Bethel students for FREE in the fall.
Lina is a pediatric ER doctor who practices telemedicine and in her “spare” time, she provides medical care and humanitarian help to Syrian refugees and others in disaster areas.
Would you please welcome back to Bethel, Lina AbuJamra.
Jeremy and Mindie, a couple with a heart for missions, have dedicated nearly 24 years of their lives to serving through World Partners and the Missionary Church. Having lived in Guinea, Senegal, France, and Germany, they have acquired an appreciation for diverse cultures, peoples, and religions. They are now embarking on their next adventure as missionaries in residence here at Bethel University.
Both Jeremy and Mindie are Bethel alumni, graduating in 2000, with Mindie earning a BSN and Jeremy’s degree in interdisciplinary studies in Bible, Missions, and Music. Together, they have three children and enjoy hiking and movie nights.
We’re continuing in our annual GO Series, a week focused on God’s work and mission in our world, whether it’s across the street or around the globe.
This morning we are blessed to hear from Rev. Michaele LaVigne, a wife, mother, pastor, author, spiritual director and ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene. Michaele has served in a variety of ministry contexts over the years including an under-resourced neighborhood in Ohio, a developing country in Southern Africa, and a large suburban congregation.
Michaele is an author and speaker who regularly leads workshops on issues related to spiritual formation, racial equity, and justice.
Michaele is a graduate of Mt. Vernon Nazarene University and earned a Master of Divinity degree from Ashland Theological Seminary. She is married to Brent, and they have a son and daughter.
This morning we kick off our annual GO Series, a week focused on God’s work and mission in our world and how we can join Him. In the books of Acts, Jesus tells his followers that they would “receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them. And that they would be his witnesses everywhere—in Jerusalem, Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” This instruction extends to us today.
Here to share about us being Christ’s witnesses in our own Jerusalem or “back yard” is Geoff King. Geoff is a shepherd leader with a heart to see people, families, and communities, firmly rooted and expressively loved in the way, truth, and life of Jesus. Geoff graduated from Bethel University and now serves as CEO of Love Fort Wayne, seeking to convene The Church & community to love leaders, pastors, schools, and families with God’s love. The missional hope is shalom and citywide transformation.
Geoff also serves on several parachurch ministry teams, committees, and boards, is a pastor, speaker and committed mentor of young men. He enjoys running, reading, downtime with his family and traveling with close friends. Geoff and his wife Erika have three children.
This morning we have the privilege of hearing from the Rev. Dr. Keith Koteskey, Associate Professor of Christian Ministries and current Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Prior to coming to Bethel, Keith served in pastoral ministry for twenty-one years. He brings that experience to the classroom in courses that address ministry practices – preaching, pastoral care, church leadership, evangelism and discipleship.
In addition to teaching, Keith enjoys mentoring ministry students, and supervising internships. And he and his wife LeAnne regularly host student groups and classes in their home for dinner and fellowship.
Keith recently earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Asbury Theological Seminary.
He loves kayaking and hiking, coffee and chocolate, donuts and chasing tornadoes.
