John Kaehr returned to Bethel in 2012 after 15 years in pastoral ministry. He has served as a Resident Director for the last 6 years and currently fulfills the role of 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 here on campus with his wife Melissa and their 7 year old daughter Hannah.
David Bennett comes to Bethel as the first stop on his tour for his book A War of Loves.
David is a Fellow at the Oxford Center for Christian Apologetics and has recently completed his postgraduate diploma in theology at the University of Oxford as well as his Masters in Analytical and Exegetical Theology at the University of St. Andrews. He is currently reading for his doctorate in Theology at Oxford University. David is a passionate Christian apologist who speaks and writes on a wide range of topics including sexuality and faith.
Suze Fair serves as team lead for the Internship Experience at the Corporate University. She served for a dozen years as an ordained Pastor and strategic leader at Fellowship Missionary Church. Higher Education is also a part of Suze’s professional story as she was an Assistant Professor of Communication for Taylor University Fort Wayne for nearly a decade. Her time in ministry, as well as, higher education forged in Suze a deep and abiding commitment to the next generation. While Suze has had a variety of rewarding and life giving careers, being married to her husband Kelly is one of her greatest joys. Kelly and Suze served together at Fellowship Missionary Church for ten years. They are the parents of three adult children.
David Cramer has a passion for how the Christian faith makes a difference in contemporary society. He works for Baker Academics in Grand Rapids, Michigan and currently serves as Managing Editor of the Institute of Mennonite Studies. David is the teaching Pastor at Keller Park Church an urban congregation in South Bend. His writing has appeared in scholarly and popular outlets including Christian Century and Sojourners and he is currently working on a book on the topic of christian nonviolence.
Brooke Hempell is Barna Group’s Senior Vice President of Research and manages the firm’s research studies. From semi-annual polls that track the pulse of Americans’ beliefs and practices, to custom studies for para-church ministries, denomination, businesses, and non-profit organizations. Through this work Barna helps leaders gain insights into faith groups and the general population’s perspectives on faith and cultural issues. Prior to joining Barna, Brooke led market research engagements for clients in the pharmaceutical, financial services, and retail industries for more than 15 years. She earned her B.S. in Business and Marketing from Cornell University. Brooke is active in church planting and racial reconciliation ministries and lives in Atlanta, GA.
Matt Manzari has lived a full life in 27 short years. He experienced a professional athletic career, married the love of his life, two near death accidents, and recently entered into fatherhood. Through it all, he has seen how to move through challenges of every kind. Matt shares a message of hope and perseverance to change the way we look at challenge.
John Avant grew up in the mountains of North Carolina and become a follower of Jesus at the age of 16. He earned his undergraduate degree from Baylor University and his M Div and PhD at Southwestern Seminary where he learned about spiritual awakening and revival. John has a deep love and compassion for people and believes that the only hope for our nation is to experience a mighty movement of God. John has pastored churches throughout the south and has served as Vice President of Evangelism and Spiritual Awakening at the North American Mission Board. He is an author and speaker and currently serves as President of Life Action Ministries. John enjoys hiking the mountains with his wife Donna, scuba diving, and playing golf. He and Donna have three adult children and four grandchildren.
Emily Sherwood, Bethel’s Alumni Director, recognizes alumni award recipients Randy Lehman, Jorge and Caron Marquez, and Michaela Murray.
For over 25 years, Dan Grider has been working with church multiplication across the United States. In 1990 he planted a vibrant church in southern California. The church grew to over 1500 in attendance and launched nine church plants and campuses. He went on to serve at Beach Church in Myrtle Beach, creating a reproducing discipleship-making environment then Dan relocated to Knoxville, TN, where he launched the Ignite Church Network for church multiplication. Through a mentoring and discipleship-making model, he has created a strong and vibrant network of churches that reproduce leaders who are leading transformational communities.
Dan enjoys golfing, snowboarding, mountain biking, back packing, and surfing. He is married to Debra and they have two adult children.
