Deeper Life: Lina AbuJamra Mon AM

This week is our DEEPER LIFE SERIES, a time when we consider what it means to deepen our relationship with Christ and submit more fully to His work in our lives.

Our guest speaker for the week is Lina AbuJamra, founder of Living with Power Ministries and a popular Bible teacher, podcaster, and conference speaker. Lina is also the host of a radio show and the author of several books, including Fractured Faith and her new Bible Study Through the Desert: A Study on God’s Faithfulness.

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.

Travis Geisel

This morning we are blessed to hear from Travis Geisel, coordinator of NextGen Ministries for the Central Region of the Missionary Church. Travis graduated from Bethel in 2009. During his time here, he was involved in Choir, Concert and Jazz Bands, Jazz Combo, and was a dedicated member of the Wiekamp Wackos (just think of a 2008 version of Peyton Miller).

In his role as NextGen Ministries Coordinator, Travis works with churches across Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin, supporting and caring for Children’s and Student Ministries’ Pastors, and helping to engage, equip, and empower emerging leaders in their ministry callings.

Travis, his wife, Lindsay, and their four children attend the Pathway Community Church in Ft. Wayne, and in their free time, they love to travel to new cities, catch a baseball games, and explore local restaurants.

Derry Prenkert

This morning we are blessed to hear from Derry Prenkert. Derry serves with Standing Stone Ministry, a non-profit organization that provides free and confidential coaching, consultation, and care to church leaders. He also serves in the role of Pastor of Church relations with Bethel University, his alma mater.

It was during his time at Bethel University that God grabbed ahold of his heart and called him to be a minister to the next generation. While at Bethel Derry became an intern at Nappanee Missionary church and eventually joined the pastoral staff, where he served in student ministry and on the preaching team for 21 years. From there he joined the staff at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky, before returning to the area to assume his current ministry roles.

Derry married his college sweetheart Janelle, and they four children.

YPJ

Pastor YPJ is the pastor of Faith Alive Ministries in South Bend. He is known for his high energy informative sermons, bold stance for the name of Jesus and witty humor.

YPJ is also a songwriter and musician, and was nominated for the 2013 Grammy’s Gospel Song of the Year category for his songwriting contributions on Fred Hammond’s song, “I Feel Good.”

YPJ has just released his first book, Intentionally Random. His innovative leadership style and willingness to bridge the gap between generations has afforded him a platform to reach thousands of people across the country and around the world through speaking, music and ministry.

Leadership Weekend: Curtis Zackery

We are excited to have CZ (or Curtis Zackery) with us this morning in chapel, and as our guest speaker for our annual Leadership Weekend.  CZ combines a passion for communication with a desire to see lives changed for Jesus Christ.

God has gifted CZ with the ability to connect with people of all ages, races and backgrounds as he shares his love of the Bible and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. CZ graduated from Liberty University and continued his education at Golden Gate Seminary in CA.

He worked as the program director at Kids Across America before taking on a pastoral role at a church in Franklin, TN, where he and his wife Monique live.

Jake Bland

This morning we are blessed to hear from Jake Bland, President and CEO of Youth For Christ USA. Youth for Christ has been a pillar of missional youth ministry since 1944, when the Rev. Billy Graham served as YFC’s first full-time staff member. Today, Youth For Christ reaches young people everywhere, including in over 100 nations and through 140 local chapters across America.

Jake’s journey with YFC began as a high school student, then as a volunteer and intern. Prior to joining the YFC staff, he taught in the Interactive Media Department at Bradley University and co-founded two media production companies. He holds a master’s degree in Youth Ministry Leadership from Huntington University.

Jake and his wife, Alison, live in the Denver area, where Jake serves as an elder in their church. Jake and Ali have two children, and they love traveling, music, hiking, spending time with friends, and enjoying God’s creation in Colorado.

Go Series: Kristy Mikel

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 have the privilege to hear from Kristy Mikel. Kristy graduated from Bethel in 2005 and is currently serving as a missionary in Thailand. Originally from Nappanee, Indiana, Kristy has served with Outpour Family Foundation in Thailand since 2016. Outpour serves the people on the Thai/Myanmar border through educational trainings, social enterprises, community outreach, and restoring children and families.

Prior to moving to Thailand, Kristy spent over 16 years in ministry and has served in seventeen different nations through short-term and long-term missions. As she partnered with the discipleship efforts of the local church, discipled women in a red-light district in Kenya, and became a learner of new cultures, Kristy cultivated a heart for the nations and a passion for seeing that same heart cultivated in others.

Kristy recently authored A Place Called Braverly, a book that takes readers on a journey as it uncovers truths about the One who created each of His children to choose bravery in their everyday lives, dream bravely for His Kingdom, and spark bravery in the lives of others.

Braverly is a cafe and sewing center ministry under Outpour Family Foundation in Thailand; a space designed for empowering women to learn what it means to live and dream bravely, and influence bravery in those around them.

Legin

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 LEGIN, a preacher, spoken word and gospel hip hop artist, and podcaster who uses transparency to connect and art to communicate with his listeners.

He has produced and promoted tours throughout the United States and has performed in London, England; Nairobi, Kenya; and Pretoria and Cape Town, South Africa.  Through his label Renaissance Music, Legin has released multiple musical projects.

Through Expect Renaissance, his non-profit organization, he created the collaborative Safe House album with all proceeds going to help build a safe house in South Africa to protect children from sex trafficking. 

Legin recently launched the Fear Not Podcast encouraging listeners to go after their dreams and tackle tough things in the face of very real fears. It’s available on iTunes and YouTube.

A Hampton Roads, VA, native, Legin, his wife, Tia, and their two children attend CrossRoads Church in Norfolk, VA, where he preaches monthly.

MLK: Keegan Collier

Keegan is a student here at Bethel who is studying Christian Ministries. He is passionate about music, sports, community, and relationships. He is hoping to be able to use his studies and love for people and scripture to become a pastor and serve locally in South Bend, Indiana.

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