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.

RESET : The Church (Pastor Stephen Love)

Stephen Love is pastor of Redemption City in South Bend. He was born in South Bend, where he came to know his Savior Jesus Christ as a young boy.

He accepted the call to preach the gospel in 2002 and served the body of Christ at New Life Fellowship Church in Waukegan, IL as Assistant Pastor. In 2019, Stephen and his family accepted the call to plant Redemption City Church in South Bend.

Stephen has a degrees in Pastoral and Theological Studies. He and his wife, Mandy, have been married for over decade and have four children.

RESET : Relationship With God (Jeff Getz)

Jeff serves as founding director of the Immerge Network which provides coaching and training to young leaders serving in immigrant communities.  He has been a regional director, a lead pastor, and a church multiplication coordinator for the Missionary Church. He also was Director of Strategic Partnerships for Food for the Hungry, an international relief organization.  

Jeff and his wife Christina and three daughters moved to New York City in 2007 to live on mission for the good of the city.  Jeff is a proud father to three girls. His daughter Kendra graduated from Bethel last spring with a degree in nursing.

Go2BU : Theo Williams

Reverend, Dr. Theo Williams is an Associate Professor of Communications at Bethel University, where he has taught for two decades. He has a master’s degree in Urban Ministry from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, and a PhD in communication from Regent University. He and his wife Nicole have been married for 20 years and have ministered together locally, nationally and overseas. He is currently serving as the pastor at Covenant Community Church in South Bend. Theo has a heart and passion for young people, marriages, racial reconciliation and social justice.

Ignite : Geoff Eckart Thursday

This week is our annual IGNITE Series, a Spiritual Emphasis Week when we’re asking God to light a spiritual flame in each of us; one that will move us to know Him more fully, follow him more deeply, and reflect him more brightly.

Our guest speaker is Geoff Eckart, Lead Pastor at Daybreak Church in Grand Rapids. Geoff is also the Founder and CEO of Never the Same, a national youth ministry organization that aims to see new generations transformed in Christ through biblical discipleship and spiritual disciplines using theology, community, and technology.

Geoff was born and raised in Indianapolis, earned a Bachelor’s degree from Indiana Wesleyan University and a Master’s degree from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary.

He’s an adventurist, an amateur land sailer, mountain biker, marathon runner, kayaker, and he’s hiked the elusive Isle Royale National Park, bungee jumped in New Zealand and been skydiving.

In 2020, Geoff took a several hundred mile prayer walk on the Trail of Death from Indiana to Kansas.

He is married to Arianna and together they have three daughters.

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