April 2007

Bethany Adds Outdoor Ministry Studies

Bethany College has added a concentration in Outdoor Ministry as a part of its Christian Ministry major which will prepare students for camp and retreat ministries. Students concentrating in Outdoor Christian Ministries will take courses in a wide variety of areas, including religion, social work and teacher education. The curricula are modeled on the Evangelical Church in America (ELCA) Professional Standards Program for Outdoor Ministries.

“The program directly challenges students to learn how to intellectually, morally and spiritually commit to a life of service within the context of the Christian faith,” said David Norlin, associate professor of social work and the major coordinator. “In particular, camping ministries vitalize youth and propel their involvement in the church. A high percent of pastors report that a significant camping experience was part of a student’s discerning a call to service,” he said.

Bethany Junior Takes Organ Honors

Bethany College junior Joshua Lindgren won second place in the Twin Cities (Minn.) Chapter of the American Guild of Organists’ competition for young artists. He was chosen from among contestants from around the country. Each contestant performed 30-40 minutes of music. Lindgren performed Prelude and Fugue in E-flat major by Johann Sebastian Bach; Le jardin suspendu by Jehan Alain; and Toccata by Louis Vierne. As part of the competition he was also required to play a hymn. Lindgren is an organ major, and his instructor at Bethany College is Melody Steed, assistant professor of music. 

 Bethany Graduates Off to Seminaries--

Five Bethany graduates will begin studies at seminaries in the fall. They are:

 Leslie Mordecai, a 1985 graduate, who lives in Lindsborg, Kan.  She will attend Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn.  She has worked at Bethany College in the admissions department and for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

 Emma Crossen, a 2004 graduate, who is originally from Terre Haute, Ind.  She will attend Harvard Divinity School in Cambridge, Mass.  Since graduation, Crossen has worked in India with ELCA Global Missions.

 Ben Fulton, a 2006 graduate from Wichita, Kan., who will attend Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa.  Fulton has spent the last year working as the coordinator of congregational relations for Nebraska Lutheran Outdoor Ministries.

 Katy Harder, a 2006 graduate from Wichita, Kan, who will attend the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago.  Harder has spent the last year working in Slovakia with ELCA Global Missions.

 Jill Klaassen, a 2006 graduate from Marquette, Kan., who will attend the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh, Pa. 

 “More and more our students work or do missions for a year before they go to seminary,” said Noni Strand, campus pastor. “I think this is great preparation.”

 Baccalaureate and Commencement

Charlotte Strecker-Baseler, pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Oberlin, Kan., will preach at Bethany’s baccalaureate on Sunday, May 20, at 10:30 a.m. in Presser Hall. John Carlin, former governor of Kansas and former U.S. archivist, will speak at commencement that afternoon at 3 p.m. in Presser Hall.

 For more church relations dates, or a full calendar of Bethany College events, go to the Bethany College Web site, www.bethanylb.edu.

 Questions? Need more information or materials?  Contact Michele Clark at (785) 227-3311, ext. 8274.