Bethany College receives $140,000 to the Campus Chaplaincy Endowment

Bethany College, Lindsborg, KS, has received an anonymous $140,000 gift to the Campus Chaplaincy endowment, raising the fund to $440,000. The endowment, established in 1994, was originally funded by 64 individual congregations from the Central States Synod and the Arkansas/Oklahoma Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Churches of America (ELCA) who wished to help support a full-time Campus Pastor at Bethany College. This gift to the Campus Chaplaincy Endowment combined with the previously established Bentson Campus Pastor Endowment will grow the monies available to support a full-time position to $540,000.

 “I was delighted to receive the news that an anonymous donor has made a substantial gift to Bethany College to help fund the salary of a new full-time campus pastor. Campus ministry is an important component of the formation of strong, healthy leaders, attending to their spirituality and understanding of the world and our participation in it. I appreciate that Bethany College is committed to bringing a full-time campus pastor on board and are partnering with us as the Central States Synod of the ELCA in this endeavor. This is a blessing that benefits not only Bethany College but the whole church.” The Rev. Susan Candea, Bishop of the Central States Synod, ELCA.

The College recently announced its desire to reestablish a full-time Campus Pastor position after a seven-year series of interim pastors and a part-time pastor. By launching a nationwide search, Bethany College is excited to strengthen ties with the ELCA as their first college courses were held in 1881 in the sacristy of Bethany Lutheran Church in Lindsborg, KS.

"Over the next few weeks, a volunteer group of Bethany staff, faculty, and students will gather in conversation to form a shared vision for campus ministry as the college transitions back to having a full-time Campus Pastor. The results of these conversations will form the foundation of Bethany's Ministry Site Profile for the ELCA search process. Bethany's Ministry Site Profile will seek to outline a creative, inviting, and innovative vision for the future of campus ministry at Bethany." Chad Moore, Director of Path to Your Purpose, and vision committee volunteer. 

Contributions may be made at any time to the Campus Chaplaincy Endowment by contacting the Office of Advancement at Bethany College. 

Bethany College, established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881, is a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The mission of Bethany College is to educate, develop, and challenge individuals to reach for truth and excellence as they lead lives of faith, learning, and service. At Bethany, students join a community of dedicated educators and caring mentors who walk alongside them as they discover, explore, and navigate the path to their purpose. Bethany College is online at bethanylb.edu and is located in Lindsborg, Kansas, the fine arts and crafts capital of the state.