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The Path to Your Purpose
Bethany College to host Bishop Rinehart
Mar 21, 2019
LINDSBORG, KAN., MAR. 20, 2019—Rev. Bishop Michael Rinehart, Bishop of the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), is scheduled to visit Bethany College on Wednesday, March 27, and Thursday, March 28. As a part of the college’s five-year strategic plan, Bethany, Arise!, the college is regularly hosting ELCA bishops and pastors on campus.
The Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is a community of over one hundred congregations, campus ministries, retreat centers, and church-related agencies.
“Bethany is committed to offering an education of the mind and the heart. Connecting with church leaders provides our students with tremendous opportunities to think about and discuss some of life’s most important questions. We are grateful for Bishop Rinehart’s investment of time and talent,” said President Will Jones.
Bishop Rinehart received a Bachelor of Music in organ performance from Valparaiso University, a Lutheran university in northern Indiana. He also holds a Masters of Divinity from Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, Ohio. Before being elected Bishop of the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod in 2007, he served as Associate Pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Davenport, Iowa, and pastor of Christ Lutheran Church, Charlotte, North Carolina and Grace Lutheran Church, Conroe, Texas.
Currently he serves as a member of the Texas Lutheran University Corporation Board and the Houston, Texas Coalition for Immigration Reform Board. Presently he is serving as the chair of the Board of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service. Bishop Rinehart lives in Montgomery, Texas with his wife Susan and their children John and Yuliana.
The Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) serves as a witness to God’s love for all people. As such they stand with and advocate for migrants and refugees. Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service promotes the best interests of all refugee and migrant children in the United States by ensuring that federal legislation and policies protect the right to due process and welfare of these vulnerable youth. LIRS reflects American Lutherans’ deep immigrant roots and passionate commitment to welcoming newcomers, especially those who are most in need. communities.
Bishop Rinehart’s visit demonstrates Bethany College’s commitment to strengthening its relationship with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America by inviting synodical bishops and other church leaders to the Bethany College campus throughout the year. Bishop Rinehart’s visit will provide an opportunity for him to interact with students, staff, and faculty. Plans for his stay include attending chapel on Wednesday, March 27th, dialoguing with students during classes, meeting with President Will Jones, and a luncheon discussion with area pastors. On Wednesday evening March 27th Rev. Rinehart will preach at the 7:00 p.m. Lenten service at Messiah Lutheran Church in Lindsborg. The public is welcome to attend.
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. Bethany connects its past, present, and future with distinctive initiatives like Swedes to Sweden, a free service-learning trip for the sophomore class to Sweden, and the Good Life Scholarship, presenting all local high school graduates with a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to the college. Bethany College is on the Web at www.bethanylb.edu and is located in Lindsborg, Kansas, the fine arts and crafts capital of the state.
The Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is a community of over one hundred congregations, campus ministries, retreat centers, and church-related agencies.
“Bethany is committed to offering an education of the mind and the heart. Connecting with church leaders provides our students with tremendous opportunities to think about and discuss some of life’s most important questions. We are grateful for Bishop Rinehart’s investment of time and talent,” said President Will Jones.
Bishop Rinehart received a Bachelor of Music in organ performance from Valparaiso University, a Lutheran university in northern Indiana. He also holds a Masters of Divinity from Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, Ohio. Before being elected Bishop of the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod in 2007, he served as Associate Pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Davenport, Iowa, and pastor of Christ Lutheran Church, Charlotte, North Carolina and Grace Lutheran Church, Conroe, Texas.
Currently he serves as a member of the Texas Lutheran University Corporation Board and the Houston, Texas Coalition for Immigration Reform Board. Presently he is serving as the chair of the Board of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service. Bishop Rinehart lives in Montgomery, Texas with his wife Susan and their children John and Yuliana.
The Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) serves as a witness to God’s love for all people. As such they stand with and advocate for migrants and refugees. Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service promotes the best interests of all refugee and migrant children in the United States by ensuring that federal legislation and policies protect the right to due process and welfare of these vulnerable youth. LIRS reflects American Lutherans’ deep immigrant roots and passionate commitment to welcoming newcomers, especially those who are most in need. communities.
Bishop Rinehart’s visit demonstrates Bethany College’s commitment to strengthening its relationship with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America by inviting synodical bishops and other church leaders to the Bethany College campus throughout the year. Bishop Rinehart’s visit will provide an opportunity for him to interact with students, staff, and faculty. Plans for his stay include attending chapel on Wednesday, March 27th, dialoguing with students during classes, meeting with President Will Jones, and a luncheon discussion with area pastors. On Wednesday evening March 27th Rev. Rinehart will preach at the 7:00 p.m. Lenten service at Messiah Lutheran Church in Lindsborg. The public is welcome to attend.
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. Bethany connects its past, present, and future with distinctive initiatives like Swedes to Sweden, a free service-learning trip for the sophomore class to Sweden, and the Good Life Scholarship, presenting all local high school graduates with a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to the college. Bethany College is on the Web at www.bethanylb.edu and is located in Lindsborg, Kansas, the fine arts and crafts capital of the state.
Bethany College conferred degrees upon 99 students in Presser Hall Auditorium on April 27, 2024. The ceremony honored students who earned Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, and Bachelor of Music Education from the college during the 2023-2024 academic year. Summer, fall, and spring graduates were honored during a Baccalaureate worship service at 10:30 a.m. in Presser Hall, followed by Commencement at 2 p.m. Campus Pastor Melissa Woeppel led the Baccalaureate Service, and Rev. Lamont Wells, Executive Director of the Network of Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and Co llege and Universities (NECU). Gracelyn Gaskill '24, a chemistry and music major from Lindsborg, Kansas, provided special music for Commencement. Senior class speakers Inioluwa "Enoch" Ojo '24, a biology major from Katy, Texas, and Benjamin "Ben" Turner '24, a History and Political Science Major from Peyton, Colorado, gave thoughtful remarks on their time at Bethany College, taking time to thank their friends, faculty, and coaches. Dr. Brent Mai '85, Dean of University Libraries at Wichita State University, gave the commencement address, encouraging this year's graduates to go out into the world and exercise the four tenets of stoicism: wisdom, courage, temperance, and justice.
Interim President Steve Eckman commended the efforts of the faculty and staff in securing the grant, stating, "We are immensely grateful to the McPherson County Community Foundation for their incredible generosity. This grant will benefit our students and enrich the educational experiences available in the Smoky Valley community."
The newly appointed Presidential Search Committee will commence their work immediately, aiming to recommend a candidate for Bethany College's 16th president to the board by the April 2025 board meeting.