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VISIONBUILDERS FOR DONORS, FRIENDS, AND ALUMNI OF BETHEL SEMINARY SAN DIEGO FALL 2017
| bethel.edu/seminary
40 YEARS OF LEADERSHIP PREPARATION The History of Bethel Seminary San Diego by Jamie Strauss
Purpose. Passion. Equipping. These words have shaped Bethel Seminary San Diego from the day the doors first opened. Since its humble beginnings in 1977, the mission and purpose of the seminary has been to raise up leaders who are difference-makers, equipped to make a lasting impact in the world and faithfully serve wherever they are called. The Beginning The Bethel Seminary San Diego we know today began when Bethel Theological Seminary in St. Paul decided to launch a campus in southern California. Pastoral leadership at College Avenue Baptist Church had expressed a need for a San Diego location, and an agreement was worked out with the church. The agreement called for the launch of an accredited extension program for pastors and Christian leaders. Originally called Bethel Seminary West, the program began in 1977 with 17 credit and 8 non-credit students. For 14 years, the seminary met in the church’s facilities and looked forward to a bright future, full of potential.
ministry. Each leader has demonstrated this desire in their own unique way during their time at Bethel. In 1978, Clifford Anderson became Bethel Seminary’s first dean. Within two years, enrollment jumped from 68 to 93 students. Anderson built a strong core of faculty and administrators, and Bethel celebrated its first commencement in 1980 with a total of three graduates. In 1981, after several years of growth, a group was formed to discuss the future of the campus, and a new vision was approved. To accommodate growth, the seminary needed more space, so a campaign led by David Price was launched called A Time to Build. In 1988, construction began on a new building, and on February 25, 1990, the project was completed. The new seminary, built across the street from the church, included a chapel, library, classrooms, —40 Years continued on page 2
Growth and Change Bethel Seminary has been shaped by the passion of its past and present leaders, fueled by their desire to advance the gospel of Jesus Christ by preparing leaders for —1—
VISIONBUILDERS —40 Years continued from page 1
Seminary work was structured into “three centers,” orienting students to an integration of biblical and theological studies, personal and spiritual formation, and leadership enrichment for maximum effectiveness in ministry. In the same year, the new and innovative Marital and Family Therapy program was introduced to prepare students seeking to become licensed counselors. Enrollment grew to about 200 students. In 2000, Voth resigned to work with United Bible Societies in Latin America and John Lillis was recruited to be dean of the San Diego campus. Lillis brought 19 years of experience in faculty and administrative positions along with significant time spent on the mission field, and was a creative and innovative entrepreneur of new programs. Faculty, too, took on some added roles. Glen Scorgie and Ben Lim regularly visited and taught in Asia. Mark Strauss—and later Jeannine Brown—joined the NIV translation committee. In 2014, Arnell Motz became dean and executive officer. With a background of 25 years as a mission leader and educator he brought a strong missional vision and a focus on ethnic ministries, leading teams on mission trips to places like Uganda and the Dominican Republic, giving students a vision for cross-cultural ministries. Another important development in the current era has been the recent launch of a Hispanic studies program. With leadership from Domingo Cabrera, College Avenue Baptist Church, and BSSD alum Sam Alatorre as director, the program is currently serving about 70 non-credit students with a quality theological education in Spanish. This aligns with the seminary’s vision to
lounges, and offices. There was even a communications center. That same year 106 students enrolled. In 1995, Anderson retired, marking the end of an era. Enrollment had grown to 134 students. That same year, under the leadership of Executive Vice President and Dean Leland Eliason, the seminary adopted a new vision statement. It began, “The passion of Bethel Seminary is to advance the gospel of Jesus Christ among all people in culturally sensitive ways....” Steven Voth’s arrival in 1996 appropriately symbolized Bethel’s new vision statement. The institution’s desire for a school that would equip students with the right preparation for a diverse world was key to this new era. Voth focused on the meaning of ministry in an ethnically diverse world. He believed that for an institution to thrive, there must not only be a deep knowledge of the gospel but also a determination to connect it to real life with a respect and understanding of other cultures. The seminary’s growth continued and in 1997, under the leadership of Provost Eliason, a five-year plan was set out for the future of Bethel, which included the changes needed to guarantee the best kind of growth for the seminary.
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VISIONBUILDERS “shape and change the world through leadership in the church and throughout society.” A Promising Future As the largest accredited theological graduate school in San Diego region, the seminary has awarded degrees to more than 900 students. It has been a teamwork of accomplished staff, innovative programs, and strategic alliances in a community of ethnic diversity and enormous spiritual need. We are celebrating 40 incredible years, and it is just the beginning for Bethel Seminary. God is working in amazing ways and we are blessed to be His hands and feet in the process. We are grateful for the continuous love and support received through the years. Bethel would not be the seminary it is today without the generous hearts and supportive community surrounding it. It has been a partnership of purpose, passion, and equipping. •
“David and I have been blessed to be able to contribute to the development and growth of Bethel Seminary San Diego. My husband’s passion for this institution was truly amazing and to see it grow and prosper and make such an impact in the community and beyond was very gratifying to him. He had great respect for the astute leadership demonstrated throughout the years and unending praise for its excellent faculty and staff. How he would have loved to be here to celebrate 40 years for this fine Christian seminary.” —Mary Ann Price
PURPOSE Passion
EQUIPPING —3—
VISIONBUILDERS | SPECIAL INSERT
What Bethel Seminary San Diego Means to Me Wendy Patrick ’09, M.Div.
Todd Molter ’10, MATL
I am: a deputy district attorney in the Special Operations Division of the San Diego District Attorney´s Office. Although I have been a prosecutor for 22 years, my Bethel experience brought new perspective and breathed new life into my profession, which both enabled and inspired me to view my work as a ministry to the community I protect and serve.
I am: serving as teaching pastor at Legacy Church, one church with two locations in La Mesa and Tierrasanta. I’ve been there for six years. Bethel is: the place that believed in me, educated me, and encouraged me. Bethel is also the place that challenged me intellectually, grew me spiritually, and blessed me relationally. I am so very grateful for the role Bethel has played in my life and ministry.
Bethel is: a place to spiritually recharge, and a place to encourage and inspire each other to use our individual gifts within our personal spheres of influence, and collectively in community. Bethel has been and continues to be a special place to me, a place of refuge from which to draw strength and encouragement from Christian brothers and sisters, students and faculty alike.
Assad Saif ’11, M.Div. I am: the lead pastor at Orchard Community Church in Escondido. Orchard is a four-year-old church plant. I’m privileged to serve alongside Bethel alumni there.
Ralph Kucera ’11, MATS
Bethel is: a place where I learned to navigate difficult discussions with profound theological insight. I can say that because of the incredible staff, faculty, and student body Bethel Seminary offered, I’m a firm believer in community, and Bethel’s community is part of the student’s journey toward theological transformation.
I am: currently preaching and teaching at various churches in Seattle, the U.S., and abroad. My pastoral care ministry at this time centers around building bridges of lovingkindness to the LGBTQ, homeless, and Muslim communities. Bethel is: where I chose graduate studies, later in my life and ministry, because of its gracious, exemplary faculty, staff, and student community!
Denise Ehret ’12, MAMFT I am: a licensed marital and family therapist and I enjoy working full time at Reinicke Counseling Associates doing therapy with couples and individuals.
Marilyn Williams ’13, M.Div.
Bethel is: where the desires of my heart met with practical training and spiritual inspiration so that my dreams to be a licensed marriage and family therapist were able to come to fruition.
I am: serving at Chapel in the Pines Community Covenant Church in Arnold, California, as associate pastor. I was ordained into Word and Sacrament with the Evangelical Covenant Church. Because of Bethel Seminary, I get to serve God’s kingdom in the way I am designed and called!
Buzz Curtis MATS’80
(first graduating class of 3) I am: serving in Thailand with my wife Ruth as OMF International missionaries. We are personnel managers, pastoring and encouraging missionaries and having a ministry of prayer counseling and leadership development.
Bethel is: a community of Christ-followers who are committed to building God’s kingdom in truth, integrity, freedom, and support. Bethel provides students with all the support they need to follow God’s call and to become more dedicated and focused servants of Christ’s mission. I am forever shaped for God’s kingdom work from my time at Bethel Seminary.
Bethel is: this wonderful place that encouraged us to be world-changers. One third of my graduating class went into missions. —4—
VISIONBUILDERS | SPECIAL INSERT Matt Hammett ’00, M.Div.
Diane Kettlewell ’08, M.Div.
I am: the lead pastor of Flood Church in San Diego and Encinitas California, a movement of hope and healing.
I am: working mostly as a solo hospice chaplain traveling throughout San Diego County. Bethel prepared me well for this experience. I am ordained at Rise City Church, a non-denominational new church plant that meets in Lakeside, California. I work at Rise as a volunteer in their pastoral care, teaching, worship, and women’s ministries. It is exciting to see and be a small part of all God is doing.
Bethel is: a learning community committed to equipping leaders for kingdom work. God has used Bethel Seminary San Diego to play a significant role in shaping my own heart and mind for fruitful gospel ministry. The majority of my pastoral staff earned their degrees at Bethel.
Bethel is: truly wonderful. While I found the learning curve to be remarkably steep, the staff and faculty were very supportive and greatly encouraged me when I needed it most. Coming from Swedish Baptist roots, I was surprised and delighted to find Bethel’s ethos both solidly grounded in evangelical theology and warmly accepting of students of both genders. As a woman, this was very important to me.
Walter Colace ’16, MATS I am: the senior pastor of Christ Community Church in El Centro, California. Also, I serve as the founding/ executive director of New Creations ministry, a Christ-centered rehabilitation program for those with life-controlling problems.
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Bethel is: the tool that God used to better equip me for pastoral and teaching ministry. What I learned at Bethel has been invaluable and is taught from our pulpit on a weekly basis.
DEAN’S CORNER Remembering our history plays an important role in shaping who we are. In my lifetime, I have tried to learn more about my roots—the hardships my grandfather endured as he brought his family from Romania under cover of night to immigrate to Canada. I cherish the memory of him reading his German Bible after breakfast, then everyone getting down on our knees and praying around the table. Memories like these shaped my life. I see God doing that throughout Scripture— telling Israel of His past faithfulness so that they would move forward with greater commitment to him. As a seminary, we get to celebrate 40 years of God’s leading and providing that has brought us to where we are today. Our 40th Anniversary Celebration will begin with a banquet on Friday, September 29. At the
banquet we’ll honor Cliff Anderson, our founding dean, tell our 40-year story through pictures, and be challenged by Leland Eliason, past seminary provost who helped shaped our direction. A reunion event featuring a family festival will take place on Saturday, September 30. We’ll cap off the celebration weekend with “Bethel Sunday” held in partner churches—all to remind us of God’s faithfulness over the years. Thomas Jefferson said, “I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.” We want to remember God’s faithfulness to Bethel Seminary San Diego, but we also want to dream for the future. We face many challenges of a changing cultural landscape. We want to be a seminary that prepares leaders to navigate those challenges with a growing confidence in God’s faithfulness and courage for our future. That is our invitation to you—to join us in celebrating our past and dreaming of our future. Arnell Motz, Dean & Executive Officer —5—
THANK YOU
The Bethel Fund bridges the gap between a student’s cost of education and what that student actually pays. To thank you for a gift of any amount, we’ll send you one of these books by our faculty:
6116 Arosa Street San Diego, California 92115
Jesus Behaving Badly Mark Strauss
A Little Guide to Christian Spirituality Glen Scorgie
More Than a Promise Arnell Motz
BETHEL SEMINARY SAN DIEGO 40TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION SEPTEMBER 29–OCTOBER 1
Friday, September 29 Estate Planning Seminar | 10 a.m.–2:15 p.m. | Seminary Chapel Celebration Banquet | 6:30 p.m. | Hilton Mission Valley • Music by Chris Cho and Wendy Patrick • Video of Bethel Seminary San Diego’s 40-year history • Panel with former deans Cliff Anderson, Steve Voth, and John Lillis • Alumni testimonies • Guest speaker: Leland Eliason, former Bethel Seminary provost Friday events have a registration fee. Saturday, September 30 Breakfast | 9 a.m. | Seminary Chapel Telling the Bethel Seminary San Diego Story | 9:45 a.m. | Seminary Chapel Family Fair | 10:30 a.m.–1 p.m. | College Avenue Baptist Church BBQ with activities for all ages. Free and family friendly.
If you are not able to attend the celebration events live streaming will be provided for the banquet program and Saturday morning program. Go to: facebook.com/ bethelsandiego
Sunday, October 1 Stephanie Fedor Bethel Sunday | Various Churches Partner churches will join in the 40th anniversary celebration with guest speakers from Bethel Seminary. Visit bethel.edu/events/bssd-anniversary for more information and registration.