Vision Builders Spring 2015

VISIONBUILDERS FOR DONORS, FRIENDS, AND ALUMNI OF BETHEL SEMINARY SAN DIEGO

SPRING 2015

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bethel.edu/seminary

DEAN’S CORNER We’ve changed the name and look of the Bethel Southwest newsletter to bring you stories about students, alumni, and donors whom God is using as vision-builders. We want to share with you how your support of Bethel Seminary San Diego (BSSD) brings about the multiplying of ministry. Not only does BSSD equip men and women for the skills of ministry, but we’re a catalyst for inspiring vision.

REACHING CORPORATE EMPLOYEES In this issue you’ll read about Roy Inzunza, a Master of Arts in Ministry Practice (MAMP) student, and his role as a corporate chaplain for Hoehn Motors in San Diego. I visited his workplace and heard stories about the impact Roy is having on employees as he provides pastoral care to mainly unchurched people.

We hope to multiply Roy’s vision for ministry to other corporate offices through our chaplaincy concentration in the Master of Divinity program.

SOLAR PANELS WILL LEAD TO SCHOLARSHIPS Next month we will install solar panels on the roof of the seminary. Through the generosity of a donor, we will purchase the solar panels, and the savings that the panels will provide us will be put into scholarships for students in need. This is a wonderful example of a donor with great vision for training the next generation of leaders.

DENOMINATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS We’re also forming partnerships with several denominations that have separated from their mainline denominations over the issue of a loss of evangelical commitment. We see these alliances as part of our

vision—­helping these denominations remain true to biblical faith.

An Anglican Studies concentration is in place, and it’s connected with the new North American Anglican dioceses. We’re also Arnell Motz assumed the role of Dean in Feb. ’14, having served forging a partnership with BSSD since 2007. with a new Lutheran denomination, and a partnership with a third group is in process. I can’t help but think that Martin Luther would say:

“This is the kind of reformation I always wanted to be a part of!”

ONLINE LEARNING We’ve launched our long-distance learning program, which allows a student to earn a Master of Divinity or a Master of Arts in Ministry Practice degree while continuing in ministry around the world. It’s a hybrid delivery system using online or distance education courses for about 40% of the program coupled with on-campus intensives (one-week courses twice a year).

Our students come from New England, Texas, Ohio— the possibilities are endless.

That’s just the beginning. What’s so exciting is that our students and faculty are dreaming of possibilities.

That’s how vision starts. It is seeing a need and then asking, “If God were to bless us, what could we do?” So welcome to Bethel Seminary San Diego. When we help each other build a vision, the adventure of following Christ really begins.

—Arnell Motz

STUDENT Cares for Employees in the Workplace

ALUM’S LIGHT SHINES bright in Africa

Roy Inzunza S’16 works as a corporate chaplain he felt an overwhelming sense of grief for the hardships for Hoehn Motors in Carlsbad. The chief aim of the families face and also gratitude for the opportunity to BSSD chaplaincy program “is to provide personal preshelp.” ence and support from a spiritual/flourishing stance,” A CALLING AND A PRIVILEGE says Inzunza. Since many of the employees Roy works Like pastors, chaplains can find their work enorwith aren’t Christians, building relationships is at the mously taxing as they strive to care for others and still heart of his work: “Corporate chaplaincy requires a lot maintain personal boundaries. “It’s heavy work being of personal effort to initiate safe and trusting relationinvolved in human lives,” comments Roy. “It stretches ships,” he explains. “Most employees know me by now me to do my own soul work and make an honest assessand trust that I’m not there to push religion down their ment of my own personal beliefs and challenges.” And throats. They respect my Christian beliefs and they Roy—like most chaplains—sees the work as a passion, feel respected.” He advises that those considering the a calling, and a privilege. “I can’t wait until Monday chaplaincy “need to be comfortable in a non-Christian morning when work starts,” he says. “I can’t wait to setting and willing for their own beliefs to be shaken say prayers for the hurting, for those needing a breakand tested.”

through in their marriage, DEMONSTRATING for those asking for wisdom COMPASSION to lead and manage well.”

Roy takes advantage WELL PREPARED of natural opportunities AT BETHEL for connections with the Roy counts Bethel staff, such as celebrating Seminary San Diego with employees’ joys as well as preparing him to minister their losses. “It’s important to people in just about any to mourn with those who situation. “All the profesmourn and celebrate with sors have been so supportRoy Inzunza, corporate chaplain for Hoehn Motors, with a those rejoicing,” he says. ive. They’ve met with me to co-worker.

Another opportunity for hear my stories and strugconnection is service to others. Roy facilitates several gles, have prayed with me, and have championed this outreach programs—some that have been driven by work I’m doing. Obviously, the coursework has helped staff members—that benefit not only the recipients but me to see God, myself, and the Bible in a more robust also the Hoehn staff. He has seen God at work in many way. It has provided some measure of confidence to at of the employees during these times of giving. “Most least have something to share in the midst of questions, of the employees are not affiliated with a local church tension, or crisis. It might not be a final resolution to an or spiritual group,” he explains. “We talk about why it issue, but I can offer pastoral presence, empathy, and appeals to the human heart to be compassionate to our God’s faithfulness.” fellow brothers and sisters. Most say that a deep place And for Roy, his vocation is not just about the dayin their heart is touched in a way they can’t explain. I to-day. He has a vision for building the kingdom, includshare with them that in my Christian tradition, God has ing bi-vocational ministry for future church planters innately wired us to be loving and caring of others. We and the idea of ministers of local churches also serving are being fully human when we are compassionate.” As as corporate chaplains: “There is so much human interan example, he talks about one particular man: “one of action the local church can have access to if they enter my atheist ‘emplishioners’ (a term Roy uses to help deinto the workplace world,” he says. “I hope to be a part scribe how he relates to the employees) attended one of of this vision!” the Mexico trips and was in tears half the time. He said

Warlords. Rebel incursions. Child soldiers. The use of rape as a weapon of war. The news from the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is often negative, reminding the world of the troubled history of this region. But there’s also good news from Central Africa.

“God is at work, and the light of the Gospel shines brightly.”

—Phillip Howard S’11 Last December, Bethel Seminary San Diego alum Phillip Howard S’11 and his wife Barbara had the opportunity to witness the light of the Gospel. In association with Bethel Seminary San Diego and a Congo-based ministry partner, Un Jour Nouveau, the Howards led a two-week training conference in the city of Goma. A group of 30 pastors from remote villages in the region gathered for training, fellowship, encouragement, and renewal. They focused on exploring the nature of pastoral calling and transformational leadership, receiving training in basic principles of Bible interpretation and counseling. They also shared deep fellowship with individuals from other tribes and faith traditions.

“Our goal,” explains Howard, “was to gather church leaders who lack any real access to theological instruction and help them deepen their understanding of God’s calling upon their lives and the truths found in Scripture.” He shares, “We were amazed by the level of commitment they brought to the training and by their hunger to learn. A number of the attendees did not even own Bibles, and none had ever received any instruction concerning how to study and proclaim the Word of God with integrity.”

Esther Ntoto, founder of Un Jour Nouveau, calls the training a great success. She shared that the two weeks of training brought together 30 rural pastors from various denominations to learn together and break down walls of division.

They confessed that they didn’t know what exegesis was all about and they had never contextualized a text.

Some repented for teaching their congregations wrong interpretation of Scripture.

“We have seen men who usually don’t even get along or even speak to one another, through this training, sharing their experiences, laughing together and building lasting relationships.

It’s a miracle!”

—Phillip Howard S’11 This ministry is part of our vision, because it allows seminarians to use their education for the good of the global church and lets the church impact the vision of the seminarian. There are so many who need to experience this kind of training! Empowering alumni like Phil Howard is the core purpose of Bethel Seminary San Diego.

If you’d like more information about upcoming projects, contact Arnell Motz at a-motz@bethel.edu or 619.325.5227.

Interested in getting updates from Bethel Seminary San Diego by email? Give us a call at 619.325.5227 or visit bethel.edu/alumni/stay-connected/ update-info to make sure we have your email address.

6116 Arosa Street San Diego, California 92115

MDIV

40% PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS OF COLOR AT BSSD

755

ALUMNI TO DATE +42 TO GRADUATE IN 2015

212

BSSD ENROLLMENT (SPRING 2015)

672

TOTAL ENROLLMENT (SAN DIEGO, ST PAUL, INMINISTRY)

MATS

DMIN

65% 29% 22%

MFT

MAMP

OTHER

64% 15% 17%

PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS WHO RECEIVE SCHOLARSHIP ASSISTANCE

$200K

2014-2015 GOAL: BSSD ANNUAL FUND