BethelTapestry The multicultural fabric of Bethel University
Issue 22 • Spring 2012
Bethel Participates in White House Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge
B
ethel University President Jay Barnes and faculty members Sara Shady and Marion Larson traveled to Washington, D.C., to help the White House kick off President Barack Obama’s Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge. Bethel is one of more than 250 colleges, universities, and seminaries that have submitted plans to the White House for continued on page 2
Left to right: Faculty members Sara Shady and Marion Larson, with Bethel President Jay Barnes, outside of the Old Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C.
continued from page 1
yearlong interfaith service projects. Bethel’s service initiative aims to build on the university’s existing efforts, including the institutional emphasis on reconciliation, Bethel’s presence in the Frogtown/ Summit-University (FSU) neighborhood, Interreligious Symposium sessions, and participation in the St. Paul Interfaith Network. Student leaders will work with FSU community members from Mosaic Church and the Da’wah Institute on a variety of service projects aiming to increase the understanding and sense of community between Christians and Muslims. “We wanted to take existing efforts at Bethel and work to bring these together in meaningful ways,” explains Professor of English Marion Larson. “We decided to focus on working with the Da’wah Institute, a Muslim community in Frogtown, because finding ways to forge understanding and a sense of community between Christians and Muslims seems particularly crucial in light of world events and the recent 10th anniversary of 9/11.” Bethel’s student leaders for the President’s Challenge have regular mentor meetings with community leaders and Bethel leadership, as well as additional opportunities to experience positive interfaith interactions through on-campus programs. The President’s Challenge Team from Bethel is assessing the effectiveness of these initiatives and will submit a proposal for possible presentation at the 2012 National Faith, Justice, and Civic Learning Conference. 2
Tapestry • Spring 2012
“It is vitally important that we educate our students for constructive citizenship in a religiously diverse society, and that we as Americans learn to navigate our religious diversity,” says Sara Shady, associate professor of philosophy and director of Bethel’s Honors Program. “We need to work to challenge the misperceptions and stereotypes that fuel hatred and violence and prevent persons of different faith traditions from working together to address the social problems facing us today. This is clearly in-line with our institutional values of being world-changers and reconcilers.” The kickoff event in Washington, D.C., included addresses from administration officials, discussions of the vision for the President’s Challenge, discussions of how to encourage service as a solution to community issues, and rollout of next steps in implementing the challenge initiatives, as well as conversations about campus and community partnerships, student leadership and development, and much more. “Seeing several hundred representatives from participating campuses helped me feel like we really might be able to build bridges and foster both service and understanding between people of different faiths,” says Larson. Members of the President’s Challenge Team from Bethel include Larson, Shady, Amy Poppinga (History), Curtiss DeYoung (Reconciliation Studies), Leon Rodrigues (Chief Diversity Officer), Tanden Brekke (Campus Ministries), and Shawn Moore (Bethel alumnus and pastor of St. Paul Mosaic Community Church). BT
Truth or Dare? How About Both? by Samantha Allgood ’12 Student leaders are trained in effective strategies to understand and combat the sting of racism through the Dare 2 Be Real initiative.
L
eaves crunch in the darkness as the echo of patrol dogs causes quiet fear. The group quickens their pace, choosing a careful route, following the moonlight through a lowland swamp. Three hours later, the Bethel students retreat to comfort and safety, though their ancestors could not. The road to freedom—the Underground Railroad—was costly, they realize. The Dare 2 Be Real initiative, the brainchild of former Associate Dean for Inter-Cultural Programs and Services Edwinna Johnson, gives students a true presentation of the history and issues regarding racism. As students participate in challenging dialogues and activities, such as the Underground Railroad simulation, they gain insights and strategies to combat their fears and misunderstandings. The purpose of the program, which was implemented at Bethel in fall 2010, is to “empower young people as culturally responsive leaders,” Johnson says. Students are encouraged to develop their own cultural and racial identities while focusing on aspects of reconciliation and social justice. Junior social work major Latisha
Rivers explains what she has learned: “Man created racism. Even today in our society we separate ourselves based on groups of interest.” Rivers realizes it is something that must actively be dealt with. “We all have prejudiced attitudes toward other people, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that we’re racist,” she says. “It’s about learning to look at people individually instead of propagating stereotypes.” Topics of discussion have centered on social justice, the historical context of race and identity development, and the importance of working together in the reconciliation mission. “Students have learned to partner and appreciate each other regardless of their backgrounds,” Johnson says. “It’s not about going with the flow or what you are comfortable with,” says Rivers. “It’s about making an effort to reach out.” “I have seen God’s affirming peace— the diminishment of fear and the increase of peace among the student participants as a result of having tools to dialogue about race,” Johnson concludes. BT
Bethel University
3
Bethel King CDC Awarded United Way Grant
T
hrough a for children, and to highly comempower parents petitive process, with educational the Greater Twin and social tools Cities United Way and resources for awarded the Bethel success. The King University King Center will partner Family Foundation with Mt. Olivet Child Development Baptist Church as a Center a $225,000 host for educational Two members of a recent King Family Foundation Child Development Education-Access meetings for King Center class grant. This program Center parents as is designed to ensure well as parents in the that at-risk children are fully prepared for broader community. kindergarten. “The United Way funding is a wonder“We are confident that the organizaful and much-deserved affirmation of tions receiving funding through this open the work of King Center Director Talaya and very competitive process represent Tolefree and the King Center teachers as the highest quality programs serving our they minister to children and families in community’s youth,” notes Catherine R. the Frogtown neighborhood,” says Robin Jirik, United Way’s director of community Hasslen, director of Bethel’s Early Childimpact management and operations. hood Program. The grant, $75,000 each year for three “We are so grateful for this award years, will underwrite EMPOWER, a King from the United Way, which expands our Center Early Learning Initiative designed opportunities for ministry to parents by to assure continuity in education and care
continued on page 5
Out of School Time The King Center will open its first Out of School Time program for older children in a newly remodeled addition of its location in the Frogtown area of St. Paul. The new program comes in addition to the already existing toddler and preschool programs. The Out of School
4
Tapestry • Spring 2012
Time program is set to begin on June 11, 2012, as the school year concludes, and will be available to kids kindergarten through grade six to enrich their summer learning. Visit bethel.edu/cdc/king or call the King Center at 651.635.8553 for more information on any of their educational programs.
Bethel Junior Chosen as Student of the Decade by Samantha Allgood ’12
B
ethel junior social work major Dwayne Nabors was recognized as Student of the Decade by the White Bear Lake, Minn., school district last fall. As one of 10 selected graduates representing various decades, Nabors was honored for his service and commitment to the school district and community. Nabors, who graduated from White Bear Lake High School in 2009, continues to stay active in the White Bear Lake district through his participation in multiple programs, including his involvement in afterschool intramurals. He volunteers numerous times each week with middle school students who meet for afterschool games and activities. “Dwayne will continue to make a difference in the community,” says Associate
continued from page 4
providing additional parent education and expanding our community resources,” says Tolefree. The King Center provides children from the Frogtown/Summit-University community in St. Paul, Minn., with quality, Christ-centered care and education, while
Dwayne Nabors, a Bethel junior, was recognized by the White Bear Lake, Minn., school district as Student of the Decade.
Professor of Social Work Sande Traudt. “He is genuine in his relationships and responsible to his commitments in the classroom and in the community. His positive attitude seems to lead him to discover good in people and situations. It seems to me that Dwayne is all about planting seeds of hope and possibility.” The recognition “shows that hard work pays off,” Nabors reflects. “It inspires me to keep going.” BT
simultaneously providing Bethel education students with experiential learning that is community-based, enhancing their ability to be strong, culturally responsive teachers. The center is nationally accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and has a 4-star Parent Aware rating, the highest rating available. BT Bethel University
5
New Director of Disability Services Brings Passion and Compassion by Abby Stocker ’14
N
atalie Beazer is in the business of building bridges. Not literal bridges, but the sort that connect people experiencing challenging disabilities with the world around them. However challenging the job, it’s a position that excites Beazer, who began work as Bethel’s director of disability services at the start of the 2011-12 school year. “This is something that has always been an interest,” explains Beazer. “The Lord put it on my heart at a young age.” Growing up in Antigua in the Caribbean, Beazer was able to see firsthand the lack of resources for deaf children and adults as well as people with other disabilities. She further pursued her interest while doing undergraduate work at North Central University and then at the University of Minnesota, where she graduated with a master’s degree in educational psychology with a hard-of-hearing emphasis in 2009. Wanting to return to the Caribbean, Beazer traveled to Antigua on a hearing mission while working for Global Deaf Connection, a nonprofit organization that provides scholarships for special education teachers and interpreters in developing countries. “We tested anyone who thought they had a hearing loss. The foundation 6
Tapestry • Spring 2012
provided hearing aids,” says Beazer. She also describes the frustrating lack of governmental policy establishing resources for citizens with disabilities there. Beazer is currently a doctoral student studying leadership, policy, and administration. It’s the next logical step for the woman whose passion is helping others around her. “Coming from a third-world country really gives me a unique view of persons with disabilities. Because of my experience, I saw that so many people are not getting access to resources,” she says. “We often look internally and see the struggles that we face. We need to look out in the world and see others with disabilities...I bring that perspective.” She notes the high number of people with disabilities who don’t have the opportunity to get a good education. Before coming to Bethel, Beazer worked at Communication Services for the Deaf, helping deaf immigrants in the Twin Cities adjust to American culture, learn English, and gain a job or an education. “Many think that college is something they can’t even attain,” she says. After seeing the opening at Bethel, she jumped at the chance to help people with disabilities adapt to college life. It’s a learning process,
one that involves a lot of advocacy and awareness, but Beazer is excited to help students and employees gain access to all areas of life at Bethel. The challenge and opportunity, for her, is the variety of disabilities that she comes across. Everything is individualized, with Beazer and her staff developing a program for each person who registers with their office. Any modification or adjustment to build bridges between disabled Bethel community members and others is explored with the faculty and staff involved in the person’s life. Beazer also gives presentations for faculty, informing them about various disabilities and raising awareness among staff. Beazer’s primary goals include ensuring that Bethel’s disability services is high quality and supporting students in their quest and ability to fulfill God’s call on their lives. “I want to stretch myself and them so that they can accomplish those
things,” she says. Beazer continues, “I am so thrilled to be here. I am glad for the opportunity to be with fellow believers, to be in this environment. I think the Lord brought me here for this time, this season, and I am looking forward to seeing where He leads.” BT
Bethel University
7
Bethel Art Alum’s Work
on Exhibit in NYC by Heather Schnese
A
fter 15 years in prison, Rico Gatson’s brother and he reconnected—taking a long, emotional walk around the block. The experience spawned “Three Trips Around the Block”—a survey of Gatson’s art now being highlighted as a 15-year retrospective of his work at Exit Art, an interdisciplinary cultural center in New York City. Featuring Gatson’s sculpture, painting, video, drawings, and installations, the survey creatively explores the very different lives he and his brother led. “It’s an opportunity to look back and examine a body of work and to connect the dots, so to speak,” says Gatson. “I hope that the viewer is made aware of a clarity of thought and experiences the breadth of work.” Gatson ’89, who majored in art at Bethel, went on to receive his Master’s of Fine Art degree at Yale University before becoming a New York City artist, now represented by the Ronald Feldman Gallery. Born in Augusta, Ga., and raised
in Riverside, Calif., Gatson has created a body of work that explores the symbols and images from popular culture and mass media, and challenges issues of identity and racial intolerance. Gatson also serves on the advisory board for Bethel’s New York Center for Art & Media Studies. “Rico stands as a great role model for our current students, demonstrating that if a young artist wants to pursue a career in the arts, they can succeed if they push hard, develop their ability, and are self-motivated,” says Wayne Roosa, chair of Bethel’s art department. Gatson says he doesn’t think much about how faith, art, and culture intertwine in his work—they just naturally do: “My experience at Bethel shaped the person/artist I am greatly in that I began to think about how I might integrate identity into the work, especially from a racial and spiritual stand point.” BT
Bethel Art Alumnus and NYC Artist Rico Gatson ‘89, Fire Painting #3, 2006 8
Tapestry • Spring 2012
Omesa Crowned Miss Africa Minnesota by Nicole Finsaas ’14
T
hose who have seen televised Miss America pageants know that contestants must be beautiful, talented, and intelligent. Bethel alumna Huldah Omesa ’11 is certainly all of those. But Omesa has something more: a kingdom-inspired vision. Recently, Omesa was crowned Miss Africa Minnesota, competing on the platform of eradicating extreme poverty. While this may seem like a distant possibility, she already has plans in action to help those in Africa struggling with poverty. “If I can empower them to empower themselves to create sustainability and growth, then they can create opportunities in their community through micro-financing,” she says. Omesa is already working to build a computer lab and library in her mother’s and father’s home villages in Kenya. Omesa immigrated to the United States when she was five years old and graduated from Bethel with a triple major in international business, intercultural studies, and reconciliation studies. Beginning fall 2012, she hopes to further her education at New York University, pursuing a dual master’s degree, and she will compete in the Miss Africa U.S.A. pageant in November. She says her motivation to achieve and give back comes from her family members still in Kenya who struggle with extreme poverty every day. “I’m blessed to be here and to have the opportunity to go to school and have all my needs met,” she explains. “So what can I do in return? This pageant was the platform to initiate my project.” Omesa credits Bethel with helping to ignite her passion for eradicating poverty. “My four years at Bethel definitely created a different person from the person who entered Bethel,” she says. “I am stronger. I have more confidence. I am able to think critically through things. But most important, I am a stronger person in my beliefs as a Christian woman. Bethel was able to cultivate and nurture all those different aspects of my life, not only academically, but also socially and spiritually.” BT Huldah Omesa ’11, Miss Africa Minnesota 2011 (Photo courtesy of Steve Murphy)
Bethel University
9
Doctoral Student Closes the Education Gap by Suzanne Yonker GS’09
F
or Stacie Stanley, being both a student and instructor in Bethel’s Ed.D. program and a full-time elementary school principal is just all in a (school) day’s work. Stanley grew up in public housing but attended a magnet school in a more affluent neighborhood. It was an eyeopening experience, because everyone there planned to attend college, a future her mother intended for her all along. “My mother always taught us that the way out of poverty was education,” she explains. “She told my brothers and me, ‘I may not know physics or chemistry, but you kids are going to learn those subjects.’” Taking her mother’s words to heart, Stanley went on to finish a degree in occupational therapy (OT). She first worked with the elderly, then decided to take a position at an elementary school with the goal of practicing OT with children. But God moved her in a different direction. “School started in September, and by October I knew I wanted to be a teacher,” Stanley says. She taught middle school mathematics and became intrigued by the learning gap between students of color and those of European descent, and even between genders. She succeeded in closing the gap
10 Tapestry • Spring 2012
between boys and girls, but grew more concerned with the racial disparities she witnessed. A later job as a program director with the East Metro Integration District based in St. Paul involved traveling between inner-city and suburban school
districts, where she saw the same gaps. “We conducted research and put together youth programs to fill those gaps and help kids connect to their schools,” Stanley says. “Children learn at really high levels when they trust you and know that you care about them.” Now Stanley serves as principal of an elementary school in Roseville, Minn. Initially she thought the school’s demographic didn’t match her previous areas of study, but after praying about it, she accepted the position. Within a year’s time, her school gained 100 children, including a large population of English language learners and students who qualified for free or reduced-priced meals. “I believe that God brought me to the school for this very season,” she says. “Today, one-third of our students are students of color. My staff was overwhelmed, but I said, ‘Look, you already are great teachers. Let’s learn how to be great teachers with this population of students.’” Her staff rose to the challenge, and within two school years
students across all levels of performance demonstrated significantly greater levels of achievement. Stanley has completed two of the three years of Bethel’s doctoral degree program in educational administration. She also co-teaches the program’s Leading in a Complex and Pluralistic Society course, but loves being a student. “The courses are highly reflective,” she says. “They have impacted my relationship with Christ at a level I couldn’t even imagine. At my elementary school, my staff tells me they really appreciate the knowledge and background I have gotten in the coursework. And I have to say it’s all Bethel.” Stanley is writing her doctoral dissertation on intercultural development for the K-12 leader and its impact on practice. And when she completes her degree? She’ll continue serving as a principal for now. But “God has placed it on my heart to open a school,” she says, “and I would be honored to serve as a professor at Bethel one day!” BT
Bethel University 11
Seminary Program Enhanced by Diversity by Alennah Westlund ’14
M
any of Bethel’s programs draw students from across the nation and around the world. But one Bethel Seminary cohort boasts the “most globally diverse group we have ever had,” says Denise Muir Kjesbo, professor and lead faculty of the Master of Arts in Children’s and Family Ministry program. Students in this M.A. in Children’s and Family Ministry cohort hail from across the globe: Uganda, Albania, Kyrgystan, Switzerland, Guatemala, Spain, South Africa, Dominican Republic, and Kenya. Others in the group come from New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Texas, Nevada, and California. This group is diverse in other ways,
A Bethel Seminary cohort 12 Tapestry • Spring 2012
too. Students come from an array of ministry and church contexts, including early childhood, children’s ministries, outreach/missional ministries, and youth ministries. In addition, the group includes two marathon runners; a theatre arts writer; a director; a performer; and those with backgrounds in public school teaching, guidance and counseling, and sales and marketing. Such diversity has enriched Rozeta Gabriella Hoppe’s experience as a student in this cohort. Coming to the group from the Eastern Orthodox Christian Church in Albania, Hoppe says she now has a fuller understanding of the Christian faith. “We can fully experience the Body of Christ,” Hoppe explains, “only when we experience the diversity of its members from around the world and across Christian traditions.” Kjesbo says that the program has been blessed by global diversity from its inception, and appreciates the learning that comes from exposure to a range of perspectives and backgrounds. “Tremendous richness comes when people gather together from many contexts to learn,” she says. “Students contribute to the learning process by sharing from their ministry contexts, so having global voices makes the learning an even richer experience for all.” BT
Faculty-Student Collaboration Boosts Academic Accomplishment By Joyce Venida ’13
W
hen Bethel University student Ryan Steel presented at the 28th Annual Meeting of the Association of Third World Studies in Savannah, Ga., he was the only undergraduate student in attendance. Steel, who spent two months as an intern for a microfinance development organization in Ghana, presented on “Leading and Implementing ‘Bottom Up’ Community-Level Microfinance Organizations in a Developing Country: How Evaluation Research Can Help.” Steel’s presentation and his thoughtful questions following other panel presentations were well-received. “It was great being in an academically focused environment,” says Steel, who was even invited to participate in a conference on poverty alleviation by some faculty members in attendance so that he can inspire more students. Steel is graduating in May 2012 with majors in economics, sociocultural studies, and third world studies. Professor Samuel Zalanga has worked closely with Steel following his transfer to Bethel from Purdue University. Their relationship is exemplary of how faculty-student collaborations can evolve and help students excel. “The collaboration shows that there are many students at Bethel who can
become challenged to do much more than others think possible. Faculty-student collaboration provides a unique opportunity to support students at a level that they can be challenged,” says Zalanga. Steel agrees, stressing that collaborations are very valuable. “Spending time with my professors is where the majority of true learning comes from. They are great resources, and I’ve really gotten the most out of my education.” As Steel’s advisor, Zalanga could not be more proud. “Ryan is an example of the academic excellence and rigors we are trying to prepare Bethel students to cultivate in several ways,” he says, “Working with Ryan has inspired me. He has a deep commitment to issues of social justice inspired by faith. He is a man of humility in the way he interacts with his classmates.” BT
The collaboration between Bethel senior Ryan Steel (left) and Professor Samuel Zalanga (right) helped Steel excel at the 28th Annual Meeting of the Association of Third World Studies.
Bethel University 13
Bethel Alumni Aim to Bring Justice Through Coffee and Chocolate by Suzanne Yonker GS’09
T
he scent of gourmet coffee whirls in the Caribbean breeze near Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica, luring surfers off the beach for delectable coffee drinks and ice cream made from certified organic products. Following the aroma, tourists and locals arrive at Caribeans, Paul Johnson’s gourmet coffee and chocolate shop. Paul ‘94 and his wife Jeanne (Sanborn) ’92 create roast gourmet coffee as well as chocolate in their adopted coastal home—land of emerald mountains and the sun-kissed Caribbean Sea. But the Johnsons want to use their delectable products to promote social justice and fair trade on behalf of the nation’s indigenous people groups. Paul became interested in social justice after he and his wife arrived in Costa Rica as missionaries in 2004. When their term ended, they decided to stay and support economic justice with the area’s native peoples. They began by purchasing a small coffee roaster. “When we sold all of our coffee within the first two days,” Paul says,
14 Tapestry • Spring 2012
“we took it as a sign from God to keep going!” So they established Caribeans in 2007, acquiring coffee beans from a small co-op in Turrialba in the nation’s central valley region. The co-op purchases berries from indigenous farmers, which helps support the local economy. The Johnsons roast approximately 5,200 pounds a year—all a medium roast product—which is sold locally. But Paul feels particularly excited about their chocolate line, for which he and Jeanne create the only bean-to-bar gourmet chocolate on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. He says a recent interest in fine chocolate has increased the demand, so farmers can now make a profit in cocoa production using the thousands of abandoned cacao trees that dot the tropical mountain forests. This side of their business is growing fast. “We outgrew our garage and now have been able to purchase equipment and build a new factory, where we can produce up to 10 times more
Paul Johnson ’94 creates gourmet coffee as well as chocolate in Costa Rica.
chocolate,” Paul says. Caribeans currently produces about 2,600 pounds a year, creating mostly 20-gram bars and baker’s chocolate. The Johnsons are also experimenting with adding local flavors like mint, chili, and orange. Focusing on fair trade, Johnson is building relationships with local producers to negotiate reasonable prices for the best beans—all in the name of fair trade. “I am on a journey to restore justice,” Johnson explains. “Justice for the earth, sidelined people groups, and challenged communities. My education at Bethel was a major part of that. Bethel was important
for me to see that my mission field is wherever I am.” The Johnsons view their business as the continuation of their ministry. They recently sold their coffee shop as a franchise so they can devote themselves to running their coffee and chocolate production lines. “Now we are free to meet and talk with travelers and locals at the shop for as long as we want,” Paul says. “Caribeans is the tool God has used to bring me into contact with people I would never have met, and led me to moments where I can give the reason for the hope that I have.” BT
Bethel University 15
Raybon Encourages Reconciliation and Forgiveness by Alennah Westlund ’14
A
ward-winning journalist and author Patricia Raybon spoke at Bethel’s 2012 Winter Convocation series. AnneMarie Kooistra, associate professor of history and convocation committee chair, says the committee was drawn to Raybon largely because of her book My First White Friend: Confessions on Love, Race, and Forgiveness. Raybon’s convocation address described the racism and sexism she encountered throughout her lifetime, and the struggles she faced in deciding to forgive her oppressors. She explained the great anger that built up inside her from years of enduring racist remarks and attitudes, and detailed an epiphany-like experience that encouraged her to forgive these wrongs. She acknowledged the difficulty of this kind of forgiveness, saying that her decision and action could only be done with God’s help. “She [Raybon] wanted her life to be transformed from one of hate into one of forgiveness,” explains Kooistra. Raybon’s message of forgiveness and reconciliation encouraged listeners to reflect on their own actions and struggles. She described her deep belief in the power of prayer, urging people into what she called “mountain-moving prayer.” Acknowledging that some battles, such as racial and gender equality, may seem
16 Tapestry • Spring 2012
overwhelming, she emphasized the belief that God can do great things through prayer. Following the convocation presentation, faculty and students were invited to a Q&A forum. In this small-group setting, Raybon encouraged students to “get their own house in order,” in regard to matters of reconciliation. Students who attended said they were encouraged by her honesty and motivated to do some selfexamination. Overall, Kooistra notes, this was a great opportunity to invite a diverse range of perspectives and backgrounds to have “a conversation about a topic that can often be somewhat uncomfortable.” Raybon’s latest books include The One Year®: God’s Great Blessings Devotional and Bound for Glory, a tribute to AfricanAmerican spirituals. BT
Convocation speaker Patricia Raybon
USAID Administrator Visits Bethel
R
ajiv Shah, administrator of the U.S. international engagement. He emphasized Agency for International Development the contributions of faith-based organiza(USAID), visited Bethel in February as part tions to global relief efforts, and acknowlof a one-day Twin Cities tour to engage loedged the average American’s commitment cal leaders in conversations about faith and to worldwide relief efforts. “More than global development in the 21st century. one-half of all American families gave to USAID is the primary relief and developsome form of relief effort after the Haiti ment agency earthquake,” he of the U.S. stated. “When government, we raise awarepartnering with ness, we raise faith-based and resources.” community With a organizations coordinated to achieve effort of caring America’s people, global developcommunity ment goals. and faith-based Shah is the organizations, highest-ranking Rep. Betty McCollum; USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah; Vice President and Dean of the and governgovernment ment resources, College of Arts & Sciences Deb Harless; USAID Advisor Chris LaTondresse ’05 official in the said Shah, “we current administration to visit a member today more than any time in history have institution of the Council for Christian the opportunity to end child hunger as we Colleges & Universities (CCCU). He led know it, to end preventable child death as the first response efforts after the recent we know it, to end child trafficking as we Haiti earthquake, and is spearheading know it.” President Barack Obama’s “Feed the Shah’s visit to Bethel was coordinated Future” initiative to provide immediate by Chris LaTondresse ’05 who serves as an assistance and extended support for food advisor at the USAID Center for Faithsecurity to suffering people worldwide. Based and Community Initiatives. The In his remarks, Shah noted Bethel’s event was attended by Representative Betty “extraordinary accomplishment” in study McCollum; local leaders in relief work; abroad participation, which ranks 10th and selected Bethel community members, in the nation, and encouraged continued including student leaders. BT
Bethel University 17
Alum Works for Global Justice By Nicole Finsaas ’14
B
usiness alum Jay Milbrandt ’04 received his law degree in 2008, but instead of joining a prominent law practice, he decided to take a different road, traveling the world to effect justice and healing in other countries. Milbrandt is an attorney and the director of the Global Justice Program and associate director of the Nootbaar Institute for Law, Religion, and Ethics at Pepperdine University School of Law. He travels regularly throughout Africa, Asia, and Latin America as a human rights lawyer, focusing on fixing broken justice systems. He has provided children with proper identification so they can go to school, prepared cases for children in prison who would otherwise be forgotten, and helped resettle refugees. “My goal,” he says, “is to look at how these systems are breaking down, and see if we can find a creative approach to resolving the problem so that [the systems] function properly, particularly for the poor.” Milbrandt says Bethel provided the foundations for his work in global justice. “While I was in college,” he explains, “[global justice work] was not on my radar
18 Tapestry • Spring 2012
as a plausible career path. Yet, I can see how the foundations for it were built during my time at Bethel. I fondly remember attending chapel services where globally focused speakers planted seeds deep inside of me.” Studying abroad in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands during his freshman year was also a significant experience. “It was that trip that truly opened my mind to the world, showed me some of its greatest challenges, and pushed me far beyond my comfort zone,” he says. His journey continued with a trip to Thailand, where he felt God’s call to make global justice his ministry. While a large part of Milbrandt’s job involves his work overseas, he says that in order to be effective, he needs to tell each story upon his return. His outlets include a blog, speaking engagements, showing his photography, and creating films to share his message. In May, Milbrandt’s first book, Go and Do, will be released. The book challenges Christians to step out of their comfort zones and engage in justice and healing, “going and doing” as Jesus did. BT
Jay Milbrandt ’04 is a human rights lawyer working for global justice.
Fifteen Bethel students attended the G92 Immigration Conference in Cedarville, Ohio, where they learned to advocate for justice in immigration issues.
Conference Motivates Student Leaders by Samantha Allgood ’12
F
ifteen Bethel students, led by Associate Campus Pastor Matt Runion and Vice President for Student Life Edee Schulze, attended the three-day G92 Immigration Conference at Cedarville University in Cedarville, Ohio, last fall. The group was joined by Bethel Trustee George Soltero ’82, assistant federal public defender in the District of Arizona. The conference focused on equipping student leaders with new ideas to raise awareness and call their fellow students to action. “Christians have a responsibility to be informed and involved as ambassadors for Christ and for the people He loves,” says Schulze, who is placing immigration on her own “learn list” for the year. “As a campus pastor,” says Runion, “I believe that any justice issue Bethel students face must be formed by godly
thought leaders who are teaching about the issue from God’s Word. The G92 Immigration Conference provides such a venue. I’m encouraged by the diversity of perspectives brought by speakers and presenters at the conference as well as the unity under the banner of Christ and the authority of the Word of God.” The full name of the conference is G92: Equipping the Next Generation for an Effective Biblical Response to Immigration. The event’s website explains the reason for the name: “G92 is a reference to the 92 times that the Hebrew word ger occurs in Scripture. This word is translated as stranger, sojourner, or alien. It refers to people who have come from another land. Scripture says a lot about God’s love for them, and about how we as God’s people are to treat them.”
continued on page 20
Bethel University 19
Bethel’s First African-American Student Passes Away
R
ev. LeRoy Gardner Sr., the first African-American student to graduate from Bethel, passed away on June 3, 2011, at the age of 86. Gardner is a 1946 alumnus. Gardner founded the North Central Baptist Church in St. Paul, Minn., in 1957 and served as pastor for 40 years. In 1997 he moved to Carmichael, Calif., and founded Evangel Ministries.
Gardner was known as a dynamic speaker and author. He was compassionately dedicated to racial tolerance and the need for spiritual, moral, and economic leadership in America and the AfricanAmerican community. He is preceded in death by his son LeRoy Gardner Jr. and survived by his wife Kay; daughter Sharon; son Gordon; and many grandchildren, greatgrandchildren, nieces, and nephews. BT
LeRoy Gardner’s Bethel graduation photo from 1946
continued from page 19
Students were encouraged to make a difference for justice in their own spheres of influence. “This conference not only deepened my knowledge of the challenges we as Christians face to love the stranger and be advocates for justice, but it also reminded me how even the most seemingly insignificant actions we take to serve, to 20 Tapestry • Spring 2012
love, and to advocate can truly make a difference,” says senior Sarah Northrup, one of the students who helped plan the trip. “This conference truly embodied many of Bethel’s core values, and I would encourage all students in the future to take advantage of life-changing opportunities like this one,” she says. BT
TapestryToutings
Members of the Bethel community making a difference in communities of color
Bethel Professor of Reconciliation Studies Curtiss DeYoung was featured in a Q&A in Duke Divinity School’s online magazine, Faith & Leadership. DeYoung was a faculty member at the Duke Divinity School Center for Reconciliation’s 2011 Summer Institute. In the Duke magazine Q&A, DeYoung encourages church bodies to be intentional about reconciliation, including adding diversity into music, teaching or preaching illustrations, artwork, and/or leadership. He believes that churches need to work hard and be intentional about making unity happen. He concludes the interview by encouraging congregations to go outside their comfort zones to incorporate diversity and reconciliation. Visit faithandleadership. com/qa/curtiss-deyoung-the-early-churchreconciliation to read the full article. Professor of Economics Tim Essenburg presented “Reconciliation at Bethel CAS” as part of the Bethel University Library Primetime Series. Reconciliation is a topic that leaves many with cognitive and affective dissonance, which might be expressed as “reconciliation fatigue.” Starting with his employment in 1989, Essenburg gave a very brief overview of his experiences at
Bethel, offered his understanding of reconciliation, and concluded with thoughts on moving forward. Assistant Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies Victor Ezigbo received an alumni faculty grant thanks to the Alumni Council and through the Bethel Fund to research African Christian theology for a book project. He traveled to Nigeria and the United Kingdom; his studies will result in three books to be published over the next two years. Ezigbo aslo accepted the invitation to serve as a co-editor on a series of books on global Christianity. Adjunct Professor of Religious Studies Jim Lewis was the Centennial speaker at the Minneapolis Vietnamese Church for their celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Evangelical church coming to Vietnam (1911-2011). Lewis and his wife were missionaries of the Christian and Missionary Alliance to Vietnam (19671970), which was the pioneering mission that introduced the gospel to the Vietnamese people in 1911. Bethel University 21
In May 2012 in Chicago, Lewis attended an international invitation-only conference for specialists, NGO officers, and mission executives who focus on Vietnam and its opportunities today. Lewis’ return visits to Vietnam in the last 10 years have enabled him to follow up on his publications on issues of religious freedom and human rights among the ethnic minorities such as the Hmong. In addition, Lewis presented an eight-week series titled “Can Muslims and Christians Talk Together?” at a Twin Cities church whose members desire to improve relations with the Muslims living in their community. Associate Professor of Intercultural Studies Naomi Ludeman Smith received an alumni faculty grant thanks to the Alumni Council and through the Bethel Fund to attend a 14-day seminar at the Summer Institute of Intercultural Communication. Associate Professor of Psychology Angela Sabates presented “Humans as Social and/or Selfish: Competing Perspectives” as part of the Bethel 22 Tapestry • Spring 2012
University Library Primetime Series. She discussed the main premises of her new social psychology textbook (being edited by InterVarsity Press). This text looks at how a Christian view of humans relates to our understanding of human social interaction, its purposes, and motives. Professor of Media Communication L. Ripley Smith received an alumni faculty grant thanks to the Alumni Council and through the Bethel Fund to attend and present at the 7th Biennial International Academy for Intercultural Research Conference in Singapore. He presented “Ethno-political Conflict in Kosovo: Cultivating Trust in Serbian-Albanian Postconflict Peace-building” and co-presented “Cross-national Differences in Importance of Virtues.” Associate Professor of Communication Studies Artie Terry released his first spoken word CD Not Perfekt under the name of glasshand. It’s available on iTunes and several other outlets.
Associate Professor of Nursing Jone Tiffany presented “Second Life: An innovative strategy for teaching inclusivity to nurses” as part of the Bethel University Library Primetime Series. She examined what it would be like to experience the world through the eyes of someone from a different cultural, ethnic, or socioeconomic background and possible results if nurses and physicians could learn about diversity and inclusivity while roleplaying in the virtual world of Second Life, an online virtual world. The presentation discussed a pilot study done with graduate nursing students exploring the topic of inclusivity within a virtual world environment that had surprising results.
Professor of Sociology Samuel Zalanga was recently a co-winner of a Presidential Award by the Association of Third World Studies, Inc., in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the promotion of scholarship devoted to the third world. Zalanga was given the award in absentia in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil, at the Association of Third World Studies annual meeting. Zalanga also presented “Theories of the State as a Public Institution and Their Implications for Public Policy Anaylsis: A Critical Survey and Assessment” at Bethel’s Social Issues Forum. His presentation analyzed key theories of the state from the classical period to the era of hyperglobalization and concluded with some reflections on how post-colonial states fit into this crucial discussion on public policy analysis.
Bethel University 23
Sherie J. Lindvall ’70, Senior Vice President for Communications and Marketing Cindy Pfingsten, Editor • Thomas Vukelich ’82, Design Contact tapestry@bethel.edu or 800.255.8706, ext. 6233.
For more about multicultural diversity at Bethel, visit bethel.edu/about/diversity.
Students discuss history and issues of racism through Dare 2 Be Real. 12 Seminary program boasts diverse backgrounds and perspectives. 14 Bethel alumni use coffee and chocolate to promote justice in Costa Rica. 16 Author of My First White Friend shares wisdom with Bethel community.
3
Inside
The Bethel University Royal Steppers step to a different beat than the average college student: a choreographed one. The group uses percussive dance movements of the arms, legs, feet, and hands to create polyrhythmic sounds. They are a group of individuals, each with their own unique backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives, striving to be united as the body of Christ.
Address Service Requested
3900 Bethel Drive St. Paul, MN 55112-6999
Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Twin Cities MN Permit No 899
We are reconcilers, honoring the worth and dignity of people from all races and purposely seeking to create a community that reflects the diversity of the Body of Christ.
A Bethel Core Value