Mission and Vision

Values

We are Christ-followers
orthodox, conversionist, and evangelical; rooted in the authority of Scripture.
We are character-builders
concerned with personal and spiritual formation and therefore committed to the development of whole and holy persons.
We are truth-seekers
recognizing that all truth has its source in God as revealed in creation and Scripture, and personified in Christ.
We are learners
committed to academic excellence within a community characterized by teaching, scholarship, and service.
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.
We are salt and light
relating to the world and society in culturally relevant ways while being informed by our pietistic denominational heritage and characterized by an irenic spirit.
We are world-changers
driven to prepare graduates who will shape and change the world through exemplary leadership in the church and throughout society.

Boldly informed and motivated by the Christian faith, Bethel educates and energizes men and women for excellence in leadership, scholarship, and service. We prepare graduates to serve in strategic capacities to renew minds, live out biblical truth, transform culture, and advance the gospel.

This has been our calling since we were founded as a seminary for Swedish immigrants in 1871, and throughout our history as a seminary, institute, academy, junior college, and most recently, as Bethel College & Seminary.

Now renamed and reorganized as Bethel University, we are committed to being a world-class Christian university preparing women and men to serve in strategic capacities to renew minds, live out biblical truth, transform culture, and advance the gospel.

As a university, Bethel is positioned to carry out this vision as never before. To Christians around the world who seek the finest preparation for work and witness, the name "Bethel University" better conveys our broad scope of faith-based undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs. In addition, an efficient governance structure improves our ability to serve specialized students such as working adults and executive leaders.

In short, Bethel University is taking the next step to change the world.

Rapid growth is both behind and ahead of Bethel University. Even so, our long-standing values remain at work in every class, chapel service, and campus experience, calling up and shaping the God-given potential of each student.