Dear friends of Bethel Seminary,

It was shortly before I began first grade. Reflecting on the love Jesus demonstrated when He died on the cross, I asked my Dad, “Why doesn’t everybody believe in Jesus, when He loves us so much?” Dad answered, “Some have never heard about His love.” I thought a moment, then announced, “When I grow up I’m going to tell them.” That’s when I knew I was going into the ministry.

At a summer Bible camp some years later, the speaker closed with a simple invitation. “Each of you has a choice to make,” he said. “You can decide to be in control and try to run your life yourself, or you can turn your life over to God and let God decide what He wants you to do.” He continued, “If you are willing to go with God anywhere He calls, at anytime He calls, to do anything He wants you to do, come forward and sign your name on this paper.” I raced to the front.

Imagine my delight not long ago when retired Baptist General Conference pastor Doug Stimers, who had been the Bible camp’s director, sent me a yellowed piece of paper with a lot of signatures on it. There my name was at the top. According to the document’s date, I signed on at the age of 11.

My decisions at these pivotal moments have been affirmed hundreds of times in the years since. Indeed, they have become building blocks for the rest of my life. Godly parents, influential relatives, friends, and mentors have reinforced those decisions. But the point here is that I made those decisions during my childhood.

I am so grateful that Denise Muir Kjesbo has joined Bethel’s faculty to become the lead instructor for our Children’s and Family Ministry degree program; she has shaped it into the best in the nation. Her cover story in this issue of Heart & Mind, together with profiles of Bethel San Diego student Felicia Brown and Bethel Seminary of the East’s Julia Spohrer, will fuel your imagination and deepen your resolve to make a difference in the lives of the children in our churches and around the world.

In partnership with you,

Leland V. Eliason
Executive Vice President and Provost
Bethel Seminary