Heart & Mind
Seminary Honors Kjesbo’s Leadership in Children’s and Family Ministry Program
Denise Muir KjesboThe seminary community honored Denise Muir Kjesbo, professor of children’s and family ministry, and director and lead faculty, master of arts in children’s and family ministry, in an installation service on November 3, 2005. The event included a prayer for children, read by students in the master of arts in children’s and family ministry (MACFM) program while youngsters from Bethel University’s Child Development Center stood somewhat quietly nearby. MACFM students Brodie Swanson and Wendy Grimm shared reflections that demonstrated the impact both Kjesbo and the program have had on their lives and ministries. Swanson began on a serious note, stating that “what Denise is to this program and what this program is to me is all about partnership.” Casually donning an outlandish blue rubber spiked hairpiece, he continued, “The program releases our creativity and uses our personality to allow us to minister effectively to children.” Observing Swanson, one could easily imagine his effectiveness in children’s ministry!
Kjesbo herself spoke on the topic “Celebrate Children,” sharing highlights of her
Young participants in the
service wait (somewhat)
patiently as a prayer for
children is read. long career in children’s and family ministry as well as her vision for its future at Bethel Seminary. Slides of children playing flashed on a screen behind her as she commended Bethel’s leadership for their foresight in developing the InMinistry delivery system 10 years ago and launching the children’s and family ministry program five years ago. InMinistry is a nationally recognized program that allows students to remain in their ministry roles while they earn a seminary degree at a distance, coming to campus for intensive study just a few times per year. InMinistry students from the master of arts in children’s and family ministry program were on campus October 24-November 4 and were able to participate in Kjesbo’s installation service.
MACFM student Brodie
Swanson
shares his
hair-raising experiences
in
children's ministry. Bethel Seminary is the only ATS-accredited seminary in the nation offering the master of arts in children’s and family ministry in an at-distance delivery system. This cutting-edge model, as well as the overall excellence and vision of the program, led to Bethel University being awarded an unprecedented $2.1 million grant from Scripture Press in spring 2005 (story here). “The strong track record of Bethel Seminary’s exceptional children’s and family ministry program was key in the Scripture Press board’s decision to make this award,” said Bethel President George K. Brushaber.