Dressed in blue jeans, Minnesota First Lady Mary Pawlenty—a 1983 Bethel graduate—spoke in chapel on Wednesday, September 24. As part of a fall series devoted to Bethel’s seven values, Pawlenty addressed the theme, “We are Salt and Light.”

“There will be times in your life when you will be the only Jesus someone sees,” said the former district court judge, who recalled the “parade of brokenness” she saw daily on her docket. “I tried my best at those moments to be light,” she said, challenging students to “live in the light daily so it becomes instinctual when needed most.”

Despite her casual delivery style, Pawlenty’s message was compelling. “You have a purpose and usefulness that God has planned in advance for you,” she said. “There is a challenge and urgency about discovering what that is.”

To illustrate, Pawlenty, a past trustee of Bethel University, shared how years ago in high school she had scrawled “Foreign ambassador” under her yearbook photo as a future goal. She viewed it as an impetuous notion until recent years when, as the spouse of Governor Tim Pawlenty, she has been called upon to host international diplomats and meet heads of state abroad. God, she said, seemed to be whispering His plans for her even in high school.

“Are you in prayer every day about the purpose God has for you?” she asked.

Noting that God designs people for unique missions, Pawlenty joked that “people who love math, who wake up thinking of equations” are a little “weird,” but ventured that someday they could be the accountant uniquely qualified to stand up and keep a corporation operating with integrity.

The illustration turned humorous when President Jay Barnes took the podium to close Pawlenty’s talk. “Speaking as a math major…” he said, drawing roars from the audience as Pawlenty realized her gaffe. Barnes then led the Bethel community in prayer for continued blessings on the unique gifts and role of Mary Pawlenty.