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Medical Professionals Meet at Bethel
By Christopher Nelson ’01, Manager of Development Strategic Initiatives
Can suturing a wound or checking an x-ray be considered an act of worship?
While leading a recent steering committee meeting of Medical Friends of Bethel, Steven Bergeson, M.D., a Bethel alumnus from the class of 1976, encouraged attendees to consider Martin Luther’s call to make one’s daily vocation "a spiritual act of worship." To meet this challenge, Bergeson asked, "How does a medical professional interact with the secular world and live out this faith?"
The meeting’s agenda included discussion of the future of Medical Friends of Bethel, an organization comprising physicians, veterinarians, dentists, and academic medical professionals. David Bjork, a physician and former trustee board member, started this affinity group 10 years ago because of his passion for medicine and for Bethel.
In its decade of existence, Medical Friends of Bethel has stayed true to its goals of mentoring students seeking advanced degrees in the dental, medical, veterinary, and academic medical fields; creating a networking and resource forum with other Christian professionals; building community through fellowship and featured speakers; and supporting Bethel with funding for scholarships, lectureships, and equipment allocation.
"Medical Friends of Bethel has been helpful to Bethel students seeking careers in the health professions. As desirable role models, Christian medical professionals can have a great impact on the lives of young people aspiring to serve in health care," observed Bethel Professor of Biology Timothy Shaw. "I am convinced that tomorrow’s health care professionals need to be trained in colleges and universities that offer a Christian worldview like Bethel. Our world needs people in health care who see their calling as a ministry in addition to a profession."
Shaw added, "Over the years, Medical Friends of Bethel has been responsible for bringing excellent speakers to Bethel to inspire our students, and members have been willing to allow students to shadow them and have offered wise counsel."
This group has hosted speakers such as philosopher John Patrick, M.D.; Timothy Johnson, M.D., ABC TV medical analyst and physician; Bethel English professor and author Dan Taylor, Ph.D.; and author Richard Swenson, M.D.
Medical Friends of Bethel welcome those who hold advanced degrees in a variety of medical fields and wish to serve both the medical community and God’s kingdom through Bethel University. Members are currently involved with strategies to raise funds for projects that will sustain the group (e.g., lectureships) and create scholarships for Bethel students.
Are you interested in joining Medical Friends of Bethel or need more information? Contact the group at medical-friends@bethel.edu or call Chris Nelson at 651.635.8055.