News and Events

Parents of Bethel Students Meet for Prayer

Mark and Sue Anderson

Mark and Sue Anderson have a wonderful time meeting once a month with the 20
members of their National Prayer Initiative team in Fairmont, Minn. Their motivation in serving as group leaders is personal: son Brent, a junior psychology major and a resident director in one of the freshman dorms this year, is the third of their children to attend Bethel.

The Andersons’ prayer group is comprised of other parents of current Bethel students from the area. Like the Andersons, several are Bethel graduates themselves. “We meet once a month at our home for an hour and a half,” Sue says. “Having children at Bethel gives us an instant bond and even more reason to get together and pray.”

The meetings take on the flavor of a Moms (and a Dads) In Touch group as the parents lift up their children’s personal needs. In addition, they also pray for the general Bethel concerns that are sent to them each month and other issues that their students have brought to their attention.

This year, five of the couples have freshmen students at Bethel. Meeting with parents of freshmen provide opportunities for more experienced parents to offer encouragement, support, and information. “Our kids really appreciate knowing that their parents take the time to get together to pray for them and their school,” declares Sue.

The Andersons enjoy the camaraderie with other Bethel parents who are invested in regularly praying for the spiritual condition of their children and their school. Being a part of the National Prayer Initiative allows those who live in rural and urban areas all over the state—and nation—to be involved personally in Bethel’s ongoing ministry.