National Prayer Initiative

Prayer Points

April 2013

Dear Praying Friends of Bethel,

Poet Gerard Manley Hopkins has written, "Nothing is so beautiful as spring." Oh, how we need his timely reminder because spring seems to be avoiding the St. Paul campus and most of Minnesota, for that matter. At least the ice is off Lake Valentine! Aside from wreaking havoc with spring sports schedules, the continuing wintry mix of weather does not keep students, faculty, and staff from doing what they are called to do for their part in Bethel' significant mission.

We continue our prayer support for the ongoing process on Bethel's campuses - the strategic priorities identified by the Executive Leadership Team and the Board of Trustees. This month we ask you to focus your prayers on Priority Three --"Significantly raise the profile of our Business and Economics programs."

Dick Crombie, Vice President and Dean, College of Adult & Professional Studies and the Graduate School, offers these emphases for your timely prayers:

  • Pray for the business, economics, and leadership faculty in the College of Arts & Sciences, the College of Adult & Professional Studies, and the Graduate School. They are already equipping new and seasoned leaders to serve as effective and authentic world-changers in businesses, organizations, and society. Praise God for the many graduates from CAS, CAPS, and GS who have already distinguished themselves by their character, values, and performance.
  • Pray for Bethel's business faculty and leaders as they collaborate to develop goals, plans, and resources needed to "raise the profile" of all of Bethel's business programs. Their overall purpose is to enlarge the kingdom impact of the university by producing growing numbers of outstanding learners, graduates, and strategic external partners who will effectively serve their business organizations and the greater good of society.
  • Pray as faculty and administration explore the appropriate purpose of business programs within the university, community, and world at-large. Pray for them as they work to elevate Bethel's business profile in the context of the unique capabilities of the university, the competitive requirements of the business education marketplace, and Bethel's distinctive competence to produce transformational biblically grounded business and organization leaders.

Chuck Hannema, Chair of the Department of Business and Economics for the College of Arts & Sciences (CAS), adds these praises and prayer requests.

  • Pray for the launch of "Bethel Biz," an alumni-driven group working to build a better presence for BU among alums and in the business community. Our inaugural event will be May 16 with breakfast at the Edina Country Club and a presentation by alumnus Dan Dye.
  • Pray for our department as we have the opportunity to hire two replacement faculty members.
  • We continue to navigate the journey toward ACBSP (Accreditation Council for Business School Programs). Pray for the process and for the resources it will take to get us there.

We covet the prayers of encouragement from our prayer partners.

Grace and peace,

Judy Moseman and Julie Tutt, Co-coordinators

May 2013

Dear Praying Friends of Bethel,

Spring semester is coming to a close with graduations being spread across the calendar and the country - three commencements on May 25 for the College of Arts & Sciences, three on June 1 for the College of Adult & Professional Studies and the Graduate School, and seminary graduations in St. Paul on June 1, in San Diego on June 8, and the East Coast on June 15. Pray that each event will be Christ-focused and encouraging for our 1,031 graduates as they are launched into their futures. Please pray for them.

And please continue your faithful prayers for the strategic priorities that have been approved by President Barnes' leadership teams and the Board of Trustees. This month we focus our attention on Strategic Priority 4: "Achieve excellence both on and off the field for every sport in which we compete in intercollegiate athletics." The prayer items come from Vice President for Student Life Edee Schulze, Ph.D., and Athletic Director Bob Bjorklund:

  • Praise God for strong, successful seasons for our fall and winter sports and pray for the same for spring sports (baseball, softball, track and field, golf, and tennis)
  • Thank the Lord for the high caliber of coaches serving our student athletes as mentors and disciplers, in addition to coaching them in athletics. Pray that the relationships that student athletes have with their coaches and teammates would be transformational in the lives of all involved.
  • We desire our student athletes to be compelling and compassionate, truth-seeking examples of Jesus on and off the field. Pray for their ongoing sanctification, that they would live and play for the glory of Christ.
  • We seek to attract top competitors to our athletic teams. Pray for new student athletes who have committed to come to Bethel in the fall and those who are still deciding.
  • Thank the Lord for faithful Royal Athletic Association investors who generously give to support our athletic programs.
  • Pray for the needed funds for the Health & Wellness Center that will benefit student athletes and also the entire student body.
  • Pray for the search for a new men's basketball coach, that those making the decisions would have discernment and wisdom in this important hire.
  • Pray for the implementation of the athletics strategic plan, which includes increasing roster sizes, investing in coaching personnel and facilities, and garnering stronger support from alumni and investors.

Your Prayer Points mailing will begin again in August. Thank you for your support of Bethel University through this school year. May God bless each of you for your faithfulness.

Grace and peace, 

Judy Moseman and Julie Tutt, Co-coordinators