Institute of Reconciliation and Social Innovation

Colleagues,

As you know, one of our core values at Bethel is to be reconcilers: honoring the worth and dignity of people from all races and purposely seeking to create a community that reflects the diversity of the Body of Christ. We are now home to one of the few—and the only biblically based—reconciliation studies programs in existence, offering both a minor and Bachelor of Arts degree in this field. Interest in the reconciliation studies program has been strong, with 40 students choosing the minor in its first year in existence. For some time, there has been a desire to expand our reconciliation programs across all schools of Bethel University.

This summer Curtiss DeYoung (Anthropology and Sociology), Sam Rima (Bethel Seminary), and Greg Bourgond (Bethel Seminary) approached me with a vision for an Institute of Reconciliation and Social Innovation that would address the burning issues of the world with robust academic research that leads to socially innovative solutions, all rooted in the context of biblical reconciliation. We have explored a partnership for this institute with TRANS4M Four World Center for Innovation (Geneva) and The Prince of Wales International Business Leaders Forum (London), possibly including an M.A. and/or Ph.D. program. These discussions related to the new degree programs will require further collaboration with the partners and interested faculty members of the schools involved. With this in mind, I have authorized Curtiss, Sam, and Greg to work further on developing this institute.

As part of that process, the founders of TRANS4M Four World Center for Social Innovation will be at Bethel the week of March 9 to host a series of workshops, speak in classes, and meet with faculty interested in learning how they can be a part of this exciting new venture. More scheduling information will be made available shortly via the Bethel E-Announcements. Please pray with us that God would continue to open doors for this new institute and clearly direct our steps as they relate to this exciting new initiative.

Jay Barnes
President