Minnesota's First Lady Featured at New Wineskins Event

Volume 22 No 1 | Winter 2008-2009

At a special New Wineskins event last spring, 52 supporters were privy to the stories of former Bethel University Trustee Mary Pawlenty as she reflected on her role as Minnesota’s First Lady. Pawlenty spoke candidly about the importance of a servant attitude, encouragement, and peer support in meeting the challenges of leadership. In walking alongside her husband, Tim Pawlenty, in his role as Governor of Minnesota, she has experienced the power of encouragement for those called to serve. “It can’t be done alone,” she shared.

The New Wineskins Initiative is a network of alumni and friends of Bethel Seminary who play a vital role in advancing the seminary’s mission with their generous gifts of energy, prayer, and financial resources. In hosting the special event, the eight couples who comprise the New Wineskins Initiative’s Executive Advisory Council exemplify a principle Pawlenty discussed. To advance the mission of Bethel Seminary, they see their task as walking alongside Executive Director and Provost Leland Eliason with peer support and encouragement. 

Executive Advisory Council member Betsy Anderson agreed with Pawlenty about the need for partnership. In sharing with the group why contributing to the seminary is important to her, she said, “I struggle with how an ordinary person with limited resources can have kingdom impact. Alone, I cannot.” 

But through the New Wineskins Initiative she finds it possible to make a difference. “These are the leaders who will carry the love of Jesus Christ to our children and our grandchildren in every corner of the world,” she said. “Isn’t that kingdom impact?”

Similarly, Provost Eliason shared the importance of the dual role that New Wineskins gifts play. Not only do contributions keep the cost of tuition from becoming out of reach for seminary students, they make it possible to send transformational leaders into the world with the gospel. “We are so grateful that you join us in this very important kingdom task!”  he noted.

The evening was a tremendous success, as gifts and pledges topped $75,000, propelling the New Wineskins Initiative to a significant accomplishment of the year’s goal of $325,000. Pawlenty, too, was a hit, as she won over the crowd with her refreshing candor and sense of humor. In responding to a question regarding, “What’s next?” for her and her husband, she replied with a smile, “I just take one day at a time!”