Jay Barnes Inaugurated as Bethel's Fifth President

Issue 16 | Spring 2009

Several hundred guests celebrated the inauguration of Jay Barnes as Bethel University’s fifth president during an Installation Service on Friday, March 27. The event was attended by university presidents and representatives from across the country, Bethel President Emeritus George Brushaber, First Lady of Minnesota and Bethel alumna Mary Pawlenty, President of the National Association of Evangelicals Leith Anderson, students, staff, faculty, and friends.

During the service, Barnes was recognized for his humility, excellent leadership, commitment to God, passion for reconciliation, and heart for students. He was challenged by colleagues and friends to remember that “God will lead, direct, and guide in all times” and that the “university presidency is a marathon, not a sprint.”

In his address, “Becoming Adventurous Christ-Followers,” Barnes challenged the Bethel community to give students a vision of Christ worth committing to. He asserted the importance of helping students incorporate their faith into their lives and careers by living with integrity, loving their enemies, caring for the poor and marginalized, and engaging the world.

In addition to the Installation Service, numerous events took place March 26-30. Among them, the new Brushaber Commons was dedicated, the Bethel University Orchestra gave an inaugural concert, and a Fun Run and Pancake Breakfast collected funds for new playground equipment at Bethel’s King Family Foundation Child Development Center in downtown St. Paul. A special inaugural Vespers service on Sunday evening was a time of worship featuring Jay and Barb Barnes’ passion for reconciliation.

Professor Leo Gabriel challenged President Barnes to continue making Bethel a place of genuine reconciliation.