Denise Muir Kjesbo
Email: denise-kjesbo@bethel.edu
Job Titles
-
Professor, Director of The Cory Center for Children's Ministry
Children's & Family Ministry (M.A.) , Bethel Seminary
Highlight
Children's, Youth and Family Ministry - I am committed to equipping leaders to serve in ministries with children, youth and families as the crucial mission field of our time - both in the States and around the world. I am passionate about partnering with parents in the spiritual formation of their children and releasing the church as family for all.
Started at Bethel
2000
Education
- Bethel University - B.A. in Psychology, 1979
- North American Baptist Seminary - M.Div. with a focus on Family Ministry, 1983
- Trinity Evangelical University - Ph.D. in Education - Dissertation Topic: Role Models for Women in Vocational Christian Ministry, 1995
Biography
I was raised in Southwest Minnesota, the third daughter in a family that told me I was loved no matter what and I could be anything God called me to be. My call to ministry as a woman in ministry unfolded through several years until I could hear and answer God's call in my life to serve the church and equip leaders through seminary education. I am married to my best friend and ministry partner, Allen. Our family includes two adult children, Jordan and Emily, their spouses, Faith and Ryan and four grandchildren, Keke, Keivon, Hazel and Henry, and Keke's husband, Tanner and two great grandsons, Kayden and Karter (Keke and Tanner's children). Our family is the greatest joy in my life!
I love investing in the leadership development of the most important leaders in the local church and broader community: Children's, Youth and Family Ministry leaders! I do this through teaching three courses in the MACYFM: Introduction to Children's, Youth and Family Ministry, Family Ministry and Global and Missional Children's and Family Ministry. I am the Program Director for the MACYFM/Certificate in CYFM. I serve as the Faculty Mentor for all MACYFM students and find great joy investing in the lives of students.
I serve as the Director of The Cory Center for Children's Ministry. This endowment seeks to equip and empower children's and family ministry leaders who have not yet (or never will!) attend Bethel Seminary's MACYFM or Certificate in CYFM. We have a variety of initiatives including the Engage Certificate in Children's Ministry, the Engage Certificate in Family Ministry and the Engage Certificate in Pastoral in partnership with the International Network of Children's Ministries. We also offer the Entre' Ninos Children's Ministry Certificate for Spanish speaking children's and family leaders. We partner with the Global Children's Forum and provide endorsement of the Global Leadership Experience for leaders in children's and family ministry around the world.
I have served globally through presenting at and attending conferences and teaching theological institutions in 16 countries: Thailand, Malaysia, India, Lebanon, Ecuador, Brazil, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Belize, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, the United Kingdom and South Africa. My global travels have informed and strengthened my teaching at Bethel Seminary and given me a bigger view of God's work in the Kingdom. I have learned much from my global sisters and brothers.
Courses Taught
Introduction to Children's, Youth and Family Ministry
Ministry with Families Across the Life Cycle
Global and Missional Children's and Family Ministry
Awards
Top 20 Influencers in Children's Ministry - Children's Ministry Magazine, Group Publishing
Faculty Excellence Award - Bethel Seminary 2016
Faculty Excellence Award - Bethel Seminary 2003
Publications
Books:
Kjesbo, Denise Muir, Shelley Henning and Luz Galzez de Figureroa, 2024. Partnering Church and Home: Discipleship for the Next Generation. Kindle Direct Publishing. (available on Amazon).
Grenz, Stanley, and Denise Muir Kjesbo. 1995. Women in the Church: A Biblical Theology of Women in Ministry. Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press.
Articles:
Kjesbo, Denise Muir and Lou Cha. "Family Ministry: Past, Present and Future," Christian Education Journal, September 2021.
The Time Has Come!; Heart and Mind (Fall/Winter 2002), pp. 4-8.
"Children of Divorce," Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Education. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2001.
"Deaconess," Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Education. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2001.
"Feminism," Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Education. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2001.
"Gender Roles," Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Education. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2001.
"Inclusive Language," Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Education. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2001.
"Interactive," Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Education. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2001.
"Self-disclosure," Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Education. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2001.
"Small Groups & Children," Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Education. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2001.
"What Schools Are Teaching Our Kids," Group 5/6 (1998) 40-41, 66.
"Role Models for Women in Vocational Ministry," Koinonia Annual 5 (1998).
"How to Know if Your Kids are Growing," Group 9/10 (1996) 22-24.
"Developing the `Head, Heart and Hands' for Ministry: Theological Education of Christian Educators for the 21st Century," Koinonia Annual 3 (1996).
"New and Noteworthy: Christian Education and Litigation," Koinonia Annual 3 (1996).
"What You Can Learn From School Reform," Children's Ministry, September/October, 1995.
"Women in Youth Ministry: The Path To Respect," Group. September 1994.
"Why Me?" Christmas Questions: Devotional Thoughts for this Season of Advent. North American Baptist Seminary, Christmas 1994.
One of three people interviewed for following article: "What the Senior Class of 2007 Needs from You," Children's Ministry. November/December 1994.
"The Excited Face of Mary Magdalene," The Faces of Easter: Easter 1993. Published by N.A.B.S.
"The Hope of the Church," Impact, Fall, 1992, p. 3.
"When the Ordinary Becomes Extraordinary," Christ the Suffering Servant: Easter 1992. Published by N.A.B.S.
"The Upper Room," The Places of Easter: Easter 1991. Published by N.A.B.S.
"Partnership Between Church and Home," Impact, Spring 1990.
"What Makes Worship Meaningful?" Baptist Herald, November, 1989, pp. 5-6.
"A Season of Surprises," Advent: Welcome to a Season of Advent, December 1988. Published by N.A.B.S.
"The Cry of the Blessing," Baptist Herald, January/February, 1988, pp. 12, 28.
Presentations
Global Leadership Forum Leadership Experience - South Africa (2020), Brazil (2024)
Child Discipleship Forum - Awana, September 2021
Children's Pastor's Conference - International Network of Childrean's Ministries 2001 - present
Childrean's Ministry Network Presenter for Cook Communications, Midwest 1998-2013
Northwest Ministry Conference, Seattle, Washington 2008-2010
Now2 Children's Ministry Conference sponsored by Group Publications, National 2009
Spark Chidlren's Ministry Conference, Elmbrook Church, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 2008
Chidlren's Ministry Workshop Tours sponsored by Group Publishing, National 1995-2008
Familiy Ministry Workshop Tours sponsored by Group Publishing, National 1998-1999
National Youth and Children's Ministry Convention, Chicago, Illinois 1995, 1998
Certificates and Licenses
Ordination - American Baptist Churches USA - 1995
Professional Organizations, Committees, and Boards
Board of Directors - Restoration Generation 2010-2016
Board Member - International Network of Children's Ministries 2011-2015
Christians for Biblical Equality
Teaching specialty
Children's and Family Ministry - I am committed to equipping leaders to serve in ministries with children and youth as the crucial mission field of our time - both in the States and around the world. I am passionate about partnering with parents in the spiritual formation of their children and releasing the church as family for all.