With a goal of connecting the rich heritage of our past to today and tomorrow, the Friends of the History Center promotes public interest in the History Center by circulating a newsletter; holding regular public events; publishing both scholarly and popular historical studies and media presentations; encouraging the gathering of vital documents and materials; raising funds for events, publishing, and special projects; and advocating for appropriate staff, funding, facilities, and policies to help ensure the sustainability of the History Center.

The Friends of the History Center is a voluntary, self-perpetuating auxiliary to the Center existing under the authorization and purview of the office of the President of Bethel University.

Connect with the Friends 

Trail Markers contains articles on conference and Bethel history, news on past and upcoming Friends events, and opportunities to contribute to the mission of the Friends of the History Center.  Submit a request to receive a paper copy in your mailbox.

Upcoming Friends events

Bethel Grandparents Day, April 19, 2024: History Center Open House

Recent Friends events

Homecoming 2023: History Center Open House

Recent Friends publications

Becoming Whole and Holy Persons: A View of Christian Liberal Arts Education at Bethel University (Stanley D. Anderson, 2018).  An online copy is available in the Bethel University Digital Library.

Five Decades of Growth and Change: The Baptist General Conference and Bethel College and Seminary, 1952-2002 (James and Carole Spickelmier, editors, 2010). An online copy is available in the Bethel University Digital Library.  

New Century/New Directions: The Baptist General Conference/Converge Worldwide, 2001-2010 (James and Carole Spickelmier, editors, 2012)

Give First Priority to Jesus: Key values for Christian living taken from the life and ministry of Carl H. Lundquist (James and Carole Spickelmier, editors, 2013).

A Time of Transformation: Bethel Seminary 1982-2012 (James and Carole Spickelmier, editors, 2013).  

Bethel Seminary: Shaped by Godly Leadership.  An online copy is available in the Bethel University Digital Library.

Hard copies of these volumes are available for order.