Faculty

Our professors are distinguished scholars, active researchers, published writers, and faithful Christians who demonstrate what it means to be both Christ-followers and leaders in their academic fields. As mentors and role models, they play a huge role in the integration of faith and learning at Bethel.

Program directors and lead faculty

Jeannine Brown

Professor of New Testament and Program Director of Online Programs | j-brown@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2000

Dr. Brown has focused much of her research and writing on the Gospels, hermeneutics, and interdisciplinary integration. In addition to a book on biblical hermeneutics (Scripture as Communication, now in second edition) and two books on integration, she has published three commentaries on Matthew's Gospel and one on Philippians (Tyndale NT series). She is a member of the NIV translation team and is an editor for the NIV Study Bible, revised edition (2020). Her current writing projects includ. . . read more.

Faculty

John Anthony Dunne

Associate Professor of New Testament | j-dunne@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2017

Dr. Dunne's research interests lie primarily in the New Testament, the life and letters of Paul (esp. Galatians), Christian origins, and second temple Judaism. Within these frameworks he is fascinated by many things, including: theologies of suffering and mortality, ritual practices and participation with Christ, symbolism associated with ancient fermented beverages, critiques of imperial ideology, intertextuality with antecedent texts, and the reception of the Bible in contemporary popular. . . read more.

Kaz Hayashi

Associate Professor of Old Testament | kah54922@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2022

A Japanese Old Testament scholar, archaeologist, minister, and husband and father.

Donna Johnson

Director of Internship and Placement | de-johnson@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1999

Director of Internship and Placement /Adjunct Professor

Andrew Rowell

Associate Professor of Ministry Leadership | a-rowell@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2013

Dr. Andy Rowell has taught mission, discipleship, and church leadership at Bethel Seminary since 2013.

Peter Vogt

Seminary Dean | p-vogt@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2001-2014 as Professor, 2019 as Dean

As the Dean of Bethel Seminary today, Peter is passionate about striving to be a radically counter-cultural follower of Jesus and helping others grow in their capacity in this area as well. His responsibilities include casting a vision for robust online education, partnership with local churches and denominations, identifying ways of serving alumni and local pastors, maintaining all aspects of accreditation for degree programs, representing the seminary to internal and external partners, an. . . read more.

Adjunct faculty

Natalie Hendrickson

Adjunct Faculty | natalie-hendrickson@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2000

Natalie is an Adjunct Faculty member who teaches internship and spiritual formation courses for the seminary. She formerly served as the Director of Supervised Ministry and Student Assessment at Bethel Seminary San Diego.

Lyn Nixon

Adjunct Faculty | nixlyn@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2009

NT Greek, Hermeneutics, New Testament, Biblical Theology, The Use of the OT in the NT

Stephanie O'Brien

Adjunct Faculty in Preaching and Biblical Communication | wilstek@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2005

Stephanie specializes in Biblical communication, storytelling, practical theology, missional theology and church governance and structure. She is Lead Pastor at Mill City Church in Northeast Minneapolis. In addition, she is a consultant in the areas of church leadership, structure, and mission.

Loren Pankratz

Adjunct Adjunct | pankratz@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2022

Loren lives in Utah and is the planting pastor of The Bridge Community, a church in the Rocky Mountain District of Converge Worldwide. Loren is a lifelong learner and has a passion to immerse students in theology and equip them to engage in ministry.

Jeff Sanders

Adjunct Faculty | j-sanders@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1993

Part of the Spiritual Formation adjunct faculty team.

John Sorrell

Adjunct Faculty | sorjoh@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2017

John Sorrell is currently the Executive Pastor at NorthPoint Church in Johnston, IA. He recently completed his Ph.D. in New Testament Hermeneutics from London School of Theology. He is originally from Ohio but spent 15 years in Asia before moving to San Diego and then to Iowa. His wife, Katie Bogue, Bill and Sue’s daughter, grew up right here in Ogden. John and Katie have two daughters, Elsa (13) and Clara (11). John is always up for new adventures and is a faithful Cincinnati Bengals fan. . . read more.

Emeritus/emerita faculty

Paul Ferris

Professor Emeritus | pferris@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1998

Content and exegesis of the First Testament and biblical languages

Mark McCloskey

Professor of Ministry Leadership Emeritus | m-mccloskey@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1998

Biblical theology of leadership, leadership formation, organizational leadership development, team building, virtue-based leadership, strategic planning

James D. Smith III

Adjunct Professor | jd-smith@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1988

Church History; Historical Theology; Christian biography; Spiritual life & ministry; History of Missions; Women in the Christian Tradition; Henri Nouwen; baseball history

Mark Strauss

University Professor of New Testament Emeritus | m-strauss@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1993

Dr. Strauss is the author/coauthor of 20 books and many articles, and editor/co-editor of 40 volumes, with expertise in Gospels, Hermeneutics and Bible Translation. He also serves as Vice Chair of the Committee on Bible Translation for the New International Version and as an associate editor for the NIV Study Bible.