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 & Lead Faculty
Justin Irving
Program Director | j-irving@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2000
Leadership Studies; Servant Leadership; Team Effectiveness; Cross-Cultural Leadership; Organizational Change; Ministry Leadership; Purpose in Leadership; Leadership Assessment; Research Methodology and Design; Spiritual and Personal Formation for Leaders
Faculty
Leith Anderson
Faculty | Leith.Anderson@wooddale.org | Started at Bethel: 2010
Pastoring, teaching, writing, speaking, and leadership.
Eric Bryant
Professor | bryeri@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2013
Missional Ministry, Intercultural Communication, Missional Innovation, Missional Contextualization
Rod Casey
Instructor in Preaching | rlc28355@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2005
Dr. Casey loves to consider the intersection of a robust theology, a contextualized audience, and best practices of communication. His doctoral project involved the application of Christian education methods into standara evangelical homiletic practice. Or, putting the sermon beyond the lecture format. He likes to experiment and take risks with the preaching process.
Katie Friesen Smith
Faculty, Thesis Advisor | smikatj@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2008
Spiritual Formation, Spiritual Direction, Leadership, Congregational Systems, Communication, Educational Ministry, Women in Ministry, Team Development, Conflict and Change
Denise Muir Kjesbo
Professor Emeritus | denise-kjesbo@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2000
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.
Timothy Senapatiratne
Faculty | t-senapatiratne@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2001
Currently, I have focused my research on three separate, but interrelated areas. First, I have focused my research on the Hebrew Bible with a special emphasis on Wisdom Literature. I am particularly interested in how Biblical Wisdom Literature borrows from other wisdom traditions within the Ancient Near East. Second, I am also interested in understanding how our own personal hermeneutics impact the reading of Scripture. I am particularly interested in Asian and Asian American hermeneuti. . . read more.
James D. Smith III
Professor | jds31@cox.net | 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