Bethel University Magazine Fall 2021

The Bethel men’s soccer program has a reputation for being a diverse group of men, stemming from the fact that soccer, known as “football” or “fútbol” to the rest of the world, is a universal sport. This season, however, the program is proudly FRPSULVHG RI DWKOHWHV IURP GLƂHUHQW FRXQWULHV “We’ve always had this blend of cultures and diversity within VRFFHU ţ VD\V +HDG &RDFK 7KLDJR 3LQWR Š Š $ JUDGXDWH RI Bethel himself, Pinto represented both the United States and Brazil when he played on the Bethel men’s soccer team. “What’s unique about college soccer in the U.S., is that it attracts kids from all over the world because kids want to play at a high level …still play at a competitive level …and combine education.” The international population of Bethel University’s athletics has increased over the years, largely due to technology allowing FRDFKHV WR UHYLHZ UHFUXLWLQJ SURƃOHV RQOLQH DQG KRVW =RRP FDOOV with recruits. “We have such a great blend of international students and local, 8 6 EDVHG >VWXGHQWV@ ZKLFK LV YHU\ YDOXDEOH ţ VD\V 3LQWR Ţ7KH\ DGG D G\QDPLF DERXW WKH ZRUOG WKDW LV EHQHƃFLDO WR RXU VWXGHQWV ţ Pinto believes that the history of community at Bethel is the true selling point for international recruits. “What we have here at Bethel is very special in terms of the mentorship and helping guide students into who God has created them to be,” says Pinto. “You have people who are dedicated to the mission of the school and the values of the school.” :LWK DWKOHWHV IURP DOO RYHU WKH JOREH RQH RI WKH ƃUVW TXHVWLRQV Coach Pinto receives is how the language barrier can be overcome. “In an environment of soccer, the language becomes secondary,” KH VD\V Ţ:H ƃQG D ZD\ WR FRPPXQLFDWH 7KH VSRUW LWVHOI Ũ LV D ZD\ WR H[SUHVV RXUVHOYHV DQG FRPPXQLFDWH ţ The coaches also intentionally place upperclassmen in positions of leadership within the team. These men lead teammates in KDYLQJ GLQQHU WRJHWKHU DQG ERQGLQJ RƂ WKH ƃHOG ZKLFK KHOSV international students adapt to and overcome language and cultural barriers. ,Q KLV VHDVRQV RI FRDFKLQJ 3LQWR LV SURXG RI WKH WUHPHQGRXV growth he has witnessed in his athletes. “I look at the program being here for so long and have gotten WR VHH PDQ\ RI >WKH SOD\HUV@ EHFRPH QRW RQO\ JUHDW OHDGHUV EXW great husbands and great Christ-followers.” 62&&(5 7($0 BLENDS CULTURES FROM AROUND THE GLOBE BY KARIS KINDINGER &RXQWULHV UHSUHVHQWHG LQ WKH SURJUDP VSDQ ƃYH continents and include Brazil, Burma, Cameroon, Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, England, Germany, Granada, +RQGXUDV 0H[LFR 1LJHULD 3HUX 5RPDQLD 8JDQGD 86$ Vietnam, Zambia and Zimbabwe. 3LQWR IRFXVHV WKH WHDP RQ PRUH WKDQ MXVW ZLQQLQJ JDPHV Ţ>7KH JRDO@ LV JURZLQJ FKDPSLRQV EH\RQG WKH JDPH Ũ :LQQLQJ LV D byproduct of us becoming the best version of who we’re created to be.” 17 FALL 2021