A Charge to Keep

Nov. 10, 2013, was a historic day for Bethel College with the inauguration of Gregg A. Chenoweth, Ph.D., as the college’s seventh president. Delegates represented 34 colleges and universities from the United States and abroad. It was the capstone of Bethel’s 2013 alumni weekend, planned so that more alumni and friends of the college could attend.

The inauguration opened with a triumphant processional to the tune of “Trumpet Voluntary,” performed by Bethel Brass and Organ. John Fuller, vice president of Focus on the Family, provided the invocation. The ceremony included a performance by the Bethel College Concert Choir, and greetings from the community, the college and the board of trustees, among others. The Rev. Steven R. Jones, president of the Missionary Church, presented the Missionary Church credentials and prayed over Chenoweth and his wife, Tammy.

Richard Felix, Bethel College trustee board member and president emeritus of Azusa Pacific University, gave the investiture and charge to the president, followed by a dedicatory prayer by John C. Bowling, Ph.D., president of Olivet Nazarene University. Bowling was joined by all living former Bethel College presidents for the prayer.

JOHN FULLER, VICE PRESIDENT, FOCUS ON THE FAMILY
John Fuller, vice president of Focus on the Family’s audio and new media division, spoke at a pre-inauguration worship service and gave the invocation for the inauguration ceremony. Fuller, who has been with Focus on the Family since 1991, is the co-host of the Daily Broadcast with Focus President Jim Daly and executive producer of “Everyday Relationships,” a live daily call-in show. He also hosts the radio features “Weekend Magazine” and “Focus on the Family Minute,” as well as the podcasts “Focus on Marriage” and “Focus on Parenting.” Fuller speaks internationally about parenting, marriage, adoption, faith, creativity, workplace relationships and more. He has written for a variety of magazines and is also the author of “First-Time Dad: The Stuff You Really Need to Know.”

After the congregation sang “A Charge to Keep I Have,” written by Charles Wesley, Chenoweth stepped up to the podium to give his inaugural address. He spoke with zeal about his grand aspiration for the college: to become a top five most influential Wesleyan college in America by 2022.

Chenoweth outlined the first phase (from 2014-2018) with five institutional priorities under the theme GREATER (for the glory of God). Each letter of the word GREAT represents one of the priorities for Phase One: growth, revival, encore, aesthetics and testify.

Chenoweth said the goal is to grow by 1,000 students, including 200 traditional and 800 adult/graduate students; to create conditions for revival, living in expectancy that God will move mightily on campus and across the region; to earn an encore, serving our constituents so well that they want to come back; to beautify our campus with aesthetics that maximize our service and our impact, reflecting our best self; and to testify of the good things happening at Bethel, reporting what we accomplish so that Bethel will no longer be a “best-kept secret.”

“These priorities were born out of four months of meetings, surveys, asking questions of our staff, faculty, students and community, considering the rich history of Bethel College, and listening to the desires of your hearts and the call of God to be GREAT,” he says.

The ceremony concluded with a benediction from Former President Steven R. Cramer, Ph.D., ’75, followed by a reception where guests were invited to greet the Chenoweth family and officially welcome him as president of Bethel College. For more information, visit BethelCollege.edu/Inauguration.

Bethel College faculty enter the auditorium during the processional.

John Fuller, vice president for Focus on the Family, gives the invocation.

The Concert Choir performs \"Agnus Dei,\" directed by Bob Ham, conductor and Bethel professor.

The Rev. Rickardo Taylor, pastor of Mt. Carmel Missionary church and trustee board member, provides the welcome.

Jeffrey L. Rea, president and CEO of the St. Joseph County Chamber of Commerce, gives greetings from the community.

Jackie Walorski, congresswoman for the 2nd congressional district of Indiana, provides greetings from the community.

Rev. Steven R. Jones, president of the Missionary Church, presents the Missionary Church credentials.

The Rev. Joe Wenger, superintendent of the north central district of the Missionary Church (left) and the Rev. Steven R. Jones, president of the Missionary Church (right), pray over Chenoweth and his wife, Tammy, as his ordination of ministry is transferred to the Missionary Church.

Zachary C. Gillis, alumnus and campus coordinator for the Center for Intercultural Development, sings \"Great is Thy Faithfulness.\"

Alumnus Pablo Rodriguez, alumni board chair, provides greetings from the alumni.

Jacob Busscher, student council president, gives greetings from the students.

Andrea Helmuth, an alumnae and assistant vice president for admission and financial aid, provides greetings from the staff.

Maralee S. Crandon, Ph.D., associate professor of English, gives greetings from the faculty.

Richard Felix, Ph.D., trustee board member and president emeritus for Azusa Pacific University gives the investiture and charge to the President.

Chenoweth shakes hands with Felix.

John C. Bowling, Ph.D., president, Olivet Nazarene University (at right), prays over Gregg A. Chenoweth. Ph.D., joined by all living former Bethel presidents. Left to right: James A. Bennett, Ph.D., Dennis D. Engbrecht, Ph.D., Steven R. Cramer, Ph.D., Chenoweth, Albert J. Beutler, Ph.D., Walter L. Weldy and Bowling.