Fall 2023 Magazine

Moneyquestion? Weknowaguy. Flexible Borrowing • Smart Investing mcifusa.org 260-747-2027 stevesisson@mcusa.org Self-promoter is the last phrase one would use to describe Steve (we barely got him to stand still for this photo). But when it comes to matters of money, ministry, and stewardship, you’d struggle to find a more seasoned soul. So... if you’re involved in the Missionary Church in any way – leader, treasurer, decision maker, member, budget influencer – a conversation with Steve, we think, would be time well spent. Richia “RJ” Hayden-Jennings, M.A., LMHC , (6) has been promoted to director of counseling services in which she will continue providing counseling services, working with interns and coordinating outreach services for the Bethel community and students. Previously, Hayden- Jennings served as the associate director of counseling services. Shawn Holtgren, ’95, ’97, Ph.D. , (7) has been named vice president for spiritual life & university affairs. In this role, he will have a greater focus on campus spiritual life, athletics, intercultural learning and engagement and global engagement and career services. He will also be providing leadership for key initiatives supporting the president. Read more on p. 4 . Keith Koteskey, Ph.D. , (8) has been named the interim dean of humanities & social sciences. Koteskey will retain his previous roles as associate professor of Christian ministry and chair of religion and philosophy, but his responsibilities will expand to include working with seven department chairs to ensure quality instruction and curriculum for our students as well as reviewing student academic appeals, increasing financial efficiencies across departments, strategizing ways to shape curriculum to attract new students and implementing new projects. Joshua Maurer ’18 (9) has been named the director of acting where his role will include overseeing the development of actors, teaching theatre courses, directing shows and leading department recruitment efforts. He will also be teaching the vocal ensemble Voices of Triumph. Previously, Maurer served as an admission counselor. Accomplishments John Haas, Ph.D. , associate professor of history, (10) published the following articles with Current in 2023: “Observations for students in higher ed at the beginning of the semester,” “No Laughing Matter?,” “And a happy 40th anniversary to Robert Schuller’s Self-Esteem: The New Reformation,” “Difficult students and free speech in the college classroom,” “The bogeyman threat of Christian Nationalism,” “Welcome to Pottersville,” “A Cut to the Flesh” and “Religious War & Religious Peace.” Abbie Mantor, Ph.D. , assistant professor of biblical studies, (11) completed her doctoral dissertation titled “Caring for the Sufferers Among Us: Job through the Lens of Classical Rhetoric and Modern Psychological Trauma Studies.” Her work argues that the intersection of classic rhetorical studies and modern trauma studies illuminates how the book of Job continues to connect with sufferers and highlights how we can care for the sufferers among us. Cristian Mihut, Ph.D. , professor of philosophy, (12) was awarded a fellowship from the Center for Philosophy of Religion at Notre Dame to study and write on the nature and value of gentleness during the 2023-2024 year. The fellowship is funded by the Templeton Foundation, as part of the “Intellectual Humility and Oppression” initiative/grant. - ERIN J. HOLLISTER ‘07