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Fall 2017
Giving Back
Rev. Mark and Sheryl Douras are connected
to Bethel College in way that has touched
them deeply. Both of their children, Jonathan
(attended ’02-’05) and Elizabeth ’07, chose
Bethel. And it was at Bethel that their son,
Jonathan, made friends, played music and
searched for his career path, before a cancer
diagnosis changed the family’s plans.
When both kids were in college, Mark and
Sheryl, who had led short-term mission trips
domestically and abroad, decided it was a good
time to take their most extended mission trip
ever – as full-time missionaries in Russia. Mark
had taught, worked with youth and conducted
leadership training in St. Petersburg, as a guest
teacher for a period of years.
With Jonathan and Elizabeth entering college
at Bethel, Sheryl says, “we knew Bethel would be
a good, safe place for them.”
Just five months after they arrived in
Russia, Jonathan was diagnosed with cancer.
The couple returned home and moved to
Mishawaka to be close during treatments and
Sheryl taught at Bethel as adjunct faculty.
Jonathan had been at Bethel two-and-a-half
years when he passed away in 2005. He loved
music, playing several instruments and was a
member of the college choir.
Jonathan and Elizabeth both had participated
in short-term mission trips before college. “I
think those trips gave Jonathan a real passion to
work with kids overseas,” Mark says.
As a way to honor their son’s life and
passions, the Jonathan M. Douras Memorial
Missions Task Force Fund was established.
Mark and Sheryl receive thank you cards and
letters from scholarship recipients expressing
their gratitude for the opportunity to fulfill their
dreams and expand their education. Jonathan’s
life connected his family to Bethel in a special
way. Through his scholarship, he can continue
to impact students for a long time.
“It is a privilege to have this scholarship. We
admire Bethel’s mission,” Mark says. “Not just the
mission, but how it is implemented,” he added.
“We feel connected to [Bethel],” Sheryl says.
“We feel part of the family.”
A Season for Healing
BY SUSAN E. MILLER
REFRESHING MERCIES
In 2018, Mark and Sheryl Douras will open Refreshing Mercies Ministry, a place for those
experiencing grief or loss, inspired by the loss of their son. Through shared meals, creative
expression projects, and guided journaling activities, people will have opportunity to grow closer to
God and heal.
“When you lose someone, there are significant anniversary dates … there is a need to get away,
focus and let God speak,” Mark says.
The facility will include a chapel and outdoor spaces conducive to prayer and meditation. They
will host one family at a time for two-night stays, or groups up to eight individuals for retreats. They
will also offer support for pastors or missionaries who are transitioning to new roles and places or
who are experiencing burnout.
“There are so many different kinds of loss,” Mark says. “Even a loss of dreams. We want people to
experience healing,” Mark says.
Since 1982, Mark and Sheryl Douras
have reached out to people through
ministries in places near and far –
leading short-term mission trips,
conducting family ministries, and
serving as leaders at churches and
day care centers. Both graduated
from Fort Wayne Bible College. Mark
currently serves as the senior pastor
at Mt. Olive Missionary Church.
Sheryl is a Christian counselor at the
Barnabas Center in Peoria, Ill. Their
daughter Elizabeth ’07, who was a
vocal performance major at Bethel,
is an active volunteer in church
ministry and a member of Dayton
Philharmonic Chorus.
MARK & SHERYL
DOURAS
JONATHANDOURAS (1984-2005) LOVEDMUSIC
AND PLAYED THE DRUMS, THE ACOUSTIC AND BASS
GUITARS. HE ATTENDED BETHEL FROM 2002-2005
ANDWAS AMEMBER OF THE CONCERT CHOIR.
“We feel connected to
[Bethel]. We feel part
of the family.”