Bethel Seminary

09/03/2026

Pizza, pop, and the best community!

Tuesday night’s Student & Employee Pizza Party was a blast! We stacked our plates, played awesome games, gave away great door prizes, and built the kind of fellowship that makes seminary feel like home.

Swipe through to see the fun!

What was your favorite moment from Tuesday night? Drop it in the comments!

08/14/2026

New Podcast Episode is Live!

We’re excited to share our latest podcast episode with you. Whether you're commuting, working out, or relaxing at home, this episode is packed with great insights you won't want to miss.

Listen now on Podbean:
https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-bv8mn-1b33f60

Don't forget to like, share, and leave a comment to let us know your thoughts!

All Christians agree that prayer is important. But often Christ-followers and churches settle for too little when it comes to prayer. Bethel Seminary dean Dr. Peter Vogt and Justin Jeppesen of Strategic Renewal discuss how prayer can revitalize a church and provide some ways to go about that. Resour...

08/10/2026

We are thrilled to celebrate our very own Dr. Kaz Hayashi!

Dr. Hayashi’s article on the real history behind the first Protestant Christian samurai—depicted in the hit series Shōgun—was named the #5 most-read Japanese article of 2024 by Christianity Today!

Articles like this highlight the heart of what Dr. Hayashi brings to Bethel Seminary: bridge-building scholarship that engages culture, uncovers rich history, and brings deep theological context to the broader public.

Join us in congratulating Dr. Hayashi!

View the article here: https://jp.christianitytoday.com/2024/12/best-articles-japanese-2024-christianity-today-jp/

**un

クリスチャニティトゥデイの日本語読者が最も関心を寄せたトピックを見る

08/05/2026

Did you know that Bethel Seminary is the only seminary for Converge (formerly the Baptist General Conference)?

Our connection runs deep—we share the same Affirmation of Faith, and Converge leaders serve on Bethel University’s Board of Trustees (and Bethel leaders serve on Converge’s)!

This summer, Converge celebrated an incredible 170 years of ministry. Bethel was honored to be there to celebrate this landmark milestone!

Learn more at https://converge.org/together/

Let’s gather to celebrate 170 years of life change! JUNE 23–25, 2026 – WASHINGTON, D.C. Get away, get connected, and get inspired. Bring the whole family, and join friends from across the world for three days of worship, learning, and celebration.

07/30/2026

Staff Spotlight: Meet Ashley Anderson!

The people at Bethel Seminary are truly remarkable—and Ashley is a huge part of what makes our community so special!

Ashley is the Thesis Coordinator for the Doctor of Ministry program and the Administrative Assistant for the Office of Internship & Placement.

We asked Ashley a few fun questions to help you get to know her better:

Favorite spot on campus? Royal Grounds—always bustling with students, energy, great coffee (Dark Chocolate Mocha for the win!), and an amazing bakery case.
Dream dinner date in history? Nicolaus Copernicus, to talk about interweaving faith with controversial scientific ideas. (Though she admits dinner would likely be grilled cheese!).
Favorite hobby? Organizing spaces: The Home Edit style.
Things she loves: Books, great music ("Little Wonders" by Rob Thomas is a favorite!), and our seminary community.

Next time you see Ashley on campus, ask her about her latest book recommendation or organizing project! Drop a comment below to say hi!

07/16/2026

Ever feel like the busyness of life pulls you away from experiencing God’s goodness?

Our upcoming Seminary for Everyone course, "Living into the Goodness of God: Spiritual Formation Practices for Everyday Life," is designed to help you hit pause. Led by theologian, author, and podcaster Monica Ritchie, this 4-week online course explores how intentional practices like Scripture reading, prayer, gratitude, and community shape our hearts to reflect God's love in the world.

When: October 5-30, 2026

Format: 100% online, flexible (approx. 5-6 hours/week)

Cost: $195 (Get a $70/person discount if you register a group of 5+ from your church or Bible study!)

No matter where you are in your faith journey, this space is for you. Learn more and sign up today! 👇
🔗

Discover a top Christian university in Minnesota, offering undergraduate and graduate programs with affordable tuition and strong career preparation.

07/16/2026

Ministry leadership today requires both a deep faith and sharp cultural discernment. If you’re looking for trustworthy voices navigating big questions—from resilience in ministry to biblical critical theory—check out Bethel Seminary's Whole & Holy podcast. Hosted by Dean Peter Vogt, each episode brings you practical insights to help you grow as a leader and advance the Gospel. 🎧 Listen to the latest episodes on your favorite podcast platform today: https://bethelseminarypodcast.podbean.com/. Already a listener? Let us know your favorite episode or a topic you'd love to hear covered next in the comments!

Helping ministry leaders be more effective in advancing the Gospel

07/07/2026

Dr. Kaz Hayashi, Associate Professor of Old Testament, is featured in the latest issue of Christianity Today!

Bringing together his background as a biblical scholar raised in Japan and his passion for Japanese media, Dr. Hayashi examines the global explosion of the "isekai" anime genre. While many dismiss these fantasy narratives as simple escapism, he unpacks how the trend actually taps into a profound spiritual reality.

In the article, he demonstrates how a generation's obsession with "another world" echoes the biblical truth that we are exiles on earth, pointing ultimately to a universal longing for our true home with God.

Check out his insightful cultural analysis at the link below.
https://www.christianitytoday.com/2026/07/isekai-anime-trend-true-country-christians/

The popularity of isekai anime may be an unexpected evangelistic opportunity, but its themes express a longing only satisfied in God.