Faculty

Our professors are distinguished scholars, active researchers, published writers, and faithful Christians who demonstrate what it means to be both Christ-followers and leaders in their academic fields. As mentors and role models, they play a huge role in the integration of faith and learning at Bethel.

Program Directors & Lead Faculty

Jeannine Brown

Professor of New Testament and Program Director of Online Programs | j-brown@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2000

Dr. Brown has focused much of her research and writing on the Gospels, hermeneutics, and interdisciplinary integration. In addition to a book on biblical hermeneutics (Scripture as Communication, now in second edition) and two books on integration, she has published three commentaries on Matthew's Gospel and one on Philippians (Tyndale NT series). She is a member of the NIV translation team and is an editor for the NIV Study Bible, revised edition (2020). Her current writing projects includ. . . read more.

John Anthony Dunne

Associate Professor of New Testament | j-dunne@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2017

Dr. Dunne's research interests lie primarily in the New Testament, the life and letters of Paul (esp. Galatians), Christian origins, and second temple Judaism. Within these frameworks he is fascinated by many things, including: theologies of suffering and mortality, ritual practices and participation with Christ, symbolism associated with ancient fermented beverages, critiques of imperial ideology, intertextuality with antecedent texts, and the reception of the Bible in contemporary popular. . . read more.

Herb Grant

Professor of marriage & Family Therapy and Professor of Marriage & Family Therapy | h-grant@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2012

Dr. Grant's clinical and research interests focus on couples therapy, ambiguous loss, mental health for underserved populations and clinical supervision. Dr. Grant brings over 20 years of clinical experience and 16 years of regulatory experience to his teaching at Bethel. He is committed to helping students develop their faith as they develop their clinical ability.

Peter Vogt

Seminary Dean | p-vogt@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2001-2014 as Professor, 2019 as Dean

As the Dean of Bethel Seminary today, Peter is passionate about striving to be a radically counter-cultural follower of Jesus and helping others grow in their capacity in this area as well. His responsibilities include casting a vision for robust online education, partnership with local churches and denominations, identifying ways of serving alumni and local pastors, maintaining all aspects of accreditation for degree programs, representing the seminary to internal and external partners, an. . . read more.

Faculty

Douglas Fombelle

Faculty | d-fombelle@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2003

Doctor of Ministry After graduating from Bethel Seminary, Doug Fombelle served as a pastor in a Converge congregation for over 25 years. In 2003 he joined Bethel Seminary as the Dean and Executive Officer of Bethel Seminary's East Coast extension campuses. He was designated Emeritus status by Bethel. He then served Denver Seminary as Director of Extension Education establishing extension campuses in DC and Amarillo. He remains active as a pastoral mentor and currently is an instructor . . . read more.

Kaz Hayashi

Associate Professor of Old Testament | kah54922@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2022

A Japanese Old Testament scholar, archaeologist, minister, and husband and father.

DesAnne Hippe

Professor of Theology | dhippe@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2003

DesAnne Hippe brings with her over 20 years of experience teaching systematic theology, ethics, and practical ministry on campus, online, and in the church. Over the years, she has taught for Marquette University, Trinity International University's Milwaukee extension site, Bethel Seminary, and Wesley Seminary. This experience, along with her time working as a psychiatric social worker and a pastor, helps her to equip her students and ministry leaders in solid biblical and theological fou. . . read more.

Peter Jankowski

Associate Professor of Marriage and Family Therapy | pjankows@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2004

Jankowski's research focuses on differentiation of self and spirituality; positive psychology; psychotherapy effectiveness; faith integration in psychotherapy; narrative and experiential therapy; and clinical supervision.

Peter Kapsner

Teaching Partner in Theological Studies | kappet@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2002

New Testament and Practical Theology

Denise Muir Kjesbo

Professor and Director of The Cory Center for Children's Ministry | denise-kjesbo@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2000

Children's, Youth and Family Ministry - I am committed to equipping leaders to serve in ministries with children, youth and families as the crucial mission field of our time - both in the States and around the world. I am passionate about partnering with parents in the spiritual formation of their children and releasing the church as family for all.

Sandra Oslund

Library Liaison to Seminary Programs | s-oslund@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2003

As a member of the Seminary faculty, I collaborate with the teaching faculty in fulfilling the seminary’s educational mission. I am also the University Library liaison to Seminary programs and provide research assistance to Seminary students.

Andrew Rowell

Associate Professor of Ministry Leadership | a-rowell@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2013

Dr. Andy Rowell has taught mission, discipleship, and church leadership at Bethel Seminary since 2013.

Andrew Russell

Teaching Partner | andrew-russell@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2013

Andrew Russell teaches church history courses at Bethel Seminary. He also teaches a variety of theology and humanities courses in the College of Arts and Sciences. Some of his research interests include the Keswick movement, the East African Revival, the Christian and Missionary Alliance, and John Wesley.

Mark Strauss

University Professor of New Testament | m-strauss@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1993

Dr. Strauss is the author/coauthor of 20 books and many articles, and editor/co-editor of 40 volumes, with expertise in Gospels, Hermeneutics and Bible Translation. He also serves as Vice Chair of the Committee on Bible Translation for the New International Version and as an associate editor for the NIV Study Bible.

Adjunct Faculty

Tucker Anderson

Adjunct Faculty | andtuc@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2021

In addition to his teaching role at Bethel Seminary, Tucker serves as a full-time associate pastor. His current academic and pastoral interest is the relevance of biblical theology for preaching and discipleship formation. He resides in the Twin Cities with his wife, Alia, and their two daughters (Myra and Ella).

Joshua Carroll

Dmin Technical Reader and Adjunct Professor | joc23858@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2021

After over 20 years in a variety of church ministry and non-profit roles, Dr. Joshua O. Carroll is currently serving as the Lead Pastor of Ethnos Bible Church, a small but vibrant multi-ethnic church in Richardson, TX. His academic credentials include a double M.A., Theology and Spiritual Formation, from Talbot School of Theology (Biola University, 2012) and a PhD in New Testament from the University of Aberdeen (Scotland, UK, 2017). In addition to his church work, Dr. Carroll works with. . . read more.

Natalie Hendrickson

Adjunct Faculty | natalie-hendrickson@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2000

Natalie is an Adjunct Faculty member who teaches internship and spiritual formation courses for the seminary. She formerly served as the Director of Supervised Ministry and Student Assessment at Bethel Seminary San Diego.

Justin Irving

Adjunct Faculty | j-irving@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2000

Leadership Studies; Servant Leadership; Team Effectiveness; Cross-Cultural Leadership; Organizational Change; Ministry Leadership; Purpose in Leadership; Leadership Assessment; Research Methodology and Design; Spiritual and Personal Formation for Leaders

Donna Johnson

Director of Internship and Placement | de-johnson@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1999

Director of Internship and Placement /Adjunct Professor

Deb Moncauskas

Adjunct Professor | debra-moncauskas@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2004

Dr. Deb Moncauskas is an Adjunct Professor at Bethel Seminary, teaching since 2004 in the Master of Arts degree program in Children and Family Ministry. Her areas of focus are leadership and staff development, generational distinctive, curriculum writing and evaluation, and ministry administration. She earned her D.Min in 2012. Her dissertation focused on strengths-based leadership development for pre-teens. Dr. Deb's current courses at Bethel are Leadership in Children and Family Ministry . . . read more.

Adaobi Nduka

Adjunct Instructor of Internship & Placement | a-nduka@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2024

Adjunct Professor of Internship and Placement

Lyn Nixon

Adjunct Faculty | nixlyn@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2009

NT Greek, Hermeneutics, New Testament, Biblical Theology, The Use of the OT in the NT

Stephanie O'Brien

Adjunct Faculty in Preaching and Biblical Communication | wilstek@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2005

Stephanie specializes in Biblical communication, storytelling, practical theology, missional theology and church governance and structure. She is Lead Pastor at Mill City Church in Northeast Minneapolis. In addition, she is a consultant in the areas of church leadership, structure, and mission.

Loren Pankratz

Adjunct Adjunct | pankratz@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2022

Loren lives in Utah and is the planting pastor of The Bridge Community, a church in the Rocky Mountain District of Converge Worldwide. Loren is a lifelong learner and has a passion to immerse students in theology and equip them to engage in ministry.

Cristina Plaza Ruiz

Adjunct Assistant Professor | cplazaru@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2008

Professor Plaza Ruiz is a Marriage and Family Therapist and adjunct assistant professor at Bethel Seminary. She is passionate about seeing families thrive and live healthy lives. Her focus is clinical practice serving the immigrant and refugee community in the Twin Cities, supporting immigrant families in the adjustment process to a new culture and a new environment, and processing immigration trauma and loss and the accompanying life challenges that come with it. Her interest in leadershi. . . read more.

Jeff Sanders

Adjunct Faculty | j-sanders@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1993

Part of the Spiritual Formation adjunct faculty team.

Kris Song

Adjunct Professor | song@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2023

Educator, Business Executive, Father.

Katie Friesen Smith

Adjunct Faculty, D.Min. Thesis Advisor | smikatj@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2008

Dr. Friesen Smith has 25+ years of experience in the local church, higher education and camping ministry. As a practical theologian, she seeks to create a bridge between Scripture and living out faith in a post-modern era. Her research interests are in spiritual formation, leadership and emotional intelligence. Along with teaching, she serves as the director of Bethel's Youth Theology Institute for high school students.

Sara Heacox Sosa

Adjunct Faculty | sara-sosa@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2024

I have served in the areas of children, youth, and family ministry and church leadership for over 30 years! My ministry contexts have included churches, camps, regional conferences, and teaching for three different seminaries: Bethel Seminary (St. Paul, MN), Evangelical Theological College (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia), and North Park Seminary (Chicago, IL). I am an ideator, strategist, and researcher at heart. I love to follow trends and discover new pathways for ministry. Coming alongside indi. . . read more.

Esa Hytti

Adjunct Instructor of Ministry | e-hytti@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2017

Greetings! My name is Esa and I live in a cozy apartment in Shoreview, MN. I'm fascinated by all manner of theology, philosophy, biblical studies, church history, and other odds and ends, so I attempt to spend much of my free time reading books on these topics. I also enjoy lifting weights at the gym, listening to metal music, and watching good/interesting horror, sci-fi, and/or thriller movies and shows every now and again. I've found that living a life centered on Christ imbues it with m. . . read more.

Bill Sieben

Adjunct Faculty | wjs63472@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2024

Bill Sieben’s Doctor of Ministry degree was focused on Narrative Theology, and it considered the research and therapeutic techniques within mental health therapy to expand a hermeneutical lens. In his private practice work he is passionate about working with families, couples, individuals, teens, and adults across the lifespan. With experience in both residential and outpatient settings, Bill’s clinical work is trauma focused.

Keith Whitfield

Adjunct | Keithswhitfield@gmail.com | Started at Bethel: 2024

Keith Whitfield lives in Wake Forest, NC with his wife of 24 years. They have two adult children who are in college. He teaches Christian Theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary also serves a Pastor for Theological Development for the Summit Church in Durham, NC. Before joining the faculty at Southeastern, he spent two years pastoring, church planting, and training church planters in Nashville, TN. He also pastored for five years in southeast Virginia. Keith has publishe. . . read more.

Emeritus/Emerita Faculty

David Clark

Professor Emeritus | d-clark@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1988

Dr. Clark's academic discipline is philosophy of religion. In addition to philosophy of religion, he teaches theology, ethics, and apologetics. He has special interests in epistemology, the problem of evil, and the relation of theology to science. His approach to these topics emphasizes dialogue: he invites students to learn how to ground their faith perspectives with solid critical reason. And, in this day of uncivil discourse, he also challenges students to share the Gospel by first liste. . . read more.

Paul Ferris

Professor Emeritus | pferris@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1998

Content and exegesis of the First Testament and biblical languages

Ben K Lim

Professor Emeritus | b-lim@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2002

Dr. Lim's teaching, writing, and specializations include systemic relational therapy, premarital counseling, marriage enrichment, parenting, multicultural therapy, spiritual issues, missionaries, and pastoral self-care, trauma, grief, and loss issues. In addition to training therapists, he also teaches pastoral care classes for ministers of the Gospel. An ordained minister, Ben has pastored for many years in different churches in Malaysia, Singapore, Texas, and California. Ben is a Clinical. . . read more.

Mark McCloskey

Professor of Ministry Leadership Emeritus | m-mccloskey@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1998

Biblical theology of leadership, leadership formation, organizational leadership development, team building, virtue-based leadership, strategic planning

James D. Smith III

Professor Emeritus of Church History and Adjunct Professor | jd-smith@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1988

Church History; Historical Theology; Christian biography; Spiritual life & ministry; History of Missions; Women in the Christian Tradition; Henri Nouwen; baseball history