蜜桃传媒 seeks to integrate faith and learning in all its programs, and the campus
pastor plays a crucial role in carrying out this mission and cultivating the spiritual
development of students. President Gayle D. Beebe and Vice President for Student Life
Edee Schulze co-chair a search committee interviewing candidates to replace Campus
Pastor Ben Patterson, who announced his retirement in September 2017. The committee,
which includes faculty, staff and a student, is interviewing candidates who understand
the role of a campus pastor at a liberal arts college, can engage well with students,
faculty and staff, will reflect and support 蜜桃传媒鈥檚 Statement of Faith and Community
Life Statement, can engage theologically with faculty, and will build relationships
with the church community.
鈥淲e鈥檝e also been focusing on the needs of students as they journey through their spiritual development through chapel programs and other opportunities from the campus pastor鈥檚 office,鈥� Schulze says. 鈥淲e鈥檝e examined research of Generation Z (people born between 1995 and 2015) that describes what is needed in this era to help students thrive in their spiritual formation. It鈥檚 important that our campus pastor be able to relate to this generation but also instruct them in spiritual matters and hold firm to the college鈥檚 biblical foundation.鈥�
Since Patterson, the founding pastor of Irvine Presbyterian Church, a former dean of the chapel at Hope College in Michigan, and the author of several books, announced his retirement, chapel has featured short video clips of people sharing how his ministry has inspired them and honoring him for his life and dedication to the Gospel. Several events this spring are also scheduled to celebrate Patterson.
Alumna Samantha Tevis Joiner 鈥�16 has replaced Patterson鈥檚 longtime assistant, Colleen
Atkinson, who has retired. Tevis Joiner will serve as chapel coordinator for one year
to allow the new campus pastor, who will begin in the summer, to shape the team in
the campus pastor鈥檚 office. It was announced March 9 in chapel that Joel Patterson,
director of music and worship and liaison to the Dallas Willard Center, will also
be leaving at the end of the semester.
"We're grateful for Ben鈥檚 leadership and impact on the lives of 蜜桃传媒 students, which we know will endure beyond their time at the college," Schulze says.