Our mission is to create opportunities for members of the learning community to develop to their highest potential as whole persons – intellectually, spiritually, socially and physically – in a Christian environment.

By the words, “create opportunities,” we offer the means for you to have choices and options, and we help you develop the confidence and maturity to choose appropriately among those options.

By the term, “learning community,” we extend our mission to anyone who seeks development of his or her whole person. In our eyes, Bethel’s learning community includes undergraduate students in traditional and non-traditional programs, graduate students, faculty, staff, the local community and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

By the term, “whole persons,” we intend that, in the true spirit of the liberal arts education, the undergraduate education encompass all dimensions of the human being, which are in reality inseparable.

Guided by the values of the Christian tradition, we encourage our students to seek fulfillment in their person, social, and religious lives. We provide the tools for developing integrity, leadership skills, and the desire to search for truth and knowledge throughout life. We promote critical thinking, effective communication, appreciation of cultural diversity; and we encourage the rejection of bigotry and intolerance.

At Bethel, we seek to promote in all members of the college community a constructive participation in social change and a commitment to service of others at the college, in the local area, throughout the church and in the wider world.

Here, we encourage all our members to understand and respect ourselves, our social order, the natural world, and our Creator. This caring community builds relationships among our students, faculty, and staff and reflects the trust, love, patience and forgiveness consistent with the spirit of Jesus Christ.