At Bethany, education extends beyond textbooks and traditional classroom settings. This year, Bethany launched a new course inspired by the principles of Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS), providing students with a hands-on learning experience that bridges practical skills with faith, service, and community engagement.
The class, Introduction to Construction, is open to all high school students, and this course introduces basic construction techniques, the use of hand tools, and the kinds of building and maintenance projects commonly undertaken by MDS. Thanks to the generosity of the Mennonite Disaster Service and a dedicated donor, Bethany received grants totaling $20,000 to equip the students with the necessary tools and equipment for this endeavor.
The idea for this class was sparked two years ago in conversations between Tim Lehman, Head of School, and Kevin King, Executive Director of MDS. It further solidified after Tim and Jan, his wife, participated in an MDS service trip to the Red Lake Indian Reservation in Minnesota in 2023. Seeing the impact of service firsthand reinforced the importance of integrating these experiences into Bethany’s educational framework.
At Bethany, meaningful learning happens when students engage both their hands and hearts in service. This course aims to equip students with practical skills—such as construction, repair, and problem-solving—while nurturing a spirit of service that aligns with Bethany’s mission of preparing students to participate in God’s work in the world.
A rewarding aspect of this course is the opportunity for Tim to team up with Daniel Yoder and Brent Miller from Bethany’s maintenance staff. They bring invaluable hands-on expertise, and their dedication to craftsmanship and mentoring students exemplifies the whole-life discipleship cherished at Bethany. Another highlight is the opportunity for the maintenance staff to work directly with the students. The students’ enthusiasm and engagement make any challenges worthwhile.
This course is more than just skill-building—it is about making faith tangible through service. Whether students are learning to use tools safely, repairing structures, or reflecting on the call to serve in times of need, they are experiencing firsthand how faith in action can make a real difference.
We look forward to sharing more about how this course shapes our students and strengthens our community. Thank you for your continued support of Bethany’s mission!