Celebrating Bridge Building From Yesterday’s Faithful to Tomorrow’s Hopeful

Supporters, board members, volunteers, and grant recipients all gathered together on August 10th at the Minneapolis campus to celebrate the good work of the Bethlehem Foundation. 

More than 50 people attended to enjoy a delicious brunch, hear stories from the diverse range of organizations and individuals the Foundation has supported, and be invited into the ongoing mission of the Foundation. 

Presenters highlighted just a few of the many places the Foundation has been involved, like helping Bethlehem overcome an unexpected budget shortfall; purchasing new stoves for the Boy Scout troop that meets at the Minneapolis campus; providing tuition funds for seminary students like Jacob Boettcher and Anna O’Connor; and supporting the transformative services of the Division of Indian Work under the leadership of Director Louise Matsen.  

Foundation Chair Gwenn Branstad, Louise Matson (via video interview below), Anna O’Connor, and Pastor Kris TM all shared about how the vision that started with the original Bridge Builders has forged invaluable connections for more than six decades. Their gifts have created—and continue to create—a legacy of generosity and care that links Bethlehem to the wider community, that honors the past, present, and future service of this church, and that offers tangible examples of God’s love in the world. 

Aaron Pearson interviews Louise Matson about the work of this organization as the recipient of a grant from the Bethlehem Foundation.