Jo Saxton gives a message about who God is for Bethel University Chapel March 25. As the Executive Director of The 25 at Bethel, many students came to listen to her sermon. | Photo by Grace Rubin

Who is God?

A Bethel University Chapel speaker dives into the many names God carries.

By Grace Rubin

Jo Saxton stood on the Benson Great Hall stage on March 25 as students from Bethel University sat in silence. Saxton, The speaker for chapel on Friday, instructed them to take a moment to reflect on the sermon titled Who is God?: Stay Curious, How Questions and Doubts Can Save Your Faith. Saxton hosts a podcast, founded Ezer Collective and executive directs The 25 at Bethel — a program for female students to use their passions and strengths to go “above and beyond.”

“My first introduction to Bethel was speaking at chapel years ago,” Saxton said.

Christian Formation at Bethel University hosts a chapel service for students and faculty alike every Monday and Friday at 10:20. There is a variety of speakers, musicians, and themes. As students filed into the Great Hall as “Dead Man Walking” by Jeremy played in the background, they could not know what insight Saxton brought.

“I think sometimes Jesus asks us questions because he needs us to doubt some of our beliefs. My hope and prayer for everyone is that they get to know the fullness of God.” — Jo Saxton, chapel speaker

Bethel University students sat in the seats of Benson. Some took notes, some had their Bibles out, and some were just listening, as Saxton went through the names of God and what He can do. Saxton paced back and forth while she dissected Matthew 16, a chapter in the Bible.

“I think sometimes Jesus asks us questions because he needs us to doubt some of our beliefs,” Saxton said,“my hope and prayer for everyone is that they get to know the fullness of God.”

“It’s just so cool that He’s able to do so many things yet be so good through it all,”

— Rachelle Herrmann, student

Bethel students Emillia Aadland and Rachelle Herrmann worship during Chapel. Every Monday and Friday, students can join in community to hear a pastor or speaker at Chapel. | Photo by Grace Rubin

She ended the service by a time of quiet with soft piano music, allowing students to contemplate the labels of God “healer”, “helper”, “friend”, “YHWH”, “savior”, and more. For Saxton, chapel is an opportunity to teach and to Bethel University students, chapel is an opportunity to learn.

“It’s just so cool that He’s able to do so many things yet be so good through it all,” student Rachelle Herrman said.

After the service, students file out to the next part of their days, able to think about who God is to them.