President’s Welcome

Meet the President

Dr. Carter was called to serve as Bethany’s 10th president in 2013.  He earned degrees from Bridgewater College (BA), Bethany Theological Seminary (MDiv), and Princeton Theological Seminary (DMin).  Prior to coming to Bethany, he served the Manassas Church of the Brethren and the Florin Church of the Brethren, as well as served in Brethren Volunteer Service at the Church of the Brethren Washington Office on Capitol Hill.  As president of Bethany Theological Seminary, Dr. Carter is a champion of affordable and accessible education. Bethany Theological Seminary offers a pathway for students to receive a degree with no additional education or consumer debt. Under Dr. Carter’s leadership, Bethany revitalized its residential program, developed technology rooms for synchronous learning, built a technology center for students in Africa, launched a graduate program for community engagement entitled Bethany BOLD, increased annual giving, and realized increased enrollment for residential and distance learners. Dr. Carter teaches contextual leadership as part of the graduate program.

Dr. Carter’s leadership is widely recognized. Dr. Carter was nominated by Senator James Webb of Virginia to serve as guest chaplain for the United States Senate, the first member of the Church of the Brethren to do so.  He currently serves on the World Council of Churches’ Commission of Churches for International Affairs, the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce, is a member of a number of non-profit boards in the Richmond/Wayne County area, and is a regular speaker and consultant in the church, academy, and among non-profits. Jeff and his wife, Kim, live in Richmond, Indiana, and are the parents of three young adults.

Presidential Priorities

• An evolving curriculum
  With President Carter’s leadership, Bethany has responded to the emerging interests and needs of our students and the Church by developing two new master’s degrees — the Master of Arts in Theopoetics and Writing and the Master of Arts in Spiritual and Social Transformation — and eight graduate certificates and postgraduate diplomas.
• A variety of perspectives
  President Carter has put a priority on making the Seminary a place of belonging, bringing together students, faculty, and staff with varied backgrounds and perspectives. During his presidency, Bethany has become a more diverse and ecumenical place as individuals from both inside and outside the denomination have enrolled as students or taken professional positions — all drawn to the Seminary’s unique mission and vision.
• A focus on community
  Under Dr. Carter’s leadership, Bethany has committed to building and maintaining the type of rich community for which the Seminary has always been known. Hallmarks of the Bethany community include rigorous study, meaningful worship, and engaged service.
• Being a good neighbor
  Bethany has put considerable energy and resources into becoming better known in the Richmond/Wayne County community, under Dr. Carter’s leadership and we partner with other local organizations to make our community a better place to live and work. The Seminary is also committed to ongoing partnerships with organizations in other regions of the the United States, and other countries, particularly our educational partnership in Nigeria.
• Accessible and affordable education
  During the last decade, Bethany worked hard to make the exceptional education that we offer accessible and affordable for all students. During the 2024-25 academic year, Bethany students did not take out any student loans. Ten years ago, students borrowed about $300,000 annually. The Seminary has also invested in high-quality classroom technology, so that students can participate in classes from anywhere with an internet connection.