Interim vice president of academic services focuses on faith at Bethel

“I often find myself turning to Matthew 25:31-46,” stated Robby Prenkert. “In this parable told by Jesus, all nations will be gathered to him. He separates the sheep from the goats. He tells the sheep on his right hand: ‘Come, you who are blessed by my father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited me in; I needed clothes, and you clothed me; I was sick, and you looked after me; I was in prison, and you came to visit me.’

He goes on to say, ‘Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did unto me.’ I try my best to serve people, who have very practical needs, and strive to teach my students to see Jesus in them.”

Prenkert is the interim vice president of academic services at Bethel University, Mishawaka.

“My first profession of faith was when I was about 7 years old. My mother read the Bible to me and my two brothers. I prayed with my mom and asked Jesus into my heart,” he said.

Prenkert and his family attended Wakarusa Missionary Church.

“We were there three times a week. I was a shy kid. At the end of my junior year in high school, I was baptized and shared my faith testimony. That was an important step in my faith journey,” Prenkert said.

After graduation, he became a student at what was then Bethel College.

“My mentor was a member of Bethel’s student life staff, Courtney Richards, from Jamaica. After college graduation I married my wife, Jeanie. We went on to help Courtney establish a mission organization, ‘RENEWED Ministries,’ and spent two years as missionaries in Jamaica doing sports ministry,” Prenkert said.

The Prenkerts served in Kingston, a poor inner city area in Jamaica.

“They called me coach there. Many times, at the basketball court, they’d say, ‘I’m hungry, coach. I’m thirsty, coach.’ I brought food and drink for them. I never forgot Jesus’ words telling me that what I did for them I did for him,” Prenkert said.

An English major with a history minor, one of Prenkert’s favorite memories of college life was winning the NCCAA National Championship in 1992 as captain of the basketball team. He was inducted into the Bethel Athletic Hall of Fame in 2021.

He went on to Wheaten College, Ill., as a graduate student.

“I came back to Bethel in 1999 to teach English. The last 10 years, I was chair of the literature and language department,” Prenkert said.

Two years ago, he was promoted to dean of humanities and social sciences. And just recently, he took the position of Bethel’s chief academic officer: interim vice president of academic services.

“In this position, I have more administrative responsibilities: leading faculty, supervising department chairs, and overseeing Bethel’s curriculum,” Prenkert said.

He still focuses on training leaders to spot the needs of people.

“I am especially proud of our nurses and medical staff members, who come out of Bethel. They are truly serving Jesus by caring for the sick,” Prenkert said.

He and Jeanie live in Wakarusa. They have one daughter, Sydney, 17, and two black labs, Jozy and Ollie.