(These updates originally appeared in the Faculty Accomplishments section of the Fall 2024 issue of The ECHO Magazine.)

Betty Bacon (’12), Assistant Professor in the Church & Ministry Leadership Department and Global Program Coordinator of the Bachelor of Arts in Ministry Leadership, contributed a review of “A Philosophy of Education” by Charlotte Mason, with annotations by Rachel Lebowitz, in the December 2023 issue of the Christian Education Journal. Within her analysis, Bacon discussed how the book’s insights relate to the context of ministry training.

Dr. William Glass (’92), Adjunct Professor in the Bible & Theology Department and teaching at the Washington, D.C., location, serves as a Chaplain with the Maryland State Guard and was awarded the Maryland Meritorious Medal for Officer of the Year (2023) in April 2024 for the Maryland Defense Force. Also in April, he received the Governor’s Citation and medal for his service as chaplain. Then in June 2024, Glass received the U.S. Army’s Achievement Medal for his work as chaplain during Phase 1 of the Officer Candidate School from the 1st Battalion at the 70th Regiment RTI. Chaplain (Maj.) Glass is only the second Maryland Defense Force Soldier to receive the honor.

Carla Kouterick is serving as Director of the Bachelor of Social Work program in the Counseling & Social Work Department. Previously filling this role as Interim Director in 2023-24, Kouterick has worked in the field of Social Work for over 25 years. She has experience in child welfare, drug and alcohol prevention and clinical mental health. She is a licensed social worker in Pennsylvania and earned her Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work degrees from Millersville University. At LBC, Kouterick has taught Introduction to Social Work, Human Behavior in the Social Environment, Social Work Practice I, and Social Work and Mental Health. Carla’s husband, Dr. Kyle Kouterick, Professor of Natural Sciences, has served LBC since 2001.

Paul Mulholland has been named an Assistant Professor in the Business Administration Department. Previously serving as an Adjunct Professor, Mulholland has worked professionally for over 30 years to help clients map their financial futures through his experience in investment management, retirement and income planning, and education and estate planning. A CFP® with the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, he earned his MBA in finance from Temple University and his bachelor’s in accounting and economics from Eastern University. At LBC | Capital, he teaches Leadership, Investing, Introduction to Business and Information Systems for Business.

Dr. Randal Pelton (’21), Adjunct Professor in the Bible & Theology Department, is the Homiletical Author for the Genesis volume in Kregel’s ”Kerux” commentary series, to be released in 2025 on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing. He also published a theology of preaching in the local church titled, “Preacher as Soul-Watcher: Why You and Your Congregants Need Your Sermons.”

Rachel (Rineer ’02) Sidebothom has been named the Interim Chair of the Music, Worship & Performing Arts Department, and Dr. Jeffrey Martin will serve as Interim Associate Chair. Dr. Paul Thorlakson, who has served LBC since 2015, has moved to a full-time faculty position. Sidebothom also leads the college’s Music Education program and conducts several ensembles, while Martin is also Associate Professor and Director of Vocal Studies. Rachel is married to Dr. Timothy Sidebothom, Professor and Director of the Music: Elective Studies program; Jeffrey’s wife, Abigail Martin, serves as an Adjunct Professor for vocal students.

Dr. Brian Wright, a new Adjunct Professor in the Bible & Theology Department, presented at the annual Text & Manuscript Conference hosted by the Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts in May 2024. His presentation was titled “A Skewed Framework: How Certain Assumptions about Ancient Literacy Hinder New Testament Textual Criticism.” Additionally, Wright has multiple books  being released this fall with Zondervan Academic and Christian Focus publications, including one on ancient literacy in the first century as well as several within his 12-volume children’s picture book series on the Minor Prophets called “God’s Daring Dozen.” Available now for pre-order and released in November, the series introduces the 12 books of the Bible between Daniel and Matthew through gospel-centered messages that teach truth, promote virtue and inspire faith in God. Titles include “Jonah’s Journeys,” “Malachi’s Final Message,” “Haggai’s Feast” and “Habakkuk’s Song,” among others. Wright is the founding pastor of Redeemer Community Church in Pensacola, Fla. His academic and pastoral work has been featured on several Christian media networks, such as Christianity Today, The Gospel Coalition, Desiring God and Power for Living.

Dr. Esther Zimmerman (’19), Director of the Children & Family Ministry program within the Church & Ministry Leadership Department, served as part of an international team with the Global Children’s Forum to collaboratively write and produce degree-level curriculum in children and family ministry. The purpose of this curriculum is to vision, equip and support sister institutions to include children as a topic of serious reflection in their ministry training programs globally.

More Faculty & Staff News

LBC leadership announced this summer that the Bible & Theology and Church & Ministry Leadership departments would merge under a new School of Bible and Ministry, under the direction of Academic Dean Dr. Kevin Gushiken. Dr. Sam Harbin is the Program Chair for the Capital Seminary Masters Programs, Dr. Tony Shetter (’98) is the Program Chair of Undergraduate Biblical Studies and Dr. Zimmerman is the Program Chair of Undergraduate Ministry Leadership Programs.

These staff additions and changes also made news within the LBC family.

• Nichole Sabil is the new Events Director, overseeing Arts & Culture, and Noelle Crowley joins her as Events Manager.
• Dr. Robin Bronkema is Associate Professor and Graduate Program Director in Education
• Dr. Christina Helfrick is the Master of Social Work Program Director in Counseling & Social Work.
• Dr. Sophia Ogunlana (’06) is Associate Professor and Program Director for the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program Director in Counseling & Social Work
• Dr. Jevon Thompson (’10) is Associate Professor and Program Assistant for Criminal Justice in Arts & Sciences
• Amanda (Dowhen ’03) Zuschmidt is Associate Professor and Program Director for Sport Management in Business Administration