3 new faces to Bethany community

Benji Hurst

Benji serves as athletic director and teaches middle school phys ed. He graduated from Goshen College in 1994 with a B.A. in elementary education and a science endorsement. In 2005 he completed a master’s in technology education at Ball State University.

Following graduation from college, Benji taught sixth grade in Berne, Ind., for two years and then middle school science and technology education at Goshen Middle School since 1997. In addition to teaching he has coached basketball, football, track, and cross country, serving the past two years as track coach at Bethany.

Benji and his wife Leah have two children: Katie (’14) and Simon (’17). They attend Pleasant View Mennonite Church, where he has served as a Sunday school teacher for the youth group.

Having been a parent of Bethany student for two years now, Benji, who chose to attend public school primarily to participate in programs not available at Bethany at the time, notes that had he known then what he knows now, he would have made a different decision. He says, “I have come to value the opportunities Bethany provides for students to grow as a whole person, not just academically, but socially and spiritually as well.”

In recent years, Benji has had a growing sense of calling to Bethany, and he’s excited about the opportunities his new role will afford. He says, “I am truly excited to be joining Bethany Christian Schools. Bethany is well known for developing individual student’s gifts, high academic achievement, and a strong sense of community. I believe these values are also a strong foundation for a quality athletic program. I am looking forward to serving with the student athletes, faculty, staff, and parents to see Bruin athletics continue to grow as a positive and successful program.

Nathan Swartzendruber

Nathan teaches vocal music and the middle school handbell choir. A graduate of Iowa Mennonite School (2005) and Goshen College (2009), he served this past year as children’s music director at First United Methodist Church in Mishawaka, Ind.

In August he married college classmate Grace Eidmann. They attend Sunnyside Mennonite Church where he is involved in music and song leading.

Nathan is excited to be at Bethany and says, “I remember how significant a Christian education was to me in high school. Now I look forward to being on the other side of the classroom. I am thrilled at how Bethany emphasizes the arts, and find it refreshing how students can just pick up a hymnal and sing. Truly refreshing.”

Brook Bennett

Brook Bennett serves as strings instructor for middle and high school orchestra. He also offers private lessons to students and directs the New Horizons Strings Orchestra for Goshen College’s Community School of the Arts.

Brook has earned bachelor and master’s degrees in cello performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music and the State University of New York, Purchase College. He plays in both the South Bend Symphony Orchestra and Southwest Michigan Symphony.

Brook’s wife, Jessica, is a private violin instructor who also plays with the South Bend Symphony., and will assist the violins on occasion.