Jeff Carter
President, Bethany Theological Seminary
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. A strategic and visionary leader, Dr. Carter is partnering with the six Brethren-related colleges and universities to provide theological education to undergraduate students through a new initiative, UP@Bethany. This new pathway from undergraduate to seminary education was awarded a $10 million grant from the Eli Lilly Foundation in 2025. Currently, Dr. Carter is leading Bethany’s financial campaign entitled Flourish, which, to date, has raised $12 million. 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. Most recently, he was nominated by Representative Brad Barrett of the 56th District to serve as guest chaplain for the Indiana House of Representatives. Dr. Carter 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.