Welcoming Kate Bareman

Introducing Kate Bareman

Western Theological Seminary is pleased to announce Kate Bareman as the Associate Director of Student Life. Bareman will be serving as a member of the Student Life team.  

“We are so fortunate to have Kate joining our team,” said Student Life Director Timothy Basselin. “Her concern for love, justice, and community is evident in all she does.”

Bareman has worked in multiple ministry positions throughout Holland for the last 20 years. Most recently, she served at BLVD Church, where she was the Pastor of Mobilization and Families and helped create a vibrant, diverse neighborhood body of believers. 

Before BLVD, she served for six years at Ridge Point Community Church as the Family Life Pastor and then Community Life Pastor, and before that, she ministered at Christ Memorial Church. At BLVD and Ridge Point, Bareman shared teaching responsibilities with the lead pastors. 

“I hope to provide a fun and safe place for students to speak and to listen with grace and enthusiasm, so that they can be inspired to thrive as they pursue their calling,” said Bareman. “I have loved being a student at Western Theological Seminary for the last ten years as much as I have loved supporting and cheering on my fellow Western students as they achieve their dreams and work towards their goals.”

Bareman is open to sharing what she has learned as a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) woman in ministry and serves as a bridge between people, places, and things. She looks forward to helping students connect to resources, organizations, ministries, and communities at Western Theological Seminary and abroad through the Student Life program.

About The Student Life Team

The Student Life department at Western Theological Seminary walks with students as they process their callings, questions, fears, and hopes. They meet with students as needed during family crises, financial crises, and crises of faith. They work with them to heal from past wounds/trauma, offering access to therapy through the Student Assistance Program. 

In the curriculum they create for Abbey groups and the Abbey retreat, the Student Life team introduces students to spiritual practices and invites them to form habits that will last their whole ministries. 

“Student Life encourages practices that prioritize their relationship with God so that their ministry duties flow from their spiritual lives,” said Basselin. “In discerning their calls with them, we then connect them to mentors and places of ministry that can help with their particular needs for growth and maturity.”

The Student Life page on our website shares more information about Chapel, Abbey Groups, The Writing Studio, Internships, and more. Reach out to Dr. Tim Basselin or Kate Bareman through the website today!

Published July 2022

Revised January 2024