Bethel University is excited to announce the appointment of Isaac A. Olivarez (Ph.D. candidate) as assistant professor of New Testament and Greek. He will join the faculty on August 10, bringing a distinctive combination of international scholarship, higher education teaching and nearly two decades of ministry leadership to the role.
“Isaac brings expertise and enthusiasm that will inspire our students to embrace a love for the study of the New Testament,” says Keith Koteskey, Associate Professor of Christian Ministries and Chair of Religion & Philosophy at Bethel. “His experience in innovative expressions of church ministry among the marginalized will also enable him to connect the study of the Bible with the practice of ministry in valuable ways. Bethel is blessed to have him join our team!”
Olivarez earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Evangel University (Springfield, Mo.), a master’s degree in New Testament from Denver Seminary (Littleton, Colo.) and is completing a Ph.D. in theology and religious studies at the University of Cambridge (England). His doctoral dissertation, “Food and the Mission of God: Meal Fellowship and the Expansion of Early Christianity in Acts,” explores the role of communal meals in the growth of the early church.
His work has been presented at leading academic conferences, including the Society of Biblical Literature (SBL), the British New Testament Society (BNTS) and the European Association of Biblical Studies (EABS). Additionally, Olivarez has been invited to contribute to the forthcoming updated edition of “Dictionary of the Later New Testament and its Developments” (InterVarsity Press).
While completing his doctoral studies, Olivarez had opportunities to teach and supervise students in New Testament, Greek and Jesus and the Gospels courses at the University of Cambridge, where he also served as co-chair of the New Testament Postgraduate Seminar.
In addition to his academic career, Olivarez brings nearly 20 years of ministry experience to Bethel, which continues to shape his teaching and scholarship. He has served as a pastor, nonprofit leader and dinner church coach, equipping churches for outreach and leadership development. As founder of Urban Outreach Denver, he led a nonprofit ministry serving the homeless and marginalized through practical support, community meals, leadership training and partnerships with churches throughout the region. He also trained church leaders across North America through Fresh Expressions, helping establish dinner churches in diverse ministry contexts.
At Bethel, Olivarez will teach undergraduate and graduate courses in New Testament and Greek while continuing his research on early Christianity and mentoring students preparing for ministry and academic scholarship.
“I look forward to joining the great team at Bethel,” Olivarez says. “And I am thankful for the unique opportunity, serving alongside them, to encourage and inspire our students while challenging them in biblical scholarship and faithful service to the Church!”