Jason Van BemmelJason Van Bemmel will become the Upper School principal in July! He is a “proven leader with an educator’s mind and a pastor’s heart” who sensed an internal call to ministry his senior year of high school. Ever since, he has fulfilled that call in two primary ways – education and Christian ministry.
During the first years of his vocation, Van Bemmel taught a wide range of subjects including American government, British literature, creative writing, English, French, government, history, Latin, worldviews, and world history. He parlayed this experience to become the head of a small Christ-centered school in Maryland that flourished and more than doubled in size under his eight years of leadership. His legacy there includes launching a successful Upper School with the development of a rigorous curriculum, and the beginning of a competitive athletics program. He led, trained, supervised, and empowered 40 members of a dynamic team. His love for high school students led him to directly oversee the Upper School, while remaining head of the overall school program, PreK-12. As with all gifted people, the story doesn’t end there…
Van Bemmel’s call to Christian ministry has taken him on a fascinating journey. In addition to serving as a deacon, elder, and licentiate at his church, he was a part-time announcer for a Christian radio station in Baltimore, where he also wrote articles and devotions, maintained the station’s website, and produced a weekly radio program. More recently, Van Bemmel attempted to merge his passions for education and Christian ministry by pastoring a church that included a school as a ministry of the church. Though he commanded great respect and built a strong reputation as a preacher, teacher, and speaker, he quickly realized that his calling was indeed to “minister” in a school setting with high school students. He missed the flurry of activity and development of relationships and community that are part of the daily life of a school administrator.
Whitefield Community
The extensive interview process at Whitefield included meetings with students, parents, faculty, and administrators. Van Bemmel’s leadership skills, sharp mind, and clear articulation of an integrated biblical worldview immediately garnered widespread respect from the faculty and administration. Students and parents describe him as genuine, godly, approachable, and unmistakably relational.
Personal
Standing at 6’7”, and having played football and wrestled in high school, Van Bemmel has a commanding presence that is pleasantly tempered with an easy-going, winsome demeanor. He is a scholar who enjoys writing about education, theology, the Bible, and cultural issues. Jason has been married for over 14 years to Beth and has three children – Andrew (9), Jeremiah (6), and Kathryn (3).
Education
B.A., University of Maryland (history major and English minor)
M.Ed., Covenant College (educational leadership major)
M.A.R, Reformed Theological Seminary, Washington DC (religion major, with Greek and Hebrew)