For over 25 years Pastor Laurel Bunker has been a leader in the fields of higher
education, non-profit business management, and church leadership and Para church
ministry. A writer, sought after speaker and minister of the gospel, Laurel’s love for the
Lord and for people has led her across the country where she ministers to thousands of
people in a diversity of settings including colleges and universities, churches, youth
camps, national and international conferences.
Laurel has served as a leader and trainer for many national organizations including
Young Life, YMCA and Youth Specialties, The Jeremiah Program, MoveIn and Pulse.
She has also served as youth and young adult pastor, an adjunct professor, and
program director for non-profit agencies.
In 2008, Laurel joined the President’s Leadership Team at Bethel University where she
served as the Vice President of Christian Formation and Church Relations. In this role,
she led as a top-level administrator, overseeing the spiritual development initiatives of
the campus as well as managing a team of gifted individuals who develop the missions,
discipleship, prayer, outreach, and worship ministries for the University. In 2021 Laurel
also became the Interim Vice President of Diversity Equity and Inclusion, overseeing the
implementation of the institutional diversity plan and to lead the institution in its ongoing
efforts to create a more just and equitable community. In 2021 Laurel left Bethel
University after 14 years to launch her LLC, The Boncoeur Collaborative, a Christ-
centered leadership development organization dedicated to fostering strong leaders,
healthy organizations and thriving communities.
Laurel holds an undergraduate degree in communications from Hamline University in
Saint Paul, Minnesota, a Master of Arts in Cross Cultural Ministry from Luther Seminary
and is completing her Doctorate in Education in Higher Education Administration from
Bethel University.
Laurel and her husband Joshua, make their home in Saint Paul, Minnesota with their
two college-aged daughters, Naomi and Camile.
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