November 16, 2011

Dear Bethany Family,

General Electric has been airing a commercial which positions those involved in the manufacturing of a particular product with those who have benefited from its use. One version of this commercial shows a group of individuals collaborating on the latest technology undergirding MRI equipment. The scene shifts and we hear from the men and women whose lives were deeply impacted by this technology. Another commercial features engineers, who build jet engines, lined alongside a runway watching a plane takeoff using the very engine they had built. The look of accomplishment is evident on everyone's face.

This commercial made me think of the Lord's work at Bethany Church. Our work, empowered by the Holy Spirit, carries with it God's promise of success. As we embrace His word, allowing it to fuel our daily activity, our good work will bring comfort, lead change and appropriately challenge many to live by faith. What a deep sense of accomplishment awaits each person who involves themselves in the work of God. The fruit that will come from your generosity will help feed the souls of our families, friends and neighbors: hope will be rekindled; strained relationships will be reconciled; hearts will be mended; joy, inexpressible and full of glory, will be the testimony of many who are now clothed in sadness.

How can I be so certain? I can say this with confidence because Jesus promised that the very gates of hell would not prevail against His church. I can say this with confidence because Jesus assures us that good will overcome evil! I can say this with confidence because nothing can ever separate us from the love which is in Christ Jesus.

Please view the following video. It will answer many of the questions surrounding the funding of our current strategy for reviving the spiritual landscape of New England.

 http://www.bethanydev.com/about/extraordinarycampaignupdate.html

 May the Lord bless us in these days of great harvest!

 Pastor Bruce

Ministry Highlights: September 2011

What a blessing to have such a robust website. Many thanks to all the people involved in making this happen (especially Pastor Dirk Rodgers and Karyn Green). I know you will find it a huge improvement in the way we experience community at Bethany. Our hope is that many, using this tool of technology, would connect with one another through our ministries and programs. We hope to see one another comforted by the grace of God exhibited in community; we long to witness the change that is promised when we gather to learn God’s word; and we look forward to the challenge to embrace the mission of God as we step out in faith. I’m excited about our present and future.

I want to begin by giving God praise for what He is doing in and through His people. The words of thanks and encouragement expressed during a Sunday morning now have the opportunity to live beyond the limits of that space and time. I hope to regularly dispense news that will encourage your heart and steel your resolve to live out God’s will.

I noticed a consistent theme running throughout this summer’s activities; Spiritual Growth (many commented on the blessing of this summer’s sermon series: Lord, Teach Us to Pray!) as well as taking intentional steps to draw the outside in. Read through the following highlights and underline every time Bethany reached out or provided opportunities for growth. Here is just a small glimpse at what has been happening at Bethany Church during the summer of 2011:

• Bethany Church: Raymond Campus

• We have been conducting services for three months! I can hear the Lord say to Mark Rivera (Raymond Campus Pastor), Ali Bousquin (Family Ministries Director), Katie Dunlap (Worship Coordinator), and our more than 40 Ministry Partners, “Well done, my good and faithful servants!”
• The Raymond Campus’ building and grounds are completely debt-free due to your faithful contributions throughout this phase of our Extraordinary Campaign.
• We have experienced hundreds of visitors during the summer, with weekly attendance showing steady, healthy growth trends (even during these summer months!).
• Celebration Sunday, August 14^th, was an outreach event targeting the surrounding community. We rejoiced that over 400 people attended. We gave away 176 school backpacks, filled with school supplies, to families who expressed need.

• Baptism:
  
  
  • We baptized 61 people at Camp Lincoln, including 5 adults who attend our Raymond Campus. Despite the inclement weather, we had a record-setting gathering to witness this event (see the baptism video on our media page).

• MISSIONS

• Sermon Series: THE HOLE IN THE GOSPEL (available on our media page)
• The “Help for Haiti” food packing initiative resulted in 107,000 meals (enough to feed a local school a meal a day for a year!). Next year we are praying and planning to host this same event and pack 250,000 meals! The need is very great in Haiti.
• In addition, many families sponsored children through World Vision and Compassion International.
• As a result of our participation and actions during The Hole in the Gospel, I have received a personal invitation to be a part of a group of 50 influential Christian leaders gathering in Washington, DC. On September 26-28, 2011 the first-ever World Vision Advocacy Summit will convene as an initiative designed to inspire the body of Christ in America to effectively speak out against the crippling effects of poverty impacting children worldwide. World Vision has been working tirelessly to combat the unnecessary deaths of eight million children under age five, annually. Bethany Church has always demonstrated a willingness to engage the challenge of sharing the heart of Jesus with the world around us. It will be exciting to see the doors the Lord may open to us in the future.

•  CHILDREN’S MINISTRY: Family Camp at Camp Lincoln

• We had a record attendance and participation this year with more than 205 from our Bethany families participating. By invitation, the members from a Haitian Church in MA joined Bethany for the weekend.
• September 11^th, members of Bethany Church will be traveling to Haiti to deliver 175 backpacks and school supplies to the Marmelade Church School in Haiti (just about the same number we distributed at our Raymond Campus!). Each one of the backpacks was personally decorated by our children. I’m certain there will be many happy faces in Haiti.

•  STUDENT MINISTRY

• Never The Same (NTS) Camp had the highest attendance ever this past summer. More than 65 attended with many of the students taking steps to deepen their faith. Also, a number of students made professions of faith for the very first-time. As a parent, I was delighted to see the spiritual passion my son, Jake, exhibited upon his return. As pastor, I am encouraged by our young people.
• Student Mission trip to New Orleans was a life-changing event for the participants (21) as well as the families that they served. What a blessing.