Along Side Ministries
Wow! In addition to nearly a dozen complete grace bags, the people of Bethany filled to overflowing six bins with hygiene products for ex-offenders being released from prison. We'll let you know when we have the numbers of complete bags compiled with your donations. In the meantime, THANK YOU. We are so very proud to serve our Redeemer King alongside you.
For more information on this ministry contact Bob Corelli at [email protected].
 
Habitat for Humanity
During the service on Sunday, June 8, Bethany Community Church will present a check for $43,000 from the Easter offering dedicated for community outreach to the CEO of Habitat for Humanity. This will begin the countdown to the build start sometime in the fall. We'll let you know as more details unfold. For more information on this ministry contact Dale Huizingh at [email protected].
 

Tina Anthony Makes National History
On May 19, the San Tan Mountain Black Sheep chapter elected their new president. Their choice was Bethany's own Tina Anthony. Since the conception of Black Sheep, this is only the second time there has ever been a woman to hold the position of Chapter President. Nationally, there are 90 different Black Sheep clusters; 47 of them are what they call "full blown chapters." Out of all of those areas, only Debbie Sullivan of Hemet, California shares her gender. Why is this significant? There is a subculture within motorcycling that is predominantly controlled by males. Even in the year 2008, women can be treated like property. It is not uncommon to see patches worn by wives and girlfriends that say "property of" on their backs.

The women of Black Sheep are a special breed. They stand out in a tough biker world and their presence is one of strength in Christ. They are able to lend support to others and sense the needs of the hurting. With or without titles, the female members are a very special and necessary ingredient in the Black Sheep recipe. Congratulations Tina!!
 
A New Approach
It's all about relationship. That's true in Christian witness, sales, customer service...you name it, and the outcome is multiplied by a foundation of trust and credibility.
 
Over the past year, Community Outreach Ministries has encouraged the people of Bethany to look beyond the church walls for a place to be Jesus to hurting people and you have responded. On Matthew 25 Sundays you have addressed physical needs through ministries such as Pappas School, The Salvation Army, Los Ninos, Angel Tree, ThriftSmart, and Along Side Ministries. Many of you teamed up to prepare and serve meals to the homeless through I-HELP or other programs. Through your generosity, MentorKids sent a group of mentees and mentors on a mission trip to Mexico and Hope Community Health Center has new equipment that allows expanded services. These are incredible examples of how Jesus wants us to respond to the needs in our community.
 
Recent research indicates that doing "for", while critical for meeting immediate needs, does not necessarily lead to permanent improvement in the receiver's situation. In fact, it can sometimes be more harmful than helpful by reinforcing an entitlement mentality. An approach that identifies the assets and resources a disadvantaged individual or community has on hand to build upon has been successively used worldwide. This method offers support, education, and relationships that encourage those interested to progress into a more spiritual, stable, and positive lifestyle.
 
Already many of you have engaged in some form of this doing "with" approach. You have funded one half of a Habitat house, eager to work right alongside the homeowner, developing a relationship in the process. Those involved in mentoring men, women or children in any way provide encouragement and behavior modeling that can lead to more productive and fulfilling lives.

Under the umbrella of Center Life, Bethany is working with a coalition of churches and parachurch organizations-Food for the Hungry, LifeWay International, and First Pentecostal Church among others-to plan opportunities for helping to reach into an entire community less than ten miles away-one relationship at a time-with the love of Christ. Over the summer Bethany's Community Outreach Ministries will introduce these opportunities to you. Jesus said to his disciples (including you and me), "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden" (Matthew 5:14). How cool would it be to shine that light, transforming lives in every meaningful way, until that community can shine out to the city around it? Stay tuned for more information.