| Change to Bethany's Elder Board |
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Effective July 20, John Ronan was chosen to fulfill the remainder of Perry Hill's term as an elder on Bethany's Elder Board. Perry resigned to pursue other ministry opportunities in his life.
John has served two previous three-year terms as an elder. In 2007, during the last year of his last term, he was Chairman of the Elder Board. Please pray for Perry, John and the other members of the Elder Board as they lead Bethany into the future.
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Community Outreach Update |
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"...I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:40
A Heart Like His
May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. - Hebrews 13:20-21 (NIV) Each of us travels through darkness at some point in our lives. Hopefully, we allow God to walk with us, teaching of his boundless love, faithfulness and grace; leading us back into light. This is one way he equips his saints for service. What has God brought you through? How can you use that experience to do his will? In the story below, you will see how Alice chose to apply the lessons God taught her by showing others that Jesus is the way out of dysfunction and substance abuse. She seeks to serve with His heart.
Healed to Serve Others
I am a recovering alcoholic--sober 30 years on July 1. As a victim of incest, I suffered from low self-esteem and a lack of healthy boundaries. My religious background did not include a full understanding of what it meant to have Jesus in my life. When I finally met him through Bible Study Fellowship, I began my journey of healing.
 With the help of many programs, as well as caring and supportive people at Bethany, I waded through the anguish of my son's death due to a motorcycle accident 25 years ago and my husband's death 15 years ago--all without a drink. However, even those victories didn't end my struggle with self-doubt and discouragement. Only after reading the book Mending the Soul a few years ago and going through counseling could I say for the first time in my life that I'm a whole person.
I tell you this so you can understand how I identify with many women in prison--women who have known nothing but a lifetime of dysfunction and the abyss of drugs or alcohol. My experience has taught me that the deep love of Jesus Christ and people who truly care can be a lifeline from quicksand onto solid ground.
Since joining the prison ministry one and a half years ago, my life has new purpose. Each week I show up eager to see what new truths God has planted in each of these precious lives. He is doing a mighty work in so many--reaching into families, as well as friends, both inside and out. A few of the women have even led some of the guards to Christ.
One Wiccan woman in maximum security, Flower, asked Jesus into her life after hearing a fellow former Wiccan speak of his conversion. Her heart ached over her family, still deeply embroiled in the occult. Along with the other prison believers, I prayed for God to release this family from bondage. On Easter Sunday, Flower phoned home. "I am his and he is mine," she said. Her mom became a believer over the phone that day. Weeks later, after observing the blanket of peace that had settled over his wife, Flower's dad followed suit.
Filled with humanly-unaccountable love, I long to embrace each woman--if only the prison allowed. How blessed and privileged I feel to serve my Jesus through this ministry at Bethany.
Celebrate Outreach!
Cotton Center
Last summer, Maricopa County awarded Bethany a $5000 grant to apply toward playground equipment at the Cotton Center Town Homes community. The residents are primarily low-income families and the children had nothing to entertain them but open space.
 Combined with Joe Cook's persistent fundraising efforts, Georgette Asfura's coordination, a contribution from Bethany, a deep discount from Sunstate Recreation, as well as technical advice from Kevin Leach and Steve Mishler, we had enough funds to begin installation of a playground unit that will offer the kids a variety of healthy play options. Soon wood chips will cover the ground and the equipment will be ready to use. Thanks to all who worked so diligently to make this happen. Please pray that the little hearts of these children will find the love of Jesus.
I-HELP
Bethany's ongoing effort to offer the hand of friendship to our homeless neighbors is in full swing. Many of you have volunteered to help with meals, coordinate, set up or talk with someone who has lost the way. This is a monitored, safe outreach. If you have young children, consider this as a wonderful opportunity to model servant hood. Contact Cheryl Chamberlain or Gen Garan to find out how you, too, can serve while seeking a "Heart Like His."
Save the Date: Saturday, October 24Do you care about the battle for Arizona's unborn children? Do you want to arm those affected by unplanned pregnancies with the facts that could save them from a lifetime of sorrow and regret? Then you'll want to support the Crisis Pregnancy Center's Walk for Life. Mark your calendar. Details to follow. Please direct questions to Harry, Erin & Skye Stanford at harry204@ellisbaker.com. Has God been speaking to you about serving in our community? Please follow through on the urging and receive the blessing that is sure to follow. Resolve to act now. Right this minute. Find your place to serve, then go out and shine with his heart!
Do you have a servant story to share (photos always welcome)? Or not sure where you might fit into community outreach? Contact Peggy Levesque, Community Outreach Ministries Director, at 480.831.5005 or plevesque@bethanycc.com. Don't forget to check out the Community Outreach page on Bethany's Web site for serving ideas.
- Peggy Levesque, Community Outreach Ministries Director
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| International Outreach |
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Volunteer to Befriend an International Student
Each year, over 5,000 international students are enrolled in some program at ASU. Many of these students arrive in the U.S. with a strong desire to get to know Americans and American family life. Sadly, a majority return to their country of origin without ever setting foot in an American home.  Through the International Friends Program at ASU, we have the opportunity to love some of these students in Jesus' name. Befriending a student is not hard. The commitment is to try to do something with the student at least once per month. Invite them to join your family in the regular things that you do. Holidays are especially good times to invite them into your home to experience the holidays American style, and especially as followers of Jesus. And what a great learning experience for all of us in our families. When you volunteer, we will train you and be available to follow up with you. Sign up begins August 9. There will be a short informational meeting that day in D4 after the 10:45 service. Training will take place on Sunday, August 23 in D5, again following the 10:45 service. What a great opportunity for each of us at Bethany to reach those from throughout the world who are coming to us right here in Tempe, Arizona.
Bethany TESOL Team to Indonesia
 Shirley Lawson, Karen Thompson (Kat), and Lisa Walker traveled to Indonesia in June as featured speakers for TESOL IV (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). This conference was co-hosted by the Island Literacy Network (ILN), the Bogor English Teachers Club and the Indonesian Department of Education. Pearson-Longman, a well-known publisher of English Language Learner materials, sponsored the conference. Our Bethany team members provided the bulk of the teaching. Other presentations were done by the ILN director and by representatives from the Indonesian Department of Education.  Education is becoming an important platform in furthering the Gospel in Indonesia. ILN, with which Bethany has been partnering since our Christmas Eve offering of 2005, has initiated a number of educational projects both at the professional level (such as the TESOL IV conference) and through grassroots efforts like school scholarships for children, village libraries and reading posts located throughout the country. In addition to speaking at the conference, the team had two other unique opportunities. The Islamic School of Economics invited Shirley, Kat and Lisa for two special "Speak English Days," where they were able to talk and interact with students, faculty and staff. Secondly, they visited an ILN Reading Post during a mother-child session. At the Reading Post, participants played UNO and read "Brown Bear, Brown Bear" to practice learning color words. ILN is increasing the awareness of the value of reading and education among village people. For some, the reading post may be their sole exposure to print. All of these events boost the reputation and relationship-building efforts of ILN in the community, while opening doors for the Good News.  Lisa had the opportunity to consult with the leadership and parents of the first inclusive school for students with disabilities, "Sola Fide," (translated, "by faith alone") in Jakarta. This Christian school openly uses Scripture about salvation through Jesus and is attracting many Muslim families because of the quality of instruction.
Well done, Bethany team. We look forward to increasingly effective ministry between Bethany and our partners in Indonesia.
- John Wood, Outreach Pastor
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| Transformation in Action at Transformer Camp |
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Five wiggly, giggly 11-year-old girls and a counselor in a room the size of a walk-in closet; menus planned to appeal to kids; chapel booming with music and filled with bouncing, noisy boys and girls; non-stop activity from 7am to 11pm. Recipe for chaos? You bet. Opportunity for fun and spiritual connection? Absolutely!
 By the end of the week everyone dragged with fatigue--especially the adults. But exhaustion was a small price to pay for even one glimpse of God's touch in the lives of his precious little ones. On the last night, after a late-night movie and shepherding five pair of shuffling feet to bed, two sleepy eyes peeked over the top bunk. "I think I had a spiritual breakthrough tonight," she said.
Oh my, yes. A small price to pay at any cost.
- Peggy Levesque, Community Outreach Ministries Director |
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Don't Wait to Register Your Child for Bethany Learning Center! |
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Registration is underway for the 2009-2010 school year (ages 15 months through Kindergarten) at Bethany Learning Center (BLC), a ministry of Bethany Community Church. BLC offers Toddler and Preschool programs from 9am to noon, with a 2-day, 3-day or 5-day schedule. They also have a 5-day Kindergarten from 8:30am to 2:30pm. Both the preschool and Kindergarten programs provide optional before and after-school care from 7am to 6pm. For more information, call 480.838.2440 or visit www.blcforjesus.org. |
| Opportunities to Serve |
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Join the Worship Center Support Team!
Several opportunities are available for you to help keep our Worship Center neat, clean and inviting. If you are available for 1-2 hours on Thursday mornings  starting at 10am, you can help brush pews, straighten Bibles and otherwise tidy up. You are welcome to join the team on a weekly basis or ad hoc as your schedule permits. Please enter the Worship Center through the south door (leading into the Welcome Center). If Thursdays are not good for you, you can serve on Sundays for about 20 minutes by tidying up after second service. This helps keeps the building presentable should it be needed on short notice during the week. For additional information, please contact Robert Raimondi at 480.831.5005 or rraimondi@bethanycc.com.
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| Family Reunion |
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 Donna Johnson went home to be with the Lord on July 1. She is survived by her daughter, Debra Johnson, a son and grandchildren.
Jim Farley's father, James Farley, Sr., passed away unexpectedly July 10.
Long time Bethany attendee, Dr. Howard Wilt, passed away July 17. He is survived by his wife and three children, including his son Andy, also a Bethany attendee.
Linda Seavey, sister of Bethany bass guitarist Michael Jones, went to be with the Lord July 21. She is survived by her husband Roland, daughter Rachel Londenberg, and sons Timothy and Robert Seavey. Linda was a missionary and teacher at Bethel International School, Tacloban City, Philippines. Her service to the Lord touched many lives.
Matilda "Nonnie" Cafiero, passed away peacefully July 26. She was the mother of Bethany band member Sal Cafiero. Please join us in prayer for these families and the friends of these who have passed, as they mourn their loss.
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. - Romans 12:15
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Upcoming Program and Event Highlights |
Men's Work Morning, 8/15/09
Girlfriend Connection, 8/14/09
Women's Kickoff, 8/26/09
Care Ministry
Job Networking Ministry, 8/6/09 & 8/20/09
Events
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If you were in worship service on July 19 you saw a short video of a young couple that had come to Bethany nearly a year ago. They were following God's leading and looking for a Bible-believing church. As they said in the video, "We found one in Bethany."
another as Christ followers. In the upcoming weeks we will be emphasizing that need to get together with other believers and will provide you with some great opportunities to do so. I encourage you to be open to God's leading in this area and join others in getting together!