| Welcome Kevin Kramar, Director of Children's Ministry | |
 I am so pleased and excited to announce that Kevin Kramar has joined the Bethany staff as our new Director of Children's Ministry. Kevin has been a faithful, long-time volunteer leader in children's ministry at Bethany and in the community Professionally, Kevin has been a treatment coordinator and a counselor (working with children and their families) and has owned his own investigation business leading and managing staff in several states. In the community, Kevin has been a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boy Scouts of America and the Pinal County Sheriff Department Search and Rescue Team. But Kevin's greatest assets are his love for children and families and his shepherd's heart.
Kevin's responsibilities as Director of Children's Ministry at Bethany are:
- Shepherding the children at Bethany, teaching and leading them into a lifelong relationship with Jesus,
- Supporting and nurturing parents and families in a partnership of church and home,
- Cultivating volunteers who will give themselves away to children at Bethany and in our community
- Making Bethany a place children and their families love to come to, where they experience the love and grace of Jesus.
Kevin is following and building on the great ministry of Sheri Baltzer, who is leaving our staff to become a hospital chaplain focusing on ministering to children and their families in hospital settings. All of us at Bethany have been blessed immeasurably by Sheri's ministry these past four years. She moves into this new chapter of her life and ministry with our support and blessing.
Please join me in thanking Sheri for her faithful ministry and welcoming Kevin Kramar to the Bethany staff as Director of Children's Ministry.
Rich
Richard Hendrix, Pastor
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| Missional Life - International Outreach Update |
Indonesia's Christian Schools Have a Wide-Reaching Impact on Communities
God's Spirit is moving in Indonesia! From June 4-18, Lisa Walker traveled there to lead Christian teacher conferences in three different cities. Over 300 teachers participated in sessions and activities designed to refocus each on the true calling of a Christian educator. Teachers also identified and practiced effective instructional elements and even taught lessons for their peers for critique. God is using Christian schools to reach Muslim, Buddhist and Hindu families in many communities in Indonesia where there is no church yet planted. The leaders of these various schools have a vision of having a Christian school in every UPG (Unreached People Group) community of Indonesia. We want to come alongside to help equip them to do the task God has set before them. This was a very successful endeavor and is only the beginning of a work with the Christian schools of Indonesia. If you are interested in finding out more about this project or would like to be a part of the training next summer, please contact Lisa at 480.518.1090 or at lwalker@vchstrojans.org. You may also find more information on her blog, http://forthekingdom-lisa.blogspot.com. - Lisa Walker Supporting Cinta Baca in Indonesia -- More than TESOL this year!
The fifth TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) conference was held in Indonesia, and planning for the sixth is already in progress! The primary purpose of the conference was to build the awareness and perception of Cinta Baca among the community. Cinta Baca provides many avenues to enhance literacy and provides a platform for Church Planters in villages and cities. The TESOL conference, sponsored by Cinta Baca, provides training for Indonesian teachers of English. This year a team also met with school administrators, education professors and Board of Education superintendents to discuss future professional development programs our TESOL team might offer. We were invited to give a two-hour impromptu staff development session the next day, and a representative from a school asked if we could begin a sister-school relationship. Many doors are opening through education to reach the nation with the highest Muslim population. We need a team of teachers for next year. If you are interested in being on the TESOL team, please contact KAT at 480.369.7316, or kthompson99@cox.net.
- Kat Thompson
Short-Term Student Team a Huge Success in Indonesia!
Last month I had the honor of leading a short-term mission trip to Indonesia. What an amazing, life-changing experience! Indonesia is a primarily Muslim and Buddhist nation, so the opportunity to minister was huge.  Eleven middle school and high school students and eight adults spent a week-and-a-half in the capital city of Jakarta. The purpose of our trip was to lead an English camp for Indonesian teenagers. About 50 Indonesian kids came to camp. Over the course of the camp we practiced English, played lots of fun games, ate together, toured Jakarta, worshipped through music and learned about the Lord through the camp speaker.  By the end of the camp, several students had made decisions for Jesus Christ. Many other Indonesian students were encouraged in their faith. Praise the Lord! I'm so proud of our Bethany middle school and high school students. They all did a phenomenal job and really focused on the mission of our trip--sharing the Good News of Jesus to the teens in Indonesia.
Over the last few days of the trip we enjoyed some sightseeing and cultural experiences. Some of these included a safari, walking through an Indonesian village, visiting a massive 7-story mall, touring the largest mosque in southeast Asia, sitting on a water buffalo in a river (seriously), touring the national monument, and more! To those of you who supported this trip, thank you so very much! Your gift was both necessary and effectively put to use.
I look forward to other mission trip opportunities as the Lord leads. Thanks so much for your encouragement and support, Bethany!
- Josh Harper, Transformers & Middle School Pastor
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| Missional Life - Community Outreach Update |
... 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
 Children First Academy of Tempe (CFA)
School starts on August 10. Please visit the website to learn about their various needs and how you might help. For additional information, please contact Beulah Montgomery, montgomery49@cox.net.
- Beulah Montgomery
I-HELP
Remember, our I-HELP homeless guests don't go on vacation. Your continued participation in the program, as God leads you, is greatly appreciated. For additional information on how you can get involved with the I-HELP program, contact Gen Garan, bggaran@earthlink.net, 480.839.4674, or Cheryl Chamberlain, cheryllynn2u@yahoo.com, 480.838.5188
- Gen Garan
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| Prayer Hope |
Psalm 69:13 says, But I keep on praying to you, Lord, hoping this is the time you will show me favor: In your unfailing love, O God, answer my prayer with your sure salvation.
 Let's look at this verse closely. The Psalmist implores us to keep on praying--to never give up. He speaks of our hope and how it is strengthened through prayer. There is the thought of God's unfailing love with which He answers our prayers (the answer to why God listens to us). And then we come to the whole crux of God's loving, hope-filled, unfailing answer--our sure salvation.
If we never receive another answer to our prayers but that we have a sure salvation in Christ, would we need any other reason to continue to pray? Do we need any other hope in response from our all loving God than the solid truth that we are saved and that He is preparing a place for us in Heaven? Maybe God's answer to all our prayers is, You have received a sure salvation for your faith so keep on praying and I will fill you with the hope of a better life to come. May the Holy Spirit provide you with all the assurance you need on your journey with Christ. God Bless.
- Partners in Prayer Team
Do you or someone you know need prayer? Please let us pray with you and for you.
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| Student Summer Camps a Huge Success! | |
MSM Hits Forest Home
 This summer, a smashing 54 students and 9 leaders headed to Forest Home in California for Summer Camp. The students had a truly incredible time and bonded together in an awesome way. The theme for the camp was Choose Your Own Adventure. The middle schoolers learned about choosing God's way for their life, which is definitely an adventure!
The wild and crazy games, zany Blob, lake, pool, mini golf, and other activities all fulfilled the high expectations. The band led us in passionate worship and our speaker challenged the students to definitively put Jesus in the driver's seat of our lives. Students entering grades 6 through 8 should plan on attending next summer.
Transformers Take on Prescott Pines
In mid July, the incoming fourth and fifth graders spent four memorable days at summer camp in Prescott. This year's camp was held at a new site--Prescott Pines.
 The students and leaders had an amazing time flying down the zip line, riding bikes on a dirt track, working on crafts, shooting arrows at a target, eating together, derby car racing, watching a woodpecker do its thing, swimming in the pool, shooting BB guns and more. The worship and teaching were focused on the Lord and perfect for this age group. Transformer's leaders engaged the kids in meaningful discussions and students grew in their faith. Student entering grades 4 and 5 this fall should plan on attending next summer. Don't miss out!
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I would like to thank you, the people of Bethany Community Church, so much for your generous contributions to the Benevolence Offering in May. We had numerous students attend both camps that would not otherwise be able to if Bethany had not provided financial support. Truly, your gifts made an enormous difference and helped change lives. All glory to God for these amazing camps!
- Josh Harper, Transformers & Middle School Pastor
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Are You Comfortable With Your Financial Situation? |
The other day I was sitting and talking to my daughter about getting her finances in order. While I was talking, she was rolling her eyes--sound familiar? She said, Mom, I'm not interested in your self-help programs. No thanks!
 As she was doing my nails, I said that I needed to review a DVD on Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University--would she bear with me? As I watched, I noticed her ears perked up and she started to giggle at Dave Ramsey's humor. When the DVD ended, I said, That wasn't so bad, was it? She replied, No, actually it sounds really interesting. I think I'd like to participate in this program. The Financial Guidance Team will be sponsoring Dave Ramsey's 13-week Financial Peace University starting August 25. The program is put together in such a way that finances can actually be fun. For additional information, see the Events page on the web or contact Debbie Wallace, 480.220.2580, crazewallace@cox.net. - Debbie Wallace |
| Phoenix Date Night for Couples |
 Monday, August 2 | 7pm | $5 per person
Arizona Grand Resort (formerly the Pointe at South Mountain) | I-10 & Baseline
This fun and inspiring evening features Dr. Gary Chapman, author of the international bestseller, The Five Love Languages. This book has helped millions of couples learn how  to give and receive love in their marriage. Our pastor, Rich Hendrix, recommends The Five Love Languages as one of his top-ten practical and helpful books for married couples. This evening will be an event for couples from all over the Valley. Come out and enjoy a date night with your spouse and cultivate the love between you. Register online at: www.datenightphx.com
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| Sewing Project to Help Foster Kids Hits Milestone! | |
A ministry to help foster kids has surpassed all expectations. So far, 3,500 pillowcases with drawstrings have been collected to help foster kids.
When children are taken out of the home due to abuse or neglect, Child Protective Services (CPS) uses black trash bags to put the child's belongings into. What message does that send to the child? The 3,500 pillowcases that have been lovingly sewn have been delivered to local CPS offices so they are used instead of the black trash bags.
If you sew or you know someone who likes to sew, we are looking for more volunteers. Patterns can be found at members.cox.net/sewingproject. For additional information, please contact Adriane Grimaldi at sewingproject@cox.net
- Adriane Grimaldi
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Upcoming Program and Event Highlights |
Fall programming starts the week of August 22!
Events
Programming Resumes Week of August 22
Children & Student Programs and Events
Splash! - Wednesdays through August 11
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