Dave Weller

Dave and his wife, Debbie, have been married over 32 years.  They have been blessed with four daughters and 11 grandchildren so far, with three more on the way in the first half of 2011. 

After graduating  from Ohio University with a degree in accounting, Dave served four years with the U.S. Navy, then went to work for the Department of Defense as a civilian for over seven years.  Dave has worked as an administrator of group health benefits for most of the past 25 years: first with a bank, then with State of Arizona Government and currently with a private consulting firm.

Dave began his walk with the Lord at age 11, but really made a commitment with his whole heart at about age 25.  Dave has been attending Bethany since the mid 1980s, and became a member in February, 1990.  In the late 80's and early 90's, Dave and Debbie served together in Children's Ministry teaching pre-school. 

From 1989 to 1997 they hosted a foreign exchange student each school year.  They have been involved with the International Student program at ASU for several years and hosted visiting delegates from City of Phoenix sister city, Chengdu, China.  Dave has served on the International Outreach/Missions Committee since 1996, including two years as chairman.  He has made multiple short-term mission trips to Russia, Mexico and Thailand.  Dave and Debbie are members of the Friends of Faith class. 

Dr. Ben C. Eubank
Ben Eubank is married to Dona.  They have four children and four grandchildren.  Ben originally joined Bethany in 1990 and left for a brief period of time during which he served on the elder board of Crossroads Community Church.  He served as their chairman along side Pastor Hendrix who at that time was their senior Pastor. 

Ben's gifts include administration, teaching and motivation.  He is active in service, having served humanity in thirty-nine countries. Currently he serves Bethany in Children's Ministry. 

Ben owns and operates two out-patient surgical centers where he is responsible for integrating and managing a large staff of doctors and nurses, as well as working with state and federal agencies.  Ben has been awarded a Life Time of Service Award by the President of the United States.

Jim Crocco

Jim and his wife, Ginny, have attended Bethany since 1991, becoming members soon thereafter. They have been active in a variety of ministries, including worship, greeting and small groups. They have three children and five grandchildren, and are blessed to have them all living nearby. They met in Arizona and were married at Williams Air Force Base in 1979.

Jim became a follower of Jesus when he first visited Calvary Baptist Church in Roseville, California, where he and Ginny were baptized together in 1982. They moved back to Arizona when Jim starting working for McDonnell Douglas, now Boeing. In 2001, Jim retired from the Air Force Reserve after serving 25 years on reserve and active duty, including a combat tour of duty during Desert Storm. His undergraduate engineering degree is from the Air Force Academy, and he earned his master's at Columbia University. For relaxation, Jim enjoys golf, jogging, in-line skating, watching the Diamondbacks, or playing with the grandkids.

Jim served on the Board of Elders twice in the past for nearly 5 years, including acting as chairman twice.  He last left the Board to become the part-time Executive Pastor in 2007, and full-time in 2008, before returning to be a volunteer in 2010. Currently, Jim facilitates a Bethany small group, sings on the worship team and in choir, greets on Sunday mornings, and helps with the Bethany website.

Dale Huizingh

Dale is an Arizona native and came to know Jesus as his savior at age 10. He is a graduate of Marcos de Niza High School and Arizona State University and works as an accounting manager for Empire Machinery in Mesa.

Dale and his wife, Kathy, have been members of Bethany since 1980. He is a member of the church's Finance Committee and helps organize Habitat for Humanity "Get Serving" opportunities. He has also served on the Elder Board three times previously.

He enjoys hiking, fishing, reading, travel and spending time with Kathy and his daughter and new son-in-law.

Are you interested in taking the love and grace of Jesus to those that need Him most? Come join us for an informational meeting about international short-term teams for 2011! This will be a great time to learn how we are connecting with people around the world and helping to fulfill the great commission. Beverages will be provided. Please register at www.bethanycommunity.com.

General Information on 2011 Short-Term Trips

Kosovo

     -Sports camp/Vision casting (May)

Mexico

     -Church partnership and music ministry (May)

     -Weekend trips to La Esperanza children's home (various dates)

Indonesia

     -Retreat for Indonesian church planters and mission leaders (June/July)

     -Summer English program (Cinta Baca) (June/July)

Russia

     -English and Bible camps for Russian students (June/July)

Haiti

     -Community development (Date TBD)

Contact John Wood, jwood@bethanycc.com, or Dan Mains, dmains@bethanycc.com, 480.831.5005, for more information!

Rather than begin the holiday break in our pajamas drinking hot chocolate, UthBuild made a trek to Sonora, Mexico, to share goodwill and God's love. With the generous donations of toys, blankets, food and clothes from the Bethany Community Church family and others, we were able to help more than 30 families. Barbara Fuller and Ron Finger organized this trip that allowed them, Pastor Dave Robinson, and 16 other adults and UthBuild members to renew friendships, pray and share the love of Jesus Christ during the Christmas season. Bethany Learning Center, led by Pat Sullivan, helped contribute such cherished toys as Barbie dolls, Hot Wheels, teddy bears and board games. 

What was exceptional about this trip was that we were able to visit all nine homeowners for whom we have built in the past two years. It was heartwarming to see the smiles on the faces of the children as they received a shiny truck, a candy cane or new board game. Warm, wintry handmade beanies were knit by Becca Goodwin, Elecia Caraballo, Rylee Finger and Lyndzee Dietz, keeping 60 heads warm during cold winter days and nights. 

The highlight of the trip was when we stopped at Reynaldo's home. We greeted him, his lovely wife, Cecilia, and their six beautiful children still at home with them. As Reynaldo praised God for answering his prayers for some encouragement and food, their family blessed us by singing How Great Thou Art in Spanish. There were many tears of joy and gratitude shed. This could not have been a more spiritually perfect moment in time.

As we look ahead to 2011, UthBuild is already preparing to go to serve the poor in Rocky Point March 13-18.  With God's grace, we hope to build two or three houses for hurting families who need the blessing of a home and the truth of the gospel to be shown to them. Almost 900 square feet of roofing will be laid and 42 rafters cut. One hundred eighty three studs will be cut to support these hand-constructed homes.  Over 2,050 feet of stucco is carefully mixed and applied to the house. Along with all the building efforts, in one week we will feed the crew and neighbors at least 240 peanut butter sandwiches for lunch; grilled potatoes, onions, eggs and bacon for breakfast; not to mention burgers, chicken and fajitas for a crew of 30.

If your heart calls you to build, please contact us through UthBuild.org or at UthBuild@yahoo.com. If your heart calls you to donate, please contact Pastor Dave Robinson for more information.  The students of UthBuild need to raise $12,000 to fund the building of these houses. 

Thank you for sending us to these beautiful people, bringing Christmas to them in the form of nearly 400 pounds of rice, food, toys, blankets and beanies. You have blessed over 100 people with your gifts. We serve a mighty God-thank you for being part of the miracle. We are grateful!

- Ann Bingham, UthBuild Parent & Builder