​GOING BIG IN BANNERMAN

​GOING BIG IN BANNERMAN

More and more, Bethel Church is being seen as a vital partner in our church’s community. We regularly work together with the Bannerman Community League to put on special events. I also meet monthly with local community leaders to discuss how we can add value to the neighborhood through our joint efforts. Now our church is about to make our biggest investment yet into the Bannerman community.

As you will recall we raised an amazing $284,702 through our recent ALL IN Campaign in support of the Fort Saskatchewan church plant and related causes. We specified that everything we raised above our $250,000 goal would be invested directly into the Bannerman Community. That means we have nearly $35,000 to invest, once all the pledges are honored. (There may even be more, if the funds designated for hiring a new pastor are not all spent.)

I recently approached the local Community League to get their input into how we should spend this money. In response they invited me to a planning meeting being held this week to identify their strategic priorities for the coming years.

This invitation is a big step in our partnership with the community, and it’s a huge honor. This goes well beyond doing a joint project together. The Community League wants Bethel to be in on the ground floor of their thinking and strategizing for the neighborhood we all care so much about!

I will share any information I receive with our newly appointed “Bless Bannerman Team.” This team will meet on February 11 with our community social worker to try to formulate a proposal about how to spend our dollars in Bannerman.

​ The Bless Bannerman Team consists of Carley Clarke, Ed Dubbeldam, Calvin Vander Leest, Sid VanderMeulen, and myself. As we prepare to make this big investment, I encourage you to give us any information you think might help us to bless our local community! --Pastor Tom

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