World Missions at Bethel

Before our Lord Jesus ascended into heaven, He gathered His disciples and told them to “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:18-20). As a community, Bethel has committed to obeying Jesus’ command in Bannerman, our own neighbourhoods, and to the ends of the earth.

One part of “A Dream for Bethel” is that in 10 years there will be a “widespread commitment to world mission in our church” and that we “will have an area or two where we have an established partnership that includes trips by groups of Bethel members to the mission site, reciprocal visits and/or communication from the people on the field, and frequent reports and contact.”

I am happy to say we are well on our way to achieving this dream. A couple of positive signs point to this:

First: From December 31 to January 8th our youth went for the fifth straight year to visit Pastor Arturo Aguirre’s church in Hermosillo, Mexico. During their time there they visited the aboriginal Seri people and gave clothing, spent time in prayer at a hospital, painted the church, and ran children’s and evangelism programs. One highlight was Bethany Snaterse sharing her testimony through a drama. Since the relationship began with Hermosillo, it has blossomed and grown. Bethel Youth now supports Pastor Arturo monthly. You can look forward to hearing more about this soon. 

Second: The World Missions Team has undergone a process of discernment for the last year. They have asked questions like “Where have we been?” and “Where is God leading us in the future?” While continuing to keep up relationships in Nicaragua, Bethel now also supports Missionaries in El Salvador’s Seeds of New Creation Center. World Missions giving has grown. Shelly Billiald is leading a team of Bethelites to El Salvador and Nicaragua in the Spring to further the discernment process for future partnerships and trips. God is certainly up to something great! If you are interested in being part of Bethel’s World Missions conversation, please do not hesitate to contact the World Missions team.

It is in prayer that we find our place in life and this world. In prayer we see the hand of God making all things new. As a community we must continue to cover in prayer all the elements of “A Dream for Bethel.” Have a blessed week.

--Pastor Ryan

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