Bethany is a congregation of individuals who share one thing, an overwhelming love for Christ. Please take a few minutes to investigate how our commitment to Him is carried out through our many ministries and activities. Join us as we rejoice in the gift of the Holy Spirit celebrating the love of Christ by sharing it with our neighbors. Why not join us in worship this Sunday?
If you haven't yet visited Bethany in person, we invite you to join us for worship Sundays at 10:00 a.m. for our blended service. We are located at 1833 South Burdick Street, just south of the central city. For more information on where we are and where to park, click here.
Celebrate!
Celebrate with us as we discover the power of the Holy Spirit and the revealing of God's plan of salvation for all who believe in Him. "God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die." (John 3:16 CEV)
Please join us each Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. for our blended worship service utilizing traditonal hymns and contemporary Christian music. When you visit Bethany, stop by the Visitor's Table located outside of the office on the upper floor of the north wing. In addition to answering all of your questions, we have a coffee mug and pen to remind you of your visit.
Neighborhood Ministries
Bethany ministers to the neighborhood through several special programs throughout the year. In the spring the Hot Dog Roast provides an end of winter celebration and a chance to meet the neighbors. Our summer Bible School is a children's ministry opportunity. In August the Back To School Carnival is a time of fun, games and snacks as well as back to school supplies and back packs. At Thanksgiving and Easter a limited number of food baskets are available. Watch the web site for more information about all of these programs.
The Christian Resource Center is housed at Bethany but is an independently funded mission. The Christian Resource Center can provide limited help for those facing eviction or power shut offs. For information on what services are available contact them on Monday-Thursdays from 12:00 noon until 2:00 p.m.
Food Security
Ministries
Bethany, in cooperation with Loaves and Fishes, the Salvation Army, and Greenwood Reformed Church sponsors a monthly food distribution at the Salvation Army. This program, in addition to the Food Pantry, will provide food to all who come. Held the fourth Wednesday of each month, volunteers are needed to prepare the food for distribution, help distribute the items and assist the recipients in carrying the items to their cars. To volunteer or for more information, contact info@bethany-kalamazoo.org. In the picture at the right, Sebastian deCastro packages cabbages for distribution. For more pictures click here.
Bethany also sponsors the Back Pack Buddies program at Kalamazoo Public School's Washington Writers Academy. Each week more than a hundred students receive a back pack of food to help provide food security over the weekend. Over 98% of all students at Washington qualify for free or reduced cost lunches. The Back Pack Buddies program is supported by the Bethany congregation and is augmented by grants and fund raisers. In the photo at left, Bethany member Joyce Budge purchases a special fund raising cookbook from Lori Moore of WKZO radio.
Bethany's oldest food ministry is a Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry founded in the early 1980's. The pantry is located in the Friendship House immediately adjacent to the church. Bethany feeds more than 150 families a month through the food pantry ministry. For information on receiving food from the Loaves and Fishes pantry system, contact them at (269) 343-FOOD.For more information on how you can help Bethany provide food security for our neighbors, contact us at info@bethany-kalamazoo.org.
The Restore Ministry--Restorative Justice In Action
The Restore Ministry at the Friendship House is a program to support those returning from incarceration. The goal of Restore is to work "in harmony with the restorative work of God, and seek to become an instrument of Grace through a ministry of healing and growth for individuals and their families as they face the transition from incarceration to community life." Bethany is the primary sponsor of this program which is a part of The Friendship House, a 501-c3 non-profit agency. For more information on the Restore program visit their website or contact Sebastian deCastro at restore@iserv.net or (269) 552-4728.
Rey de Reyes
Bethany shares our building with Rey de Reyes, a Spanish language congregation pastored by Candido Linares. Join them for worship Sundays at 5:00 p.m. in the Chapel and Bible study on Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. For more information, contact info@bethany-kalamazoo.org.
Sharing Our Vision
As a part of Bethany's self-study and decision making process, the people of Bethany spent a time of prayer and study to discern God's purpose for our ministry. See the vision statement by clicking here. These goals are our mission; please remain in prayer for the process of discernment and the answers we seek.
Online Resources Available
Bethany has several resources available on the Media page. Each Sunday's sermon may be downloaded in MP3 format. Back issues of the church newsletter, The Clarion, are available as well as photos of church events. Click on the Media link on the left to discover all Bethany has to offer.
Weather Cancellations
When weather conditions are severe enough to cause cancellation of a scheduled service or activity notification will be made through this website as well as on WWMT channel 3. A decision to cancel a morning worship service will be made by 8:30 a.m.
