The New Era
By Philip Stohrer
As Pastor Kraai assumed the role of executive pastor in 1976, the neighborhood and the church began a time of revitalization. Government monies helped to slow the spread of urban deterioration and many of the homes in the neighborhood, while still rentals, were refurbished. The new residents were more transient and did not develop the same relationship with the church as the former neighbors.
The changes in the church continued as well. As many of the original members passed away they were replaced by younger more mobile members. Some lived in the neighborhood for a time and then moved on. Others were attracted to Bethany by its ministry and drove across town to get there. The drop in numbers slowed and the membership took on a new diversity.
During Rev. Kraai's tenure Bethany first began to explore neighborhood ministry in a new light. No longer would the goal be to attract large numbers of new members from the immediate neighborhood but rather to serve the needs of the neighbors while supporting the programs with members attracted from throughout the entire city. For a time this was successful. Bethany was able to continue supporting its traditional foreign missionaries while becoming a new missionary church to the city.
The seventy-fifth anniversary of the church was celebrated in 1980. It was a time of celebrating the old and the new, reminiscing and planning for the future. The congregation recognized the leadership of God in their plans and rededicated themselves to carrying out His will in south central Kalamazoo.
When Pastor Kraai left in 1984 the church and the neighborhood were on the edge of change once again. As the Rev. Rick Oppenhuizen became the pastor in 1985 the neighborhood began a slow descent. As federal programs were terminated, assistance for the area became scarce. Absentee landlords did little but collect the rent. The persons willing to live in such houses were increasingly needy. As the 1990's dawned, south central Kalamazoo became the poorest area in the city.
Bethany continued to respond to the needs of the neighborhood by increasing the number of help programs it offered. Vacation Bible School no longer offered just cookies for snacks, whole meals were served. Traditional fund raisers like ice cream socials and dinners became free events to serve the neighbors. The parsonage became "Friendship House" where neighbors could come to find not only a kind word but groceries and help with other financial problems. Several nights a week Narcotics Anonymous met there as well. Bethany began to be a brighter light in an ever darkening city.
Bethany was undergoing changes as well. As the building aged maintenance costs increased. Older members on fixed incomes were less able to respond financially. Other members left to attend churches that had fled to the suburbs. Some potential members found the neighborhood too threatening, but others saw the need for God's work in the neighborhood and stayed. The Reformed Church, too, saw the need for mission in the city and began to provide funding for urban churches that remained. Under Pastor Oppenhuizen's leadership, Bethany entered a new era by returning to its roots. It was once again a mission church, but with a new mission to new neighbors.
When the Reverend Dr. Robert Terwilliger was called in 1998, Bethany was well established as an urban ministry church. Under his direction, however, Bethany has added the Restore Ministry, an outreach to prisoners and those recently released from incarceration. In addition, the Christian Resource Center has made the Friendship House their home as well. The congregation has remained stable and shown some growth. As the congregation prepared for the centennial, the building was refurbished. Bethany was looking forward to the next 100 years of God's leading.
When Dr. Terwilliger retired in 2013, Rev. Steve Harthorn was called as Bethany's fourteenth pastor. While his tenure was short, leaving in 2017, he helped to create a significant new program called Project Light. This group of dedicated leaders started a program to interact directly with the neighbors and discover what they needed in the neighborhood surrounding the church. One of the first requests was increased lighting around the church to help discourage vandalism and drug abuse. This led to installing yard lights along High Street as well. While an attempt to rehab a house led to disappointment as the damage to it was too great to be financially viable, the Project Light Team did learn to start with smaller projects that were successful. Benches installed around the church and a Little Free Library have proven to be popular with the neighbors. Additionally, a series of simple neighborhood activities was begun. Friday Night Family Movie Nights and Crafts and Snacks programs scattered through the year reminds the neighbors that we are there for them.
The Reverend David Zomer became the fifteenth pastor at Bethany in 2018. Dave had grown up in Bethany, but when he began his ministry, he felt called into missions. After serving in Hungary, Rome and Sicily he went to Powell River Reformed Church in British Columbia, Canada. When he returned to Kalamazoo, he brought his heart for mission with him. Dave and Villo have refurbished the old parsonage and live there as part of their ministry to the neighborhood. The story of Bethany's mission to the Southside of Kalamazoo continues under new leadership.
The changes in the church continued as well. As many of the original members passed away they were replaced by younger more mobile members. Some lived in the neighborhood for a time and then moved on. Others were attracted to Bethany by its ministry and drove across town to get there. The drop in numbers slowed and the membership took on a new diversity.
During Rev. Kraai's tenure Bethany first began to explore neighborhood ministry in a new light. No longer would the goal be to attract large numbers of new members from the immediate neighborhood but rather to serve the needs of the neighbors while supporting the programs with members attracted from throughout the entire city. For a time this was successful. Bethany was able to continue supporting its traditional foreign missionaries while becoming a new missionary church to the city.
The seventy-fifth anniversary of the church was celebrated in 1980. It was a time of celebrating the old and the new, reminiscing and planning for the future. The congregation recognized the leadership of God in their plans and rededicated themselves to carrying out His will in south central Kalamazoo.
When Pastor Kraai left in 1984 the church and the neighborhood were on the edge of change once again. As the Rev. Rick Oppenhuizen became the pastor in 1985 the neighborhood began a slow descent. As federal programs were terminated, assistance for the area became scarce. Absentee landlords did little but collect the rent. The persons willing to live in such houses were increasingly needy. As the 1990's dawned, south central Kalamazoo became the poorest area in the city.
Bethany continued to respond to the needs of the neighborhood by increasing the number of help programs it offered. Vacation Bible School no longer offered just cookies for snacks, whole meals were served. Traditional fund raisers like ice cream socials and dinners became free events to serve the neighbors. The parsonage became "Friendship House" where neighbors could come to find not only a kind word but groceries and help with other financial problems. Several nights a week Narcotics Anonymous met there as well. Bethany began to be a brighter light in an ever darkening city.
Bethany was undergoing changes as well. As the building aged maintenance costs increased. Older members on fixed incomes were less able to respond financially. Other members left to attend churches that had fled to the suburbs. Some potential members found the neighborhood too threatening, but others saw the need for God's work in the neighborhood and stayed. The Reformed Church, too, saw the need for mission in the city and began to provide funding for urban churches that remained. Under Pastor Oppenhuizen's leadership, Bethany entered a new era by returning to its roots. It was once again a mission church, but with a new mission to new neighbors.
When the Reverend Dr. Robert Terwilliger was called in 1998, Bethany was well established as an urban ministry church. Under his direction, however, Bethany has added the Restore Ministry, an outreach to prisoners and those recently released from incarceration. In addition, the Christian Resource Center has made the Friendship House their home as well. The congregation has remained stable and shown some growth. As the congregation prepared for the centennial, the building was refurbished. Bethany was looking forward to the next 100 years of God's leading.
When Dr. Terwilliger retired in 2013, Rev. Steve Harthorn was called as Bethany's fourteenth pastor. While his tenure was short, leaving in 2017, he helped to create a significant new program called Project Light. This group of dedicated leaders started a program to interact directly with the neighbors and discover what they needed in the neighborhood surrounding the church. One of the first requests was increased lighting around the church to help discourage vandalism and drug abuse. This led to installing yard lights along High Street as well. While an attempt to rehab a house led to disappointment as the damage to it was too great to be financially viable, the Project Light Team did learn to start with smaller projects that were successful. Benches installed around the church and a Little Free Library have proven to be popular with the neighbors. Additionally, a series of simple neighborhood activities was begun. Friday Night Family Movie Nights and Crafts and Snacks programs scattered through the year reminds the neighbors that we are there for them.
The Reverend David Zomer became the fifteenth pastor at Bethany in 2018. Dave had grown up in Bethany, but when he began his ministry, he felt called into missions. After serving in Hungary, Rome and Sicily he went to Powell River Reformed Church in British Columbia, Canada. When he returned to Kalamazoo, he brought his heart for mission with him. Dave and Villo have refurbished the old parsonage and live there as part of their ministry to the neighborhood. The story of Bethany's mission to the Southside of Kalamazoo continues under new leadership.
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