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Lead Pastor's Annual Report 2021

Held Back but Moving Forward!

 I am thankful that God knows what He is doing because there certainly have been times when I was unsure of what to do. Perhaps you have felt that way at times. 

Thank God for His word, which continually assures us that we will move ahead in times when things are held back. God’s Word continually gives us encouraging words such as “fear not” or “I am with you” or to be “strong in the Lord and in the power of His might”. Possibly the most popular verse we use in times like this is, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJ)  The truth is that God is never held back from doing His will. Our job is to pray that God’s will is accomplished in our lives, in our church and in our community. 

At Bethel we want to “Be-the-Light” that shines in a world that desperately needs to know the peace and love of God… a light that is steadfast in troubled times. It will be interesting to find out what our church and community will look like as we start to live in a post-Covid world. 

As I have been seeking the Lord for direction in our church, I know that God will be moving in the following areas:

  • To recreate community : Our hope is to create an environment of warmth and inclusion once again; to feel that we are a family and to know that we are cared for. This atmosphere of love and acceptance has been difficult to feel or experience when limited by pandemic restrictions. Our prayer is that God will restore friendship and fellowship as we seek to allow opportunities for Him to minister to us, whether in person or online, in a large group setting or church event, and in home groups when we are able to meet safely. This may take time, but it is worth the effort of everybody to create the sureness of being loved in an unsure world. I know that God is pleased when we live together in a loving, unified community.

 

  • To be a church in our community, for our community :  In 2022 Bethel will serve a distinct role as a church in Brandon. God is going to use our church to prove to our community that God loves them. Obviously, that can not be done by confining ourselves to the four walls of our building. It is true that people don’t care what you know until they know that you care. As we continue to create opportunities to serve our community, we are trusting that the Holy Spirit will use these acts of love to reveal His love and care for lost people who are desperately looking for hope and life.

 

  • To be multi-generational, multi-cultural, multi-faceted :  Bethel has always sought to be a church that serves every generation. We want to do our best to minister to everyone who calls Bethel home. We also want to reach and include every culture as we seek to reach the mosaic of believers and people we now have in our community. God is calling us to reach, include and welcome every culture to incorporate all their gifts, talents and contributions to reach our new world. We want to eliminate any cultural or language barriers so that every person can truly feel loved and at home irrespective of race or culture. We also desire to be multifaceted, continuing to be versatile in changing times. We want to be effective in inviting people to a life that matters.

 

  •  To be a church which is inviting : Recently God has been revealing to me as we go ahead in these unique times that there is a challenge to be a church that is inviting; inviting in a number of ways. Not only is God calling Bethel to invite the lost to come to know Him but also to invite each other to walk closely with Jesus together. God will be asking us to engage in a new level of hospitality in exercising true love for each other. I know that God’s richest blessing will be found in these efforts. Perhaps most of all, we will be inviting the Holy Spirit to move, to change, to save, to heal and deliver. The altar at our church will be opened regularly to allow God to do the work He desires in us. Any positive and lasting change will happen because the Spirit of God is in charge!

Thank you for your prayers. They certainly have been needed as we navigated in uncharted waters. Thank you to all staff and leadership who have worked so hard to serve our church so that we can “Be-the-Love”, “Be-the-Life” and “Be-the-Link”. Thanks for your patience. It has not been easy on any of us but with God’s help we will make it. Thanks for your participation. Church life does not go ahead without people who love Jesus sacrificing hours to kingdom work. And finally, thanks for your support. It has kept our ministries afloat as we have sought to reach people. 

Simply put, this church is not a building; it is a family of people who love Jesus, who join together for the cause of Christ to fulfill the great commandment and the great commission. 

We look forward to what God will do in 2022!

Pastor Mike Gordon

2021 Kids@Bethel Report

Report from Pastor Stephen on ministry for Children (6m-Grade 4), Junior Youth (Grades 5-8)  Presented at Bethel Brandon's 2021 Annual General Meeting (April 24, 2022).

2021 Salt & Light Youth Report

This is your sub-headline

Pastor Bryce will present the Senior Youth (Grades 9-12) ministry at Bethel Brandon. Presented at Bethel Brandon's 2021 Annual General Meeting (April 24, 2022).

2021 Missions and Outreach Report

2021 Annual Missions report resented by Sherilyn Bambridge at Bethel Brandon's 2021 Annual General Meeting (April 24, 2022).

2021 Annual Financial Report

2021 Annual Financial Report presented by Neal Boyce at Bethel Brandon's 2021 Annual General Meeting (April 24, 2022).

Financial Report 2021

God's Faithfulness

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