Bethany Christian Church

Looking for a concise overview & description of the Christian Church? This terrific article by Leroy Lawson entitled "What Kind Of Church Is This?" is a good place to start; check it out and then come back to find out more about us! While you're there, feel free to look around the site for more indepth information.

We believe in one Almighty God who created the universe. He sent his only Son into the world to save us, not because of our works but because of our faith.

A Brief History

The Early Church...

In Acts 2 the church is born. Following Jesus’ resurrection and ascension into heaven, God sends His Holy Spirit on a group of believers and the church comes to life. Peter preached the first sermon and about 3,000 people accepted the message, responded in faith, were baptized, and added to the church. The life and fellowship of this first congregation of believers is described in Acts 2:42-47.

“They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

As Christianity moved to the “new world,” it brought with it all the denominational divisions, creeds, and sectarianism of the “old world.” In the 1800's several individuals, who were at first working independently, made a plea for the unity of all believers under the Lordship of Jesus, the authority of the Bible, and to simply call themselves “Christian.”

Bethany Christian Church met for the first time on September 25, 1898. The original meeting place was on top the hill, just south of Killbuck Creek, on the west side of Rangleline Road. Bethany has changed locations and buildings over it’s 100 year history, but continues to live out the desire for the unity of all believers under the Lordship of Jesus, the authority of the Bible, and to simply call ourselves “Christian.” We are an undenominational body of believers who seek to honor Christ.

As a body of believers we want to fulfill God’s mission for the church of making disciples. A disciple is a life-long follower of Jesus Christ. As Jesus prepared to return to Heaven He gave these final instructions to the church:

"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20)

Bethany Christian Church exists for the two-fold purpose of evangelism and edification.

Everything we do to help bring people into a saved relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Evangelism includes what we do locally, nationally, and around the world to help people come to know Jesus as their Savior.

Everything we do to help believers grow and mature in their relationship with God. Accepting Jesus as Savior is where new life begins. Edification includes all we do to encourage, teach, train, equip, and mature one another in the faith.

As followers of Jesus our desire is to worship and honor God with every aspect of our lives. Our lives are a reflection of our gratitude and thanksgiving for God’s love and grace.