In 1985, my husband and I, along with our two children, ages 12 and 15, moved from Hillsboro, Oregon, to Cornelius, North Carolina.

We visited several churches but could not find the one we felt was part of God’s plan for our family. At the encouragement of our children, we visited Bethel. On that first visit, we knew that Bethel was where God wanted us to be, as the love, peace, and joy of the Holy Spirit were so evident in that service. Our children, Taylor and Megan, grew spiritually as they attended Sunday school and worship.

My husband, Howard, was in an auto accident in the 1980s and suffered a traumatic brain injury. Bethel became our haven of comfort and a place of deep spiritual growth. The faith of Taylor and Megan grew phenomenally as our family learned to trust the Lord for our basic needs, supported by the prayers of our church family. Our friends at Bethel—especially the youth group leaders, Rich and Martha Landis—surrounded us with prayer and love. Pastor Didi Wayland was an amazing source of spiritual guidance for all four of us.

In later years, Howard and I served as deacons, choir members, and Sunday school teachers; I also served as an elder. When I reflect on our 35 years at Bethel, the word “love” comes to mind. As God showed us His grace and love there, we, in turn, loved those who loved us, prayed for us, and taught us the Scriptures. Thanks be to God for a church called Bethel.

We were at Bethel Church from 1997 to 2008, and it turned out to be the most crucial part of our marriage and our lives. I was a believer in Christ and had a personal relationship with Him, but my husband Len, who grew up in the Catholic faith, didn’t understand what that meant. We had a good marriage, but something was missing. Throughout our marriage, my prayer had been Psalm 37:4: “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” God answered that prayer at Bethel.

We were invited to join a Sunday School class, and since Len knew a few of the members, he agreed to go. That class changed his life. We were studying The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren, and God spoke powerfully to Len through that book and class. The Lord opened his heart, and for the first time, Len understood what it meant to be saved. That began a lifelong faith journey.

When we moved away, Len and I were now a team, able to share the love of Christ wherever we went. God heard and answered my prayers. May He continue to bless Bethel, and may many more come to personal faith in Christ through its ministries.

Deb and I, along with our children, have been members of Bethel Church for more than 50 years, and it has been a privilege and an honor to belong to a church family for that long.

I’ve had the honor of serving Bethel as both a Deacon and an Elder and have worked on many projects as the church grew. Bethel Presbyterian Church was founded in 1828. The Sanctuary was built in 1895 and enlarged in 1978, followed by the addition of the Celeste McShane Gallant Family Life Center in 1992. At the time, we didn’t realize what an impact the FLC would have, but it gave us flexibility in worship, fellowship, and Sunday School options. I was happy to be part of the in-house fundraising, and our success came from everyone getting involved—designing, pledging, and decorating together.

My faith continues to grow each day because of my experiences at Bethel—our church family, Bible studies, mission trips, and Sunday School. We’ve watched Bethel grow from a little country church to a vibrant place of worship that serves a wide community, bringing in more children and families seeking to grow closer to God.

To serve Jesus Christ, we must continue to grow and reach out further into our community, ministering to those in need.

Both my husband Jim and I grew up in Christian homes and were grounded in faith from early childhood. However, upon our marriage, we struggled to find a church home, even though we visited several congregations. When we began building our home on Lake Norman, we found Bethel Presbyterian Church and knew immediately this was where we were meant to be.

During our years there, we found many opportunities for growth as we were called to serve in various ways. We were active in the Hub Knox Sunday School Class, which I occasionally taught. Jim served as both a Deacon and Elder and was chair of the Diaconate when a renovation of the sanctuary was completed through the sale of bonds. For several years, he directed a teenage boys’ band on Wednesday nights.

The many faithful men and women of Bethel, under the leadership of Ed Wayland, nurtured my faith. Over the years, I served as Bethel’s first woman deacon and later its first woman elder. I was part of the first Christian Education Committee at Bethel and later served on the Presbytery’s CE Committee. I taught Sunday School at various levels, led the youth choir, sang in the choir, and was active in Presbyterian Women, where I was honored with a Lifetime Membership.

Upon retirement, we moved to Blowing Rock, NC, and later became active members of Davidson College Presbyterian Church. Still, Bethel remains a treasured and foundational part of my spiritual life.

My experience with Bethel began with a leap of faith. My call to serve as Director of Christian Education came from an unexpected divine appointment with Bethel’s soon-to-be pastor, Bill Cain. God had placed a call on my heart to work with children, but becoming a DCE meant uprooting my family and moving to a new state in the middle of a severe economic recession. Yet once I met the search committee, I knew Bethel was where I belonged—I felt like I was with family.

During my fourteen years at Bethel, my faith grew in three distinct ways. First, it was stretched and strengthened. Developing new programs, creating curriculum, and adapting to change taught me to depend fully on the Holy Spirit. When I relied on myself, I failed—but even in failure, God deepened my faith and reliance on Him.

My faith was also refreshed through Bethel’s children. Their awe, curiosity, and joy reminded me of Jesus’ words that we must become like little children to enter His Kingdom. Finally, my faith in God’s provision and in the church itself grew tremendously. When my husband was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, Bethel surrounded us with love—driving him to work, bringing meals, even tending our yard. After his passing, they continued to hold me up in faith.

For most of my young adult life, I was a “lone ranger” Christian—loving Jesus but avoiding the church. What a fool I was! Now I know you cannot have one without the other. Many of the prayers I offered during my time at Bethel are being answered even now. Thanks be to God.

When Diane and I moved to Charlotte for work, we didn’t know many people and deeply missed our family and friends. We trusted that God had a plan for us, but we weren’t sure what it would look like. I prayed that we would find connection at Bethel—and God answered that prayer in ways I never expected.

Before long, Diane and I were given the opportunity to start a new adult Sunday School class, even though I had never led one before. As we prayed and planned, the Holy Spirit led me to outline a vision for a class that would encourage full participation and genuine fellowship. Pastor Rob Hinman enthusiastically supported the idea, and with just two other couples, the “Purpose Seekers” class was born.

What began as a small gathering in the house across from Bethel quickly grew. Within months, we ran out of space and moved into the “Hut.” Each week, new faces joined us, and our format—short lessons followed by discussion, prayer, and personal testimonies—brought us all closer to God and to one another. We even traveled together twice to The Cove, Billy Graham’s Training Center, for times of deep spiritual renewal.

Through Bethel and the Purpose Seekers, Diane and I found the family we had been praying for. Our faith and friendships flourished, and we witnessed spiritual growth in remarkable ways—including some members accepting Christ for the first time. Bethel was truly an incredible gift that Jesus gave us at just the right time, and we will always be grateful for the love, peace, and joy we experienced there.

Bethel Church became an important part of my Christian life when Gaye and I moved to Cornelius in 1999. As my faith grew stronger through the encouragement of fellow believers, I taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, and served as an elder. Those experiences—combined with deep Christian fellowship, Bible studies, and close relationships with pastors and members—provided a solid foundation for my walk with Christ.

Bethel Church was instrumental in encouraging my continued walk with Christ. The foundation was the authenticity with which Bethel proclaimed that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior. I was blessed to serve in many ways—choir, personnel committee, women’s ministry, prayer ministry, and as a deacon. My heart for Christ was enriched by the truth taught so clearly through preaching and adult Sunday School. My experience at Bethel deeply strengthened my faith, and I remain profoundly thankful.

I have many fond memories of my 20 years at Bethel. My faith grew in many ways through the love and friendship of others.

While at Bethel, I became a Stephen Minister, a ministry that has continued to shape my faith throughout my life. The Lord has truly blessed me, and I pray He continues to bless the renovation project at Bethel.

As I reflect on the 15 years Keith and I have been part of Bethel Presbyterian Church, I am truly overwhelmed with gratitude. We first visited in 2010 and immediately met people who remain close friends today. Within days, I was attending Lunch Bunch, Bible study, and women’s retreats, while Keith joined men’s prayer breakfasts, Sunday School, and Wednesday suppers. In just a few months, we felt we had found our home—spiritually and relationally.

Being part of a church “home” means sharing life with people who bring their experiences into your own. We celebrated many joyful moments together, and that same faith community helped us endure the challenges of undergoing cancer treatments at the same time in 2017. We never felt alone. Our faith grew stronger through the support and prayers of our Bethel family.

Now living in Spartanburg, SC, near our daughter and son-in-law, our hearts remain connected to Bethel. We may never see the completed results of the building campaign, and that’s okay—it’s not really about us. It’s about creating a renewed “home” for future generations, ensuring that Bethel remains a vital part of Christ’s work in Cornelius.

We take comfort in the words of Joshua 1:9: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Bethel gave us that courage—and a family of faith that will always remain part of us.