We’re grateful for the steady progress being made as we move toward the next phase of Bethel’s Building Campaign. Over the next several weeks, Randy Ford will be meeting with several lending institutions to explore financing options that best support the scope and long-term sustainability of the project.

 Once those conversations are complete, the Finance Committee will review the information, compare the options, and prepare a recommendation. Their goal is to identify a path that reflects both sound stewardship and our shared vision for ministry growth.

The Finance Committee’s recommendation will then be brought to the Session for discussion and approval. After the Session discerns the best way forward, the proposed plan will be presented to the congregation for your consideration and approval.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support as we move forward together.

Thanks,

David

Dear Bethel Family,

What a special day we shared two weeks ago coming together in worship, offering thanks for God’s faithfulness, and enjoying a wonderful time of fellowship. Our hearts are full of gratitude as we celebrate how God continues to move through our congregation. Thank you for your generosity and your commitment to Growing in Faith. We are thrilled to share that the total pledged was $8,453,617.00, and we praise God for every gift and every step of faith represented.

What’s next?
Because pledges will be fulfilled over the next three years, Session and the Finance Committee will now begin working through financing options. The Finance Team will meet with banks to discuss terms and loan possibilities, after which Session will develop a recommendation for how to move forward. We expect to have all the details for you in January at which time they will be shared with the congregation for approval. In the meantime, the Build Team will continue refining pricing for Phase 1, and the Campaign Team will shift into the R.E.A.C.H. phase – focused on ongoing communication, encouragement, and engagement over the coming months and years.

Can I still pledge?
Yes! If you haven’t yet participated, you can still complete your pledge, or make a gift, through our website. Paper commitment cards are also available in the church office and may be returned to Allen Hauser.

Stay informed…
Please continue to check the Growing in Faith portion of our website for the latest updates, FAQs, and resources. 

Thank you again for your prayers, your generosity, and your faithfulness. It is truly exciting to witness how God is at work at Bethel, and we look forward to all He will continue to do in the days ahead.

With gratitude,
The Growing in Faith Campaign Team

The Campaign Leadership Team met this week and continues to be encouraged by the great momentum and engagement across our church family. The meeting began with a devotion from Romans 12, reminding us to serve faithfully and joyfully as one body. The team reviewed all the updated campaign resources now available on Bethel’s website—including key dates, Faith Stories, FAQs, and the online Commitment Card—with more content coming soon. Excitement is building for the upcoming milestone dates: Commitment Sunday on November 16 and Celebration Sunday on November 23, when we’ll gather for one service followed by a covered-dish luncheon.

Each team shared positive progress—Affinity Groups have met with most of their groups, the Build Team is finalizing plans for the Children’s Ministry Wing, and the Prayer Team is preparing for the 24-hour Prayer Vigil. Meanwhile, children, youth, and preschool ministries are joyfully engaging in campaign-related lessons and activities, and the Gratitude and Celebration Teams are helping us remember and celebrate how God has worked through Bethel’s people across generations. Thank you for your continued prayers and participation as we keep Growing in Faith together!

Happening Now

The Gratitude Sermon Series continues through November—Week 3 on November 2, Week 4 on November 9, and Week 5 on November 16, which is also Commitment Sunday.

Up Next

On November 23, the congregation will gather for Celebration and Announcement Sunday, followed by a covered dish lunch.

Later in November and into early December, the Session and Finance Teams will review funding plans based on the commitments received. If needed, a congregational meeting to vote on these plans will be scheduled between mid-December and early January.

Looking Forward

Construction on the Children’s Ministry Wing is expected to begin in February or March, with the congregation contributing financially through 2028 according to their commitments.

Please join us on Wednesday, November 12th at 6:30pm for a presentation and conversation on different ways to support the Capital Campaign (or just charitable giving in general), including options like Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) and gifts of appreciated assets.  We will meet in the Wilson Knox classroom

The session will be led by Jim Mohr, Elder and Chair of the Finance Committee. Jim will explain how these giving methods work and answer any general questions you might have.  All are welcome to attend and learn more about ways to give.

Got questions about the Building Project? Join the Capital Campaign Chairs and members of the Building Committee for open “question hours” on Sunday, October 26 and November 2, 9:30–11:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Feel free to drop in between either worship service—or anytime during the Sunday School hour—so we can answer your questions while you’re here Sunday morning without disrupting Worship or classes. We look forward to talking with you!

The Campaign Leadership Team met this week to continue moving our Growing in Faith journey forward. Together, we reviewed the eight steps of discernment and celebrated progress across all areas of the campaign. The design for Bethel’s Children’s Wing is nearing completion, and communication tools, like the new vision video, upcoming brochure, and worship service videos, are helping us share the story of what God is doing at Bethel and how folks can get involved.

Affinity Group meetings are now fully scheduled, with around 30 gatherings taking place through mid-November. Our Prayer Team continues to lift the campaign in prayer, preparing devotions, a fasting plan, and a 24-hour prayer vigil before Commitment Sunday. Plans are also underway for our Celebration Lunch (covered dish) on November 23 and for special events involving children, youth, and preschool families. Thank you for your continued prayers, participation, and enthusiasm as we seek God’s guidance together. Let us remain faithful and expectant, trusting that He will accomplish more than we can imagine.

We want to thank everyone who completed the Readiness Survey. Your input is vital, and the information gathered will help us determine the best path forward in the campaign.

A special word of gratitude also goes out to all who are serving on our Leadership Teams. Your commitment, prayers, and service are setting the pace for the entire church family.

In the coming weeks, members of the Affinity Group Team will begin reaching out to different groups within the church. These gatherings will give you the chance to hear more details about the campaign, ask questions, and share your feedback.

We also want to stress that the pledge range you indicated on the Readiness Survey is not a commitment. It is simply part of the discernment process. The actual Commitment Card will be due on Sunday, November 16th, and more details will follow soon.

Please continue to pray for God’s guidance and blessing on our Growing in Faith Campaign. If you have questions, feel free to reach out to us at any time.

Together, let us keep moving forward in faith, trusting God to do far more than we could ever imagine.

The Building Team has been hard at work over the past two months, meeting weekly to develop schematic designs for key elements including the preschool and children’s ministry area, the sanctuary, gathering spaces, classrooms and offices. We are deeply grateful for the team’s dedication in creating a plan that best supports Bethel’s mission.

In the coming month, they will obtain preliminary pricing for the schematic design and continue refining it to ensure the plans align with our vision in the most cost-effective way.

The team’s goal is to begin construction on the new children’s ministry space in spring 2026, allowing our preschool to begin its fall semester in a new space that meets all fire and safety codes. Sanctuary and gathering space renovations will be targeted for later in the year.

Be sure to attend the Growing in Faith Campaign Rollout on September 28 for the most up-to-date information and to view renderings and plans.

Building Renovation Vision Rollout & Bethel Barn Bash

We invite everyone to come on Sunday September 28th at 10 a.m. (during our Sunday School hour) to hear a comprehensive presentation of all the work our Building Team has done over the last 18 months. This presentation will take the place of Sunday School that day.

Due to the limited timeframe between worship services, the Q&A will be held at the Bethel Barn Bash later that day. Members of the Bethel Building Team and our contractors will be available to answer all questions at the Barn Bash.