2017 ANNUAL REPORT. BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH 1781 West 38 th Street Erie PA Pastor Tim George Care Pastor Jerry Davis

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1 To glorify God by helping more people know and serve Him BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH 1781 West 38 th Street Erie PA ANNUAL REPORT Pastor Tim George Care Pastor Jerry Davis

Our mission, as Bethel Baptist church, is to glorify God by helping more people know and serve Him. The goal, of FUSE youth ministry, is to focus that mission and tailor it to teens.

2 Our mission, as Bethel Baptist church, is to glorify God by helping more people know and serve Him. The goal, of FUSE youth ministry, is to focus that mission and tailor it to teens. Based on that goal, the purpose of FUSE, is to help unite teens with God s purposes to create whole disciples. Our desire at FUSE is to not simply repeat the rules of Christianity, but to equip teens with tools so they can understand how the Bible fits in their own life, and can see that they are free to define their own relationship with God. For example, in that sense, my goal is not to teach teens to simply say lying is wrong. Using that example, my goal is to equip them so they can decide to do what would honor God most in difficult situations, not based on an ingrained rule but based on their love for God. That idea of understanding Biblical truth so that students can think independently about their own relationship with God has been our focus this year through our teaching topics. In Explanation focused on theological concepts that are important to our relationship with God. A Wise Man Once Said looked at the lessons and wisdom in Proverbs and applied it practically to our life situations. We ended the year with the three part series Christmas in Context. This series addressed how to make the most out of the holiday season and understanding the whole picture of the Christmas story. Our teens have also had the opportunity to grow in other environments as well this year. They ve participated in the Bethany Camp s summer camp, WinterJam, The Bethany Camp Blizzard, the Bethel Block Party, Trunk or Treat, as well as our own unique and special FUSE events. As always, I m excited to see what God is going to do in the lives of our teens this next year! Pastor Tim

4 CARE Ministry (Concerned Action to Reach Erie) Annual Report Paul said in I Corinthians 12:25.care one for another. Following the dictates of this verse, we launched a new endeavor to literally care for one another. In early October, the church called me to be the CARE pastor. I considered this an opportunity to be used of the Lord; therefore, I launched into this ministry with God s guidance and the church s support. I have started programs and continue to critique what I am doing with the plan to upgrade and expand as needed. It has been through the support and help by many of our church family that I believe we have a positive beginning. Here is a synopsis of what CARE is doing here at Bethel and in the community: 1. I have visited our shut-ins at least once. It was a privilege to talk with them, to hear of their concerns, and to share what God is doing at Bethel. I was also able to explain the purpose of our CARE program and how this ministry might help them. I felt the fellowship and the renewed friendship worthwhile. It also gave me the opportunity to offer my services to several of the retirement communities for Bible studies or chapel participation if needed. 2. I have visited those who have been sick and rehabilitating in local health facilities. Several names have come from the church, who have had friends or acquaintances needing a visit. From those contacts, I have met others in the hospitals with whom I might pray and share Christ. 3. I am in the church office nearly every day until noon to receive phone calls, to welcome visitors, and to be available for any church-related needs. This has allowed opportunities for counselling and personal help as requested. 4. I have put together a brochure of materials to share, which tell about the CARE program. It tells about the available assistance with food, jobs, clothing, housing, etc. This is an opportunity not only to meet physical needs but also to meet spiritual concerns. 5. CARE is part of the prayer ministry here at Bethel. I work to keep the prayer needs current and updated for our prayer ministry. This not only keeps the prayer warriors aware of our church needs but also allows me to be aware of concerns. 6. Pastor Tim and I glean valuable information and needs through the Communication Cards each Sunday. This has proven to be an excellent way for worshippers to share with us and to keep us updated on particular concerns. I am striving to be available as needed and to help where I can. I am always looking for new ways to reach out and fervently invite your input of ideas and suggestions. My objective is to help with needs, while offering spiritual counselling and assistance. You can be a vital part of this ministry by sending people to me as needs arise. Those who are unsaved can be directed to our Savior, as I talk to them and offer spiritual solutions. There are many who are in need, and I truly believe the CARE ministry is a great avenue to reach the lost with the gospel of Jesus Christ. CARE also allows Christian love to be demonstrated by Concerned Action as we strive to Reach Erie through Bethel Baptist Church. I hope you ll join me in this effort. In Christian love, Pastor Jerry (Davis)

6 Missionary Committee Report 2017 Knowing and trusting in the truth that our times are in our Father's hands (Ps. 31:15), is a comfort for all His children. Certainly it was an encouragement to John and Joy Gribbin as they tearfully left France after 36 years of ministry in Missions To The Military, primarily in Toulon, to return home to Erie, PA. Though officially retired, they continue to serve here at Bethel Baptist Church. Joy works in the Day care, John teaches EQUIP classes, is a deacon and both help those who have special needs. John's opening challenge to our church was to continue to practice love, and rejoice in the hope we have in Christ, for now and the future. In April, Gil and Denise Thomas visited. Remember, Bethel was the church in which Gil grew up. Throughout 2017, they have been in eight countries and 22 churches, training people in Good Soil Evangelism, Discipleship and related topics. As Gil spoke to us, he encouraged us to continue to have "A Heart for the Harvest": a love for the lost and courage to carry the message. Jason Laird, a former graduate from Bethel Christian School, spoke to us in May about the privilege of serving the Togolese as well as the missionaries in West Africa. Though he is not a part of our official missionary budget, some of our congregation support and pray for the Lairds individually. Jason humbly reminded us that it doesn't matter about our abilities or inabilities. What matters is that God takes and teaches and uses our efforts to accomplish that which He wants. Jason's emphasis, taken from III John, on being solid in the truth and loving and serving the brethren, outlined the role of a healthy church. Late in September, John and Michele Morgan, also formerly raised in Bethel as children, while visiting Michele's brother who was in the hospital, spoke in both EQUIP and the worship hour. John spoke of Gideon as an example of a man who had fears and doubts, but because of his prayers, God used him to face a vast army. However, it was not Gideon that defeated that army, it was God. How encouraging! The Morgan's work in 2017 consists of Michele's medical missions clinics to Argentina, Ukraine, Chile, Nicaragua, and North Africa. John travelled with her to the Ukraine and then later travelled alone to Togo, West Africa to present a seminar on witchcraft and spiritual warfare. To see how the Lord has guided the lives of some of the "kids" that grew up in Bethel Baptist Church or were students at Bethel Christian School, reflects the joy and gratitude of a "parent" who rejoices in the work God does in their "children's" lives. In 2017 God took two of our formerly supported missionaries home, Dr Roy Shelpman and Jess Eaton. We thank the Lord for these servants, pray continuing comfort for their wives, but rejoice in their arrival in Heaven. May God continue to comfort their families. Again, as we said initially, it is always encouraging to realize that our loving Father has our times in His hands. The Missionary committee members for 2017 were: Gail Staab Tom and Marcia Gribbin Sandy Henneman Paul and Belva Meeker

7 MARANATHA Ladies Missions Support Team We meet every third Thursday of the month. We have been working on pill envelopes and rolled bandages for the people of Bangladesh. We are a small group of older ladies and encourage our younger ladies to join us if able. We meet in the music room from 9:30am until about 1:00pm. We continue to pray for our missionaries here in the states and abroad. Sandy Henneman, President Equip and Children s Ministries In 2017 there were a few changes in our children s ministry. We started implementing new curriculum in our KidsWorship, and we have gained some new teachers and workers. Thanks to everyone who serves in our children s ministries this includes many of you! We offer a nursery and three age-appropriate Equip classes for children up through the sixth grade during the first hour on Sunday mornings. During the worship service, we have two levels of KidsWorship for children up through the third grade, as well as a nursery that cares for babies and one year-olds. We have about four sessions of Equip for adults and teens each year, with each session running for around weeks. Three Equip classes with different topics are offered simultaneously, allowing people to attend the class they are most interested in. The current Equip topics are: Starting Point, Discipleship, and Bibliology. Equip Average Attendance for 2017 was as follows: January: 81 May: 65 September: 64 February: 77 June: 62 October: 62 March: 68 July: 58 November: 64 April: 72 August: 60 December: 64 If you don t currently attend Equip, the classes have just started a new session and now would be a great time to try it out! Tamim Fenton

8 Bethel Christian School and Bethel Daycare Report Bethel Christian School has seen God s hand work in many ways over the past 12 months. Listed below you will see some of His blessings. As BCS moves forward we are looking for prayer warriors who will bring our students before the Lord, for Him to work in their hearts, as well as for continued support for this ministry to be financially healthy. Praise the Lord Increased enrollment, we had 99 through November with 100 starting our 3 rd quarter. We ended last year with 85. Alumni who have donated time, financial gifts, and coming in to speak in Chapel. God s goodness in providing financial stability of our school. Partnering with Millcreek Community Church to begin our CLIC Days (Creating Community Leaders in Christ) to train up our students in leadership and outreach. Monthly our students take part in an evangelistic outreach to 130+ children from Grover Cleveland School. Partnering with EUMA (Erie United Methodist Alliance) who run The Refuge, The Hope House and the Liberty House. Their efforts are to provide transitional housing and move families from homelessness to living independently and employed in area businesses. Our students have organized penny, clothing, household supplies, and stuffed animal drives to assist them. They have spent a day last spring painting (11+ rooms/areas), lawn work at three of their sites, and cleaning and helping to organize areas of their office. Prayer partners coming alongside our ministry Increased Technology STEM Lab development for our Elementary classes (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) 40+ volunteers to help with the projects throughout our campus throughout the summer. The finances to purchase new furniture throughout the high school wing. Basement makeover - New hallway flooring and the classrooms painted. The Lower Education Building (affectionately known as the Hill Building) was completely repainted. Kindergarten classroom makeover 10 New Windows for the east side of the Lower Education Building due to a gift from Steve Logan and donations toward the project. Floors in the main building all stripped and waxed A community partnership with PRI to give us a hand with deep cleaning several times throughout the school year. They will return next summer to assist with heavy deep cleaning again. Lisa Galla has stepped in to work in the Library. God continues to work in hearts, please join us in praying for not just our students to be reached but also for our families to have growing relationships with Christ in this challenging culture. Daycare Daycare is going strong with 75 students enrolled. God continues to draw families to us and the diligence of our staff and daily devotion to the children in their care provides us with a strong retention year to year. Pastor Tim has been very intentional in beginning to put together an action plan for regular outreaches to our families to connect the church to the ministry of the daycare. Pray for our families to become spiritually hungry that we would see God draw them to himself! -Kathe Gleason, Administrator

9 2017 Music Ministry Report To the membership of Bethel Baptist Church, We want our music services to unite generations and cultures in the corporate worship of God, our Father. This continues to be the persistent core value that the music ministry of our church has been guided by this past year! With that value in mind, Tim George, our Associate Pastor and Worship Leader, continues to filter each song to satisfy this purpose. He adds new songs every few months, rotates songs regularly, and retires songs in a specific, logical order to keep our worship service fresh and vibrant. The intent is to keep our song selections/rotation current enough that visitors who attend more than once in a month or two hear a familiar song so they can sing along and feel comfortable to participate. Our contemporary style of worship music is still positively received by visitors and regular attenders alike; it s invigorating to see the body of Christ united in worship and song! Our music team has been consistent with multiple piano, keyboard players and singers to provide backups when needed; we would love to find another guitarist and percussionist that could provide backup support for Tim and Hayden, too. When one of these fine men are absent, the worship songs don t have the same sound and it s obvious that we re missing something! I m sure, too, they would appreciate the chance to have a break occasionally Please pray that God will raise up or bring in these needed backup skills to our team. Our overall sound system continues to be problematic we consistently have static and leveling issues with instruments and vocals every week. Mike Myers, heading up the media team in 2017, has done a great job trying to diagnose and solve these problems each week, but I believe it will be necessary at some point in the near future to invest in a new sound board that will function properly. We will keep cobbling our current system as needed, but please pray with us that God will provide the funds necessary to upgrade this equipment thank you for being faithful to give of your tithes and offerings regularly to support the ministry of Bethel Baptist Church, and the monies you give provide for these kinds of music ministry expenses, too, as we seek to reach our community for Christ. Thank you all for your continued support of our music ministry our music team loves to worship with you every week! Respectfully submitted, Sharon Trevino Music Committee Chairman

INTRODUCTION. Our desire and goal can be summarized in the following words: Loving God...Loving You (Mark 12:30, 31)

INTRODUCTION. Our desire and goal can be summarized in the following words: Loving God...Loving You (Mark 12:30, 31) STRATEGIC PLAN 2008-2013 Our Purpose Statement: Our purpose, as a fellowship united in our Lord Jesus Christ, is to worship God through evangelism and discipleship by the power of the Holy Spirit. INTRODUCTION