Bethany Baptist Church exists: to win people to a saving knowledge of Jesus; to build them into mature disciples of Christ; to equip them for their ministry in the church and their life mission in the world; to plant healthy churches.
Dr. Ritch Boerckel
Senior Pastor
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Over the Coffee Cup
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Missions
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KidZone Easter on the Prairie
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Children’s Ministry
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Women’s Ministry Events
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Men’s Ministry Events
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Calendar
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Birthdays & Anniversaries
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Ministry News & Opportunities
10 Equipping 12 Easter at Bethany
We Are Expecting
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t is that time again! Ten years ago, in 2003, Bethany Baptist Church believed that God was leading us to plant a church in Bartonville. We had not strategically planted another congregation in decades and yet the leadership of BBC became convinced that God would be most glorified as we trusted Him to plant another church through us. What joy to watch God Work! God gave us a little building and a small piece of land. Then God gave us a church planting pastor in Art Georges. Then God gave us a bigger piece of land and a school building in which to meet on Sundays. As we walked forward in faith, God kept confirming His pleasure in establishing a new church. Around 100 people from BBC believed that God was calling them to join this new church plant. Today, Living Hope Community Church has over 220 people worshipping Christ each Sunday, and many of those are new believers! BBC would never have been able to have a hand in encouraging or reaching those new people apart from active obedience to God in planting a new church. Five years later in 2008, Bethany again believed that God was directing us to plant a new church. Again, what fun it was to watch God work! This time the Lord directed our focus upon Washington, Illinois. Though we were in the midst of plans to construct a new church building, we believed that God would not have us delay in planting a new church. God again gave us land. He also supplied two great servants in Daniel Bennett and Ben Davidson to help us plant this new church. God provided a meeting place for this new church in the beautiful and brand new Five Points Center. Again, God kept confirming His pleasure as we stepped forward in faith. Over 275 people from BBC joined hands in this new endeavor. Today, over 600 worship at Bethany Community Church. What sweet joy to see God bless His church. Each of the first two church planting endeavors began in dependence upon God to guide and to bless the church-planting mission that He gave to us. Continued on page 2