Next Steps

We exist to empower people to know and follow Jesus. 

As a newcomer to Bethel, your NEXT STEP would be to join us at our next Meet & Greet Dinner. 

There, you will discover more about who we are as a church, and have a chance to connect with staff members and other families in the church.

Each of us is on a journey that’s racing towards eternity. We have hopes and fears that pull our lives in different directions, and as we go through our journey, it seems to get more and more difficult to rid ourselves of regret and loneliness. We want to believe that our lives will be long and meaningful–but we’ve already made choices that have hurt others and hurt ourselves. We only have one life. What will we choose to do with it?

This is your invitation to trust Jesus. He will redeem your regret. He will heal your hurt. He will restore your broken life. When we trust Jesus with our eternity, he has the power to sustain the joy we’ve been looking for in ourselves.

We’d love to continue this conversation with you. Contact us to talk to someone about experiencing the hope, freedom, and new life that comes when you trust Jesus.

We believe we are Stronger Together. No matter your stage of life or where you are in your journey, joining a LIFE Group is a great way to connect with others from Bethel. 

What is a Lifegroup?

A LIFE Group consists of 5-12 adults that meet regularly in their homes to connect with God, connect with each other, and take time to connect with their community.

Connect with God...

LIFE Groups connect with each other and God by sharing stories, studying the Bible, and praying with each other. As a result, they are challenged to grow in their relationships and become more like Christ.

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Connect with Others...

Meeting regularly in LIFE Groups provides the opportunity to spend time together in a warm, fun, and friendly atmosphere. Groups encourage and care for each other, and allow each individual to be authentic.

Connect with our Community...

Relationships are strengthened and God’s love is shown in practical ways as LIFE Groups serve others in their communities. LIFE Groups have the opportunity to impact their area while developing intentional relationships with those who don’t know Jesus. Groups are encouraged to participate in different serving projects and fill other needs as they see them!

Anyone can become a new life in Christ. Start experiencing that new life today and for eternity.

Admit That I have Sinned...Romans 3:23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standards.

Believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sins...Romans 5:8 God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Choose the gift of forgiveness and new life...Romans 10:9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

We love to celebrate new life in Christ.

One of the most significant events in the life of a person who follows Christ is his or her baptism. It is a way of publicly saying that you are trusting Jesus for the forgiveness of your sin, and you are all in as his follower. If you have put your faith in Jesus, and have not been baptized then baptism is your next step.

What is baptism?

Publicly dunking people may seem strange to you, but this is an ancient ritual that dates back to before the time of Jesus. The word baptize comes from the Greek word "baptizo", meaning to dip or submerge. It was used to describe the process of making pickles or dyeing cloth. 

Baptism symbolizes cleansing a life full of sin to moving towards a life that is more like Jesus. Baptisms take place in public settings so everyone in the community can see the difference Jesus was making in the person's life.

Why does Bethel do baptism?

One of Jesus' final instruction to his followers:

Go and make disciples [followers of Jesus] of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19 (NLT)

We baptize people today because Jesus told us that after a person has become his follower (or disciple), they are to be baptized. The purpose of baptism is to show people in both the church and the community that they’ve become a follower of Jesus.

When should someone be baptized?

Baptism should be done after a person has trusted in Jesus for forgiveness of his or her sin.

To be sure that the person being baptized fully understands his or her decision, Bethel doesn’t baptize kids until they fully understand what Baptism means and is about (which is usually 8 years old). Parents may want to encourage their kids to wait even longer until they’re mature enough to make the decision for themselves.

Some commonly asked questions:

1). Does baptism save me?

No: Trusting Jesus for the forgiveness of your sin is what saves you. Your baptism is a public declaration of your decision to trust Jesus.

2). I was baptized before, should I be baptized again?

Yes: If you were baptized as a baby, child or before you trusted in Christ, then yes, you should. 

No: If you were baptized as a believer elsewhere, you do not have to be baptized again at Bethel.

3). I have trusted Christ, but I haven'€™t been baptized. Do I need to have it all together before I get baptized?

No: Being baptized doesn't mean you're perfect, that you'€™ve arrived, or that you are at a certain place in your journey. If you are trusting Christ for salvation, you are ready to be baptized!