We believe Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life for every human being. An intimate relationship with Jesus is the only Way to realize your potential and fulfill your purpose as God's created child. Jesus is the Truth that frees you from bondage and condemnation. He is the Life that restores you in the love of God. His cross, his resurrection, his ascension, and his gift of the Holy Spirit address our hungers, change our nature, and alter our future.

OUR FREEDOM

We come together to both experience and share the love and freedom of Christ. These are five guiding values:

1. Prayer: your supernatural link
2. Fellowship: your redemptive connection
3. Worship: your corrective vision
4. Ministry: your life call
5. Witness: your Father's priority

OUR HISTORY

Bethany was founded in 1958 by Richard Harper, its first pastor. On March 12, 2003, Richard Harper was invited to again preach the very first sermon given at Bethany. We invite you to read that sermon, see how appropriate it is today as it was in 1958. Also see the brochure (front and back) that was hand delivered to every home in the area inviting people to worship at Bethany.

PRAYER: YOUR SUPERNATURAL LINK
	Prayer brings experiences and encounters with the supernatural God. At Bethany we encourage and equip people to: receive prayer from others, pray with others, and pray in ministry to others. pray privately, pray for others
	At Bethany there are: healing teams, prayer partners, intercessory teams, prayer walks, prayer chains, and prayer vigils. This is your key link to God's supernatural love and power. This is the link for Rochester and the world as well.
FELLOWSHIP: YOUR REDEMPTIVE CONNECTION
	People experience and grasp the love of God through spiritual friendships. Jesus said, "Wherever two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in your midst." We benefit from the spiritual presence of Jesus as we gather in small groups, and he redirects our way of thinking and acting. In this way, we more fully experience his redeeming love and power. Here are some of the ways Bethany gathers: Bible studies Home groups Interest groups Breakfast groups Youth groups & trips Children's classes and activities Mission groups Sunday School classes Ministry teams Recreational Activities Prayer groups

WORSHIP: YOUR CORRECTIVE VISION

We see life as it is only when we are focused on God in his awesome greatness and love. Bethany believes in worship that helps people see reality and connects them very personally to Jesus and their loving Father. Because that is the goal, we work hard to help people connect with God in their heart, language and song. That means developing and leading a variety of worship experiences.

MINISTRY: YOUR LIFE CALL

People have personalities, traits, and abilities that reflect the genius and intent of their creator. Believers in partnership with the Holy Spirit receive and develop even more abilities that help people grasp God’s love and freedom.

Bethany is committed to helping believers discover their creative gifts and receive their spiritual gifts, and then develop and deploy them in significant ministry. We exist not to expand our own ministry but to encourage and equip believers to embrace their life call. Our goal is to help you fulfill God’s will for your life.

WITNESS: YOUR FATHER’S PRIORITY

Jesus developed his followers as they joined him in fulfilling his Father’s priority: reconciling and restoring “the lost sheep of Israel.” We believe we can only grow as disciples and fully grasp God’s love as we reach out with Christ to those who are hurting and, or estranged from God.

We design every activity at Bethany to encourage, equip, and engage you in your Father’s priority. We are determined to motivate and mobilize believers to go and bring people to faith and freedom in Jesus Christ.

Church Telephone: (507) 289-0311
Parsonage Telephone: (507) 282-9198

Bethany is part of the United Methodist Church Family.