Welcome! We've Been Expecting You!

When Kathryn and I arrived at Bethel in 1993, we asked: "What are the distinctive characteristics of Bethel Baptist Church?" "What are the values and passions that have fueled the movement of Christ in this place since 1901?" Here's what we discovered:

Distinctive Characteristics Revealed by Bethel's History:

Bethel is a Missions Church
Bethel Baptist Church was started in 1901 by District Missionary, Rev. Paul Johnson with a vision for Swedish immigrants in a new land. Many Bethel members have received a call to missionary service and have devoted their lives to international mission service. Our vision is to raise up a new generation of believers who have the world on their heart. This is why in 1994 we welcomed the Slavic Baptist congregation to our facility. The Slavic Church has since moved on, but today we partner with Russian Harvest Outreach (www.RussianHarvest.com) and support a network of missionaries in that great land. In addition, we encourage our members to engage in short-term missions. This is why we have launched outreaches to the immigrant community in Everett. Led by Friends of Internationals, we are reaching out through Talk Time, English as a Second Language and friendship evangelism. For more information, contact Beverly Bowman at BevBowman10@Juno.com, or visit Action International Ministries at www.actionintl.org where she serves.

Through the Columbia Baptist Conference (www.columbiaconference.org) Cascade LEAD Team, we are helping build a hospital and plant a church in Tapalpa, Mexico. We also support the mission work of the Baptist General Conference and its missionaries around the world. Visit our national website at www.bgcworld.org.

Bethel Trains and Equips Young People
During the Second World War, Rev. Vernon Steele had a vital interest in young people. Teens gained a vision of service to the Lord. The youth groups from the 1950's, 60's and 70's equipped young people to serve as missionaries, pastors, chaplains, and ministry wives. Sunday school classes and Children's Church provide Bible-centered training for kids. How grateful we are when God entrusts one of these precious young people into our care!

Led by Youth Pastor Abe McWethy, we are seeing God raise up a new generation that is loving and honoring the name of Christ through lives of service. Ground Zero Youth Group meets on Tuesday nights (Junior High) and Friday Nights (Senior High). Call the church at (425) 252-0249 for further information. You can also visit Ground Zero's website at www.ground-zero.ws.

Bethel Serves The City
In the forties and fifties Bethel called Louisa Roach and Carol Brown as missionaries to the city. The radio program, "Happy Half Hour With the Bible," reached the children of Everett. Involvements with Christian Businessmen's groups, Youth For Christ, Bible Study fellowship and other worthy efforts have characterized Bethel's partnerships in the city. Our ministry to the city in recent years has included joint worship and prayer services with area churches as well as new partnerships in local and international missions. Today our Youth Pastor serves, and is supported by, Delta Baptist and Riverside Four Square Churches. We open our building to guest groups that are doing good works in the city. Over the years these have included Christmas House, Home School Networks, Friends of Youth, the Bayview Neighborhood Association (www.gobayview.com) and Alcoholics Anonymous for teens and younger adults. We truly can do more together than we can on our own.

Bethel Serves Military Personnel
During the Second World War, a Christian Center for Servicemen was established. Church members were urged to write the men and women in the service, and to extend hospitality to them when they were at home. In the 1960's, Bethel had a ministry to the servicemen from Paine Field. With the arrival of Naval Station Everett in the 1990's, Bethel families reached out to military personnel. Through home hospitality, prayer groups, men's ministry, and Bible studies on the Base, several Navy people have made Bethel Church their home.

Bethel is a Fellowship Church
Many of the most meaningful impacts of God in the lives of people at Bethel have come through the loving fellowship that believers share with one another. In the last decade, we have built on this heritage. Potluck suppers, Bible Study groups, men's and women's ministry events, and other group outings have sparked Christian friendships and provided ways for them to grow deeper. We are constantly exploring ways to extend this loving hospitality gift to newcomers and to others outside our immediate sphere of influence. It is all summed up when we say, "Bethel is a Family That Adopts." It's true. If people stick around long enough, you will find relationships that feel more like family than anything else. And it's been going on for a hundred years!

Come Join the Family!

Pastor Wes Johnson