I write this at the start of my ministry here at Bethany and having spent a great deal of time praying and pondering on what to write. I believe that our God is a missional God who created every one of us in His image (Genesis 1:27), and desires to live in relationship with all of us. He has never given up on this and sent His only son Jesus to come to this world; to live amongst us; to teach us by example and then to die for our sins, the wrong things we do, so that we can have a relationship with Him. And all we need to do is ask Him to forgive us! Jesus conquered death by rising again and is with the Father interceding for each of us. (Romans 8:34) Wow, He cares so much for humankind.

I have no doubt that God never changes (Malachi 3:6), that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrew 13:8) and Holy Spirit continues to live within us (Romans 8:26-27) supporting and encouraging us. Here at Bethany, we have spent the last weeks thinking about what God wants from us- To love Him with all our heart, mind and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5), to desire a deeper relationship with Him. Jesus of course, in Matthew 22:37-39, states this as the most important commandment and the second is to love our neighbour as yourself.

Church is about mission, community and devotion to God and here in Bethany we want to play our part in that mission. We want to know God more, journey together in fellowship and to see others coming to faith. We are a missional church.

Every blessing,

Suzanne Charles
Minister in Training