2008 ANNUAL REPORT
First: A Letter From The Bethel Board of Directors



Faith, family and right living: These principals are the very
backbone of Bethel Ministries. We have had eight plus
years of outstanding success and treatment for men
released from incarceration. Our graduates continue to be
transitioning back into society with new lives. These changed
lives are the continued rewards that document our
successful program.

For a number of men, families are being rebuilt and renewed;
professions are restored, and certainly, productive lives are the result for men in bethel's
program. We continue to hear testimonies from men who have graduated. They tell us they
simply could not have made it without Bethel Ministries and that "Christ Jesus has changed
our hearts and what we learned at Bethel has helped establish the principles for living that
have given us a foundation for us to build upon."

Parole officers tell us they see the difference that Bethel is making every day. They comment
about the positive change of heart in the men they serve at Bethel. Recently, one parolee told
an officer, "at Bethel, you have a chance as you have never had before. These folks care for
you. They are examples of what you can become. Look at the men in leadership and how they
have been through the program. Many are going back to college. They are holding jobs. Take
the opportunity that is before you."

Bethel has had a lot of challenges and change in 2008: Dale Blickenstaff retired from the
Board of Directors. We deeply appreciate the work of Dale who served as Chairman for several
years. He will continue to serve as an advisor and friend. Housing laws were passed by the
Legislature. While we have been concerned about the legislation which has made housing
more complex, we see change as our ally in many ways. The laws provide protection for
current programs and have allowed us to consider new possibilities. Funding support for
Bethel has been extremely critical and suffered from financial shortfalls much of the year.
Bethel residents have generally provided most funding support but a number of men have had
difficulty finding employment and thus the shortfall. Much of the year, Bethel's Executive Director
could only be paid part-time. The idea of eliminating one of our four transitional homes was
considered several times to help balance the budget. Praise be to the Lord who helped us by
providing just enough funds to keep us solvent! Bethel continues to need additional funds to
stay solvent in 2009.

Living on the Christian edge is not always popular. Many do not understand what we are doing
or why but we in Bethel remember the words of our Lord in Matthew 25, verse 40 "inasmuch as
you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me." People begin to understand
the "why" when they witness the real redemptive change that Jesus make in men.

A graduate recently told us: "I do not think you know what a difference Bethel has made in my
life. My life has completely changed. I truly do not want to hurt anyone any more. I am losing my
anger and bitterness. I am learning what love is about. and that I am loved and there is hope. I
am so blessed to be a part of this ministry."

Bethel is truly "a ministry of reconciliation" and we can not help but praise Jesus for His Work
that we have the privilege and blessing of participating in.

 
TO DONATE







Checks should be
made payable to
Bethel Ministries,
and sent  to:
Bethel Ministries
PO Box 44106
Boise, Idaho
83711-0106

Your
support is
always greatly
appreciated.
Bethel Ministries
PO Box 44106
Boise, Idaho 83711-0106
Fax: (208) 345-5331
BETHEL MINISTRIES
INCOME: Bethel Ministries faced serious financial challenges in 2008
mirroring the economic challenges facing our country.  Operating income
was down over 20% compared to 2007, $127,334 versus $105,779 in
2008.   With such a sharp drop in income, Bethel struggled to keep its four
discipleship houses operating.   The men coming to Bethel out of
incarceration also struggled to find jobs in a shrinking job market.  Bethel
was blessed by generous friends of the Ministry that made donations at
critical times making it possible for Bethel to survive 2008. We were also
the men of Bethel.  Bethel finished 2008 with an operating loss of ($3,510).
 This was only possible through year-end donations from our friends.
EXPENSES: Bethel Ministries was forced to hold the line on operating
expenses in 2008.  The Ministry had to reduce the Executive Director, its
only paid employee, to part-time hours.  This meant the Executive Director,
was limited in his time available to visit the six prisons in the State to
interview prospective applicants as well as overseeing the daily operations
of the four homes.  Working closely with the Idaho Department of
Corrections, the Ministry has taken several steps to adjust its admission
process.  This has allowed Bethel to continue operating in the current
economy of the state and these adjustments are producing improvements
in the financial situation in the Ministry.         
AN INVESTMENT THAT MAKES OUR COMMUNITY MORE SAFE!

Considering the odds out there, given what we see  daily
through the media on crime and violence, it’s a blessing to see the miracle of God’s saving and
redeeming grace working in the lives of men who may have otherwise been lost back to the streets
were it not for the work of Jesus Christ’s Ministry of Reconciliation in their lives. We see men’s very
lives transformed. We see families rescued and witness unprecedented change for the good of so
many. It’s commonly believed and feared that those who have committed sexual crimes cannot be
helped, yet we are finding out something very different: positive changes!
Needless to say, great news for our communities! All things are possible for those who love  God love
and whom God loves! “All things are possible to him  that believeth.” Mark 9:23  God willing, 2009 will
be  as financially productive  as it is spiritually productive! And it will be with the continued support from
faithful folks like yourself.  “. . the harvest is truly plentiful, but the laborers are few.“ Matthew 9:37







BETHEL MINISTRIES IS AN AWARD WINNING PROGRAM

In 2004  the Department of Corrections
awarded Bethel Ministries leadership a  “Special  Commendation” for the work that Bethel is doing.
The Idaho Conference on Alcohol and Drug Dependency named Bethel; “The Outstanding Community
Organization for 2005” And “Prison Fellowship” has also given similar awards to Bethel for its “Special
Aftercare Program”. Bethel regularly receives requests for guidance from across the nation because of
its unique faith based program!
HELPING TRANSFORM LIVES AND COMMUNITIES

Where everyone is blessed!


Your prayers, support and contributions allow you to do more than just “wish someone would
do something” about the many ex-offenders being released early into our communities
without the benefits of faith-based transition programs. Due to the current condition of our
economy and  high costs of overcrowded prisons, more and more early release of  those
incarcerated is happening.

Bethel Ministries, a faith based program IS doing something! Founded in the year 2000, it has
one mission: to transition, transform  and disciple men who are ready and want to change
their lives by accepting Christ’s leadership through the Bethel program. Bethel was created to
help individuals while at a critical crossroad between their past and a better road to a real
future. Men who commit to overcoming past lives which included crimes of violence ,
alcoholism, drug and sexual addictions affecting individuals and community.

With God’s help and direction we are making it possible for men who are paroling out of
prison to have a proper transitional environment and education condusive to lasting
rehabilitation BEFORE re-entering the community to live on their own. These men are
supported toward growth in their faith through the power of  the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We
ease the transition from life behind bars to a life of freedom with safe boundaries, not only for
the men we directly serve but also our communities. We serve our community by providing a
much needed and invaluable humanitarian service with an eye towards the communities
future!

If you agree that that Bethel Ministries is providing an invaluable contribution of service  to  
society, a  service which everyone “wishes someone would do”, then you can also do what
you can do. It is truly a group effort of Christ’s spiritual body who can fulfill the many needs or
facets of need there are within Bethel Ministries, some directly, some indirectly. Each
Christian is equipped differently to help in his unique way, individually or collectively. If you
would also like to contribute to Christ’s “Ministry of Reconciliation” (II Corinthians 5:17-21)
and support this ministry of mercy, forgiveness, redemption and redirection of those willing to
take those steps, please do so today.

If  you cannot directly help, there are ways you can help support those  who  are  able to tackle
the task head-on. See our page on contributing to Bethel to learn how your prayers, donations
of food, goods, services, and monies are put to work for Bethel.

Contact our Ministry Director, Pastor McKellip at 208-914-0231 or mtdove@msn.com if you
would like to donate items and arrange for pick up of those items by the ministry.

Donate here at our website or directly at
PayPal's website  to:bethelministries777@hotmail.com  

Your support is always greatly appreciated!
And always, please pass on this information any way you can. God Bless!
Mt.View Church of The Brethren
home base for
Bethel Ministres
SEE
2008 Annual
Report Breakdown
 below!

Also See:
2007 ANNUAL REPORT
2008
INCOME & EXPENSES
BREAKDOWN
INCOME
Program Fees        $61,709
Admission Fees        14,941
Donations                 29,129
Total                    $105,779

OPERATING EXPENSES
Rent                       $58,245
Utulities                    11,657
Telephone                 1,699
Food                          7,540
Maintenance                 221
Total                      $79,361
ADMIN. EXPENSES
Executive Director   $17,376
Support Staff                  108
Video  Equipment            -
Travel                          1,950
Bank Charges                  36
Insurance                    1,080
Office Expenses          2,584
Telephone                   1,503
Van Expenses             5,292
Total                     $109,290

Net Income (Loss)  
                    ($3,510)

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Bethel Ministries © 2009 | A 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization.