A Letter From The Bethel Board of Directors
Faith, family and right living: These principles 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 transition 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 the ministry 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 makes 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 cannot help but praise Jesus for His work that we have the privilege and blessing to participate in.