New church
Saturday 4 June was a great day of celebration for Bethel Church, Liverpool, as it opened its redeveloped building and realised a long-term vision. All those involved can testify that the providing hand of God was with us in the challenges and demanding times.
A growing congregation, developing ministry and ageing building led the members to draw up plans to extend and refurbish their building.
The building fund was launched in January 2009 with a projected four-year savings plan. The fund grew rapidly in the following 12 months, by the sacrificial giving of the congregation.
In April 2010 the church received the amazing news that an anonymous donor had given a sum that meant the building work could start in the autumn. On the last Sunday before the work started, Pastor Daryl Jones reminded the congregation that the way ahead wouldn’t be easy and there would be challenges of unfulfilled promises, building difficulties and weather interruptions.
The following week, the school that had promised its use were unable to keep that promise. The continuous rain of November followed by the sub-zero temperatures of December delayed the building work for two months.
But, once again, the church’s testimony is of God’s amazing provision. New venues became available as other schools welcomed us and local churches generously loaned their premises.
In May 2011, the church members were able to rejoice in their return to the building. Their testimony at the reopening service was ‘How great is our God’.
Sydney Elliott, a previous pastor, encouraged the congregation from 1 Corinthians 5 to have a passion for the gospel to fulfil the mission to reach the lost. Mr Jones has reminded the church that ‘we’re not home yet’, for there is still much to do in using our new building to share Jesus with our community. We want everyone to see — how great is our God.
Daryl Jones
Pic (l to r): Don Newnes, Daryl Jones, Sydney Elliot, Brian Williams
New church
Saturday 4 June was a great day of celebration for Bethel Church, Liverpool, as it opened its redeveloped building and realised a long-term vision. All those involved can testify that the providing hand of God was with us in the challenges and demanding times.
A growing congregation, developing ministry and ageing building led the members to draw up plans to extend and refurbish their building.
The building fund was launched in January 2009 with a projected four-year savings plan. The fund grew rapidly in the following 12 months, by the sacrificial giving of the congregation.
In April 2010 the church received the amazing news that an anonymous donor had given a sum that meant the building work could start in the autumn. On the last Sunday before the work started, Pastor Daryl Jones reminded the congregation that the way ahead wouldn’t be easy and there would be challenges of unfulfilled promises, building difficulties and weather interruptions.
The following week, the school that had promised its use were unable to keep that promise. The continuous rain of November followed by the sub-zero temperatures of December delayed the building work for two months.
But, once again, the church’s testimony is of God’s amazing provision. New venues became available as other schools welcomed us and local churches generously loaned their premises.
In May 2011, the church members were able to rejoice in their return to the building. Their testimony at the reopening service was ‘How great is our God’.
Sydney Elliott, a previous pastor, encouraged the congregation from 1 Corinthians 5 to have a passion for the gospel to fulfil the mission to reach the lost. Mr Jones has reminded the church that ‘we’re not home yet’, for there is still much to do in using our new building to share Jesus with our community. We want everyone to see — how great is our God.
Daryl Jones
