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PASTOR JOEL AND FAMILY
Joel holds a Master's of Divinity Degree from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in Lombard, Illiinois as well as a Bachelor's in Social Work from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. Joel has a particular passion for rural ministry and the rural lifestyle. He enjoys talking about matters of theology and faith, but also enjoys talking about weather and crop yields.
Joel's wife Jenny grew up in Decatur, Illinois and holds a Master's Degree in Counseling from Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis. Jenny enjoys visiting with people and brings her deep sense of caring to all of her relationships. Joel and Jenny also stay quite busy with their three Children, Josephine (Joey), Ian and WIlliam (Will). OTHER LINKS OF INTEREST
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OUR MISSIONARIES
Katie and Taku Longkumer are serving in North East India. Katie provides worship and counseling training to churches and shares her skills in missionary training. Taku works with the mission secretaries of the Council of Baptist Churches in North East India to provide the pre-field and in-service training to the missionaries; to equip churches to better support their missionaries; and to visit and provide pastoral care to the missionaries on the field.
We are excited to announce our temporary reassignment to Hungary! International Ministries' partner Hungarian Baptist Aid has been given the operation of almost fifty schools. They are seeking English-speaking teachers, and the facilities need upkeep and repair. We have accepted the invitation. We feel this is our Macedonian call. In the 16th chapter of Acts, Paul and his companions were prevented from going into Asia. Paul had a vision in the night of a man from Macedonia saying, "Come over here and help us!" We have been prevented from going back into Liberia at this time. We are heart-broken for our friends but praying steadily that God will continue to protect the Ricks campus from the Ebola outbreak. As we have been waiting, dumb-founded that our short missionary careers would be stymied, God was working.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
November 18 - Harvest dinner - 6:00 pm
December 8-9 - The WAY December 23 - Christmas Brunch - After Worship Service January 12 - Quarterly Business Mtg - 7:00 pm 
The WAY
An interactive nativity walk Join us on the evenings of Saturday, Dec. 8 and Sunday, Dec. 9 anytime between 6:00 - 8:00 pm. Come to the church where you will be placed in a family group to travel to Bethlehem. This is an outdoor experience, so dress appropriately. Rides are available for those who cannot walk. You will then return to the church for cookies and hot beverages. |
Welcome to Bethel
We'd like to welcome you to Bethel's home on the web. But, more than that, we'd love to welcome you in person to our home in the country. Please do join us for any of our services. We like to think you'd be blessed by our community of faith and we know we'd be blessed to have you join us! Bethel is a rural congregation with a dynamic mix of younger and older people. We enjoy a blended worship style and great fellowship! We are a small town church with a global vision.