The Local Outreach Committee meets monthly to discuss and pray about social issues impacting our region. Recent topics have included

• racial reconciliation,
• street youth, and
• refugee resettlement.

Guests with expertise in the areas under discussion are frequent visitors. The committee welcomes new members. Please contact Gene Williams.

A "Race & Justice Team" also meets every other month.

Short Term Mission Trip to Vancouver Island
Esperanza Ministries is a Christian mission that has been serving the people along the coast there, including first nations people scattered along the west coast of Vancouver Island. Bethany will travel to Esperanza by car and boat From Sunday, April 10 to Saturday, April 16. We will enjoy a time of mission together to support the mission base, learn about the life and work of missionaries and enjoy a great week of getting to know one another. Contact Mike Christensen (365-7808) for information.

Open Heart, Open Home
by Kelly Pearson
I want you to meet Kirk and Karen and their children, a refugee host family who were flat out disappointed when their long-awaited family stepped off the plane. They were disappointed because they had agreed to host a family of 14, and only four were able to come... more

Welcome a refugee family for a weekend to a week.

Bethany-McClure Partnership
by Michelle McFarland
Bethany sits exactly one block away from McClure Middle School. During any given weekday at 12:15 pm, you will see kids by the dozens spilling out onto the sidewalks and at the bus stops, chatting loudly with friends. If you're like me, I've teetered between thinking, "wow, it's been a looooong time since I was in middle school" to "gee, I wonder how I could interact with these kids."...more