International Outreach

International Outreach Ministry has a long tradition of sending out cross-cultural partners from Bethany Community Church to those in the world beyond us: those beyond our own cultural, geographical and linguistic reach. This expresses our ongoing commitment to Jesus’ command to make disciples of all nations.

 

No one church can carry out all aspects of God’s mission to all places. Bethany has particularly chosen to focus on:

• Sending long-term ministry teams made up of members from Bethany
• Reaching unreached people groups of the world, i.e. ethnic groups where a viable, sustainable national church does not as yet exist
• Establishing new churches that will, in turn, be active in establishing other new churches within their culture
• Obeying Jesus’ two great commands:

1) to love God completely and to love your neighbor as yourself

2) to invite people of all nations to become followers of Jesus Christ.
• Strongly upholding our partners through core groups made up of friends and volunteers from within our church body
• Encouraging ongoing prayer for our partners through our monthly prayer calendar

 

Bethany challenges its members to participate in the work of expressing and demonstrating the good news of Jesus to all nations.  Bethany Community Church currently works with 16 different agencies by supporting the following:

• 23 Cross-Cultural Partners
• 3 National Ministry Teams
• 15 Countries
• 1 Retired Cross-Cultural Worker

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Short-Term Teams

Not everyone is called or is capable of serving cross-culturally for a long term. Bethany sends many short-term ministry teams that focus primarily on adding value to the ministries of our long-term partners.  This results in strengthened relationships and meaningful short-term mission experiences. Short term teams will serve in the following locations during 2009-2010:

• Kosova
• Indonesia
• South Africa
• Southeast Asia
• Peru
• Mexico
• Kenya

At the intersection of the world around us and the world beyond us, is the world that comes to us.
International Outreach ministers to this segment of the world, as well. Our particular focus is on students and scholars who come to Arizona State University (ASU), with thousands of international students currently enrolled. In association with staff members of International Students Incorporated, we are present on campus with these students.  Many people from our church also volunteer (in collaboration with the International Student Office at ASU) as friends to newly arriving students. Some participate as Bible study leaders, English language teachers, one-on-one mentors or as host families for special activities, such as the annual Christmas progressive dinner.

 

If you have questions about the International Outreach Ministry, or are interested in participating, please contact us.