A Message from Pastor James

Each week, Pastor James Bolin writes an e-mail which is sent to the congregation. Insightful and often humorous, the weekly message can be found HERE

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About Bethany Church

Our Purpose: The people of Bethany are called and committed to bringing the experience of God’s love to all we encounter.

Our Values: We minister to anyone in need, without exclusion or judgment, through the ministry of the laity, professional staff, and mission outreach. We are Biblically centered and based, congregational, self-governing, and a teaching/learning congregation.  We are American Baptists and embrace the tenets of Soul Freedom, Separation of Church and State, and Believers’ Baptism.

Our Mission: Our mission is to create the opportunity for all to make discipleship a way of life.

Bethany is a loving, caring Christian community who value children and youth.  We have a Nursery and Toddler Room program every Sunday during Sunday School and Worship. We have a Children’s Church program for children through 3rd grade during Worship.  Once a month, the Bethany Buddies meet, this ministry to children involves discipleship and fun activities.We have special worship services for youth from 4th grade through 12th grade twice each month during the regular worship time.  We have a youth group who are active in mission work and fun activities.

We have several small groups who meet regularly and meaningful adult Sunday School classes. Our worship is informal. We sing both new and old songs.  Sometimes we have special dramatic presentations during Worship. We laugh.  We cry.  We pray.  We support each other.  And, we connect with God.

If you are looking for a church home, we invite to share in our fellowship.  We are not a big church.  But we have a lot to offer if you are seeking a spiritual path to God and a loving community where everyone knows your name.

Our History

100 years ago, in the summer of 1906, Bethany Church had its beginning.  Mary Barnett, a graduate of Kalamazoo College and of the Baptist Missionary Training School, established a Sunday School on the west side of Pontiac. This ministry grew and on September 17th 1919, Bethany Church was officially incorporated. After many years in Pontiac, the church moved to Waterford in 1989.