The "O" in NOW
stands for Our Community

Bethel is becoming more visible outside its own walls...and it's making a difference in our communities. Now God is showing us how we can serve effectively, with heart-changing results.

Cultural care. Hispanics are the fastest growing minority in the Tri-Cities. About 60% of Pasco, 20% of Kennewick, and 6% of Richland are Hispanic. Low wages, transient work that separates families, and lack of access to basic services cause many to live on the edge. Most don't have access to culturally relevant, Bible-believing churches that could help meet spiritual, relational, and physical needs. Bethel's vision is to work with local Hispanic ministries to plant a new Hispanic church in the Tri-Cities.

Shine on. Over the past year, Bethel's Let the Light Shine community projects have ranged from donating supply-filled student backpacks to building five Habitat for Humanity homes in Pasco. Projects like this could have even greater impact as part of an ongoing, coordinated program. NOW will fund a staff person to better coordinate activities and spend time in the field on projects. Additional funds will be reserved for one or more large-scale community projects as God directs over the next three years.

How the West was won. West Pasco is the fastest growing area of the Tri-Cities, but no churches exist in the area north of the freeway. This represents a tremendous untapped growth opportunity. Some of Bethel's 80 families from Pasco could form the core group of a "starter" church there, reaching out to surrounding neighborhoods. NOW funds will help support a pastor in the early stages, and eventually, a facility.