We,
the people of Bethel, gather as a community of over 300 to meet
for worship in Cleveland Heights. We are old and young, married
and single, and a mosaic of races and ethnic groups. We are people
with graduate degrees and people with GED’s. We are people
from the city, from the country, from the suburbs, and from overseas.
We freely acknowledge that we are people in process. We have weaknesses,
blind spots, and much remaining sin, but we are on the journey to
live as Jesus lived and love as Jesus loved. We are connected to
one another because of our relationship with Jesus Christ. We unite
to struggle with what it means to live all of life as worship for
the glory of God. We are committed to learn and grow in personal,
deepening, faith-building relationships as visible expressions of
God at work in us. We desire relationships that are real and, at
times, uncomfortable as we engage each other’s life-stories.
We want this community to be a place to love and be loved, to know
and be known. We do not believe that we can be Christians by ourselves.
We need each other. It is our prayer that you will see and experience
the love we have for each other, and, most importantly, our love
for God. Come, and be a fellow traveler with us.
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Bethel
Church of Cleveland Heights was organized in 1889 as the Swedish
Baptist Church of Cleveland. The church started on Payne Avenue,
moved to White Avenue, and later relocated to Addison Road. It wasn't
until the early 1940's that the Swedish services were discontinued
and the church joined the Baptist General Conference and was renamed
Bethel Baptist Church of Cleveland.
The
church moved to its current location on Noble Road in Cleveland
Heights and held worship in our present chapel starting in 1952.
Bethel grew during the 1950’s and 1960’s. During the
1970’s Bethel struggled as the growing edge of the area’s
population growth advanced east. In the late 1970’s, however,
Bethel started welcoming those from diverse cultural backgrounds
with open arms. That started the mighty long journey of cultural,
ethnic, and racial diversity upon which we still find ourselves.
Due to the intense struggle of those early years of integration,
Bethel almost closed its doors around 1980. The people of Bethel
during that difficult time were deeply committed to this community.
Because of that commitment, we are able to enjoy what we enjoy today.
In
November 1992, Carlton Harris became Bethel’s Senior Pastor,
and in 1994, Toby Shope joined the pastoral staff serving youth.
In January 2006, Pastor Carlton followed God’s call to lead
a congregation in San Diego, California.
Pastor
Toby, with a true sense of joy, assumed many new responsibilities
– ones that he sensed, even before Carlton’s departure,
God was preparing for him (or him for them!). As he looks ahead,
he says…
During
a 15-month search for a new Lead Pastor, God was faithful, leading
us forward, stretching us, strengthening us, and deepening our faith
and trust in Him. And then, on May 1, 2007, He brought Pastor Scottye
Holloway from Minnesota to Cleveland to join us as Bethel’s
new Lead Pastor. We are excited to continue our journey in the company
of our new brother. We would welcome you to join us on this journey
as well!
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