Our Vision:

To be an Oasis in a dry world!

In fact, the town of Bethany in the Bible was an oasis of sorts. It was a ways outside of Jerusalem and date palm trees grew wild there. Weary travelers would stop to rest and refresh themselves in the shade of these trees and satisfy their hunger and restore their energy with the natural fruit that grew on them. The town of Bethany sprung up at this “oasis.”So many people in our community are weary and in need of rest and restoration. God has provided a spiritual oasis for them here at Bethany. It’s a watering hole for the thirsty whom Jesus invites to “come and drink.” We are the keepers of this oasis. It is our mission to make sure the water of life is available for every parched soul. It is also our mission to turn our eyes outward and find the ones who cannot make it to the oasis on their own, We must “go out to the villages and country lanes and compel them to come in” so that His house is full.

 Our Mission:

“W.H.A.T. we do…”

What do we do practically to achieve the vision?

• W – Welcome Everyone
• H – Heal the Hurting
• A – Affirm the Faith
• T – Take the Message

Welcome Everyone – Bethany is a church for all people. We have sung it since we were children, “Red and yellow, black and white, [and brown] they are precious in His sight.” Being a church for everyone means:

• Everyone is invited.
• Everyone is greeted.
• Everyone is ministered to.
• Everyone is included.
• Everyone is serving.

Heal the Hurting – It has been said that the church is to be a “hospital for sinners rather than a country club for saints [only].” Several men of God have spoken that Oasis Bethany Church is to be a “hospital for the hurting,” “a place of healing and restoration,” etc. God anoints us as we continue the mission of Christ:

Isaiah 61:1-3: The Spirit of the Almighty LORD is with me because the LORD has anointed me to deliver good news to humble people. He has sent me to heal those who are brokenhearted, to announce that captives will be set free and prisoners will be released.: He has sent me to announce the year of the LORD’s good will and the day of our God’s vengeance, to comfort all those who grieve.: He has sent me to provide for all those who grieve in Zion, to give them crowns instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of tears of grief, and clothes of praise instead of a spirit of weakness. They will be called Oaks of Righteousness, the Plantings of the LORD, so that he might display his glory.

Healing the hurting involves us (His body) in the continuation of Christ’s (the head) ministry here on earth.

Affirm the Faith – One of our 5 purposes, Disciple, reminds us that Christ commanded us to make disciples of all men. We are not to merely make introductions to Christ, we are to teach them how to follow Him. Other Biblical references include:

Philemon 1:6: “As you share the faith you have in common with others, I pray that you may come to have a complete knowledge of every blessing we have in Christ.”

II Timothy 2:2: “and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”

Affirming the Faith involves learning and teaching others the principles that we find in the Word of God. It also involves testifying to the effect of the Gospel on our lives and walking out the Christian faith daily:

Philippians 1:27: “Live as citizens who reflect the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come to see you or whether I stay away, I’ll hear all about you. I’ll hear that you are firmly united in spirit, united in fighting for the faith that the Good News brings.”

I Timothy 4:12b: “make your speech, behavior, love, faith, and purity an example for other believers.”

The Christian faith is also affirmed when we reach out with practical love to those who are hurting:

James 1:27: Pure, unstained religion, according to God our Father, is to take care of orphans and widows when they suffer and to remain uncorrupted by this world.

Take the Message – The Great Command was given by Jesus to the church He established. It was not given to the world who doesn’t even know Him. However, some believers act as though the message was to the sinner to “Come.”  Yet Jesus clearly commissioned His followers to “Go.” Taking the message is what happens outside of the church campus. It is when we intentionally move out to where the unchurched, unsaved people live and invite them to come, that we are fulfilling this command:

Matthew 22:9: “Go therefore to the main roads and invite…as many as you find.”

Mark 16:15: “And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.’”

Our Core Values:

“Go into all the W.O.R.L.D…”

Jesus instructed his followers to go into all the world and share this good news with everyone – Jesus loves you and God has a purpose for your life. Together, we discover God’s purpose through these five core values:

• W – Worship – Connecting with God
• O – Outreach – Sharing Jesus with Others
• R – Relationships – Connecting with God’s family
• L – Love – Practical ministry to the hurting
• D – Discipleship – Following Jesus’ example