Bethany Missionary Church History — Harold Brokke

Well, we have a lot of history, a lot of background. And it's been a privilege for Kathy and myself to be a part of the vision of this church and all the things that have come through it, not only here, but to the ends of the earth.

Bethany Chapel Church Is Founded

Now, in order to keep my thoughts organized, I'm going to read something rather than just ad lib. And I need to get it close enough to my eyes so I can see it. 60 years ago on Palm Sunday, April 16, 1943, 16 people who were a part of Ted Hegry's Sunday afternoon Bible study group met in a home and incorporated Bethany Chapel Church as an independent church.

Ted Hegry was called to be the pastor. Reeve Adaland was called as a parish worker. Of that group of 16 who are still with us today, there's five members with the church and later the fellowship. Hal Strand and Duane Love Strand, Betty Johnson are here as those from that five couples.

And of course, many of the children and grandchildren of the first couples are here. The first Sunday service was on Easter Sunday, April 25, 1943. Later, a chapel building was purchased. It was located on Nicollet Avenue and 57th Street and was purchased for $7 ,000.

Total Surrender and Life in Christ

The motivating factor for the Bible study group that met in Hegry's home was a desire in these people to live in holiness, victory, and fruitfulness. Ted's message was that of Christ not only died for us, but we should be forgiven for our sins, but He took us with Him to the cross.

As it says in Romans 6, 6, and 7, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him and the body of sin might be done away, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin, quoting from Romans 6, 6, and 7.

That by total surrender to Him, we can say with the Apostle Paul, it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. Jesus gives us the Holy Spirit to make this real and to give us power to serve Him.

The Vision to Send One Hundred Missionaries

The study and receiving of this message transformed lives. One day when Ted was alone in prayer, he became convinced that God was calling the Church to send out missionaries. The number that came was 100.

He was hesitant to share the vision with the congregation. Finally, though, Ted shared what God had spoken. To his amazement, the congregation agreed and began working to reach that goal. The 100th missionary was sent out from the Church in 1976.

Biblical Challenges to Sacrificial Giving

They were challenged by God's word in Haggai 1, 4 to 6. It is a time for you to be living in your paneled houses. While this house, the temple, remains a ruin. You have planted much, but it harvests little.

You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but you never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it. Also Luke 14 .33, the same way any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.

Bethany Fellowship and the Expansion of World Missions

In response to this, a plan was drawn up for five couples to sell their homes, their houses, pool their resources, and move together to enable them to increase their contributions to world missions and to train and send missionaries.

Thus, two years later, Bethany Fellowship was birthed. So the vision of the whole of Bethany Fellowship came out of Bethany Church. And hundreds of missionaries have been trained and sent to the far corners of the earth because of Bethany Missionary Church and its humble beginnings with 16 people who were obedient to God's call.

Gratitude for the Local Body of Christ

You know, this is a great thing to be the part of the body of Christ and this local body of Christ. We are glad that we can be identified with it, be part of this vision, that not only will we have addition to the missionaries going out to the ends of the earth, but multiplication of what God wants to do.

And so we praise the Lord for this opportunity to have this kind of a celebration and recognition at this time. And I think there's some other things I'm supposed to invite.