Bethel...the Church @ Franklin Mills

 

For most of us, Bethel’s history begins at Franklin Mills and the renovated movie theater that we first occupied in September of 2004. If you were to ask some long-time Bethel attendees, though, you might hear about Bethel’s very first meeting in 1917, or how Bethel bought its first building just as the market was crashing in 1929 (talk about bad timing!), or how Bethel outgrew the Oxford Avenue property (doing four Sunday services!).

Now, we are in the position to purchase our current property. In order to do so, there are several steps that we need to take. These steps involve paying off debt, making repairs, getting ready for taxes and saving money in order to get us ready to get a mortgage.  A successful "Be The Light" campaign will put us in a position to do just that.

The “Be The Light” Campaign is a necessary next step in our growth as a church. When God first let us occupy this property in September of 2004, He gave it to us at an incredibly low lease rate.

When we initially got the building, it was an unusable empty shell. However, God gave us the ability to put our money (almost $2 million) into renovating the building and making it what it is today. The lease we signed was a 10-year lease, and we’re now half-way through that agreement. We have the right to purchase this property at any point during the lease. As part of this lease, we’ve already negotiated a purchase price for the property that is below its current market value. Therefore, we have five years to buy this property, and “Be The Light” will get us ready to make this purchase.

Click here to see a brochure

WHAT WILL "BE THE LIGHT" ACCOMPLISH?

NEW! See below each item for an update of what we've been able to accomplish through "Be The Light" in the first year.

1. It will allow us to pay off all of our existing construction debt, about $420,000.
   
   UPDATE (11/10): we started with three loans, (a bank construction loan, a private construction loan & a loan for the Lobby Rooftop unit).  In the first year, we were able to pay off the Lobby Loan & the private construction loan!
   
   Our bank construction loan has been paid down to about $220,000!
   
   
2. In order to get a mortgage, we will incur various expenses (Philadelphia transfer tax, title insurance, etc.) about $194,000.
   
   
3. There are various “big-ticket” expenses that we have not been able to pay for out of our existing budget (roof-top air conditioning units, etc.).
   These are costly and necessary expenditures to keep the building well cared for in order to get a mortgage. Such expenses total about $186,000.
   
   UPDATE (11/10): in the first year of Be The Light, we were able to start waterproofing the exterior walls, start repairing all of the cracks in our Parking Lot, install snow guards over our entrance, fix a large part of the roof and install a new Heating/AC unit over our classrooms!
   
   
4. We will renovate the room next to the Youth Center, turning it into a multi-purpose room. This will give us more room for our youth and will also, finally, give us much-needed meeting space for adults. This will cost about $200,000.
   
   UPDATE (11/10): the plans for this room have been approved by The City of Philadelphia (great news!). We have begun the bidding process with subcontractors. We expect the first phase of work to begin within the next few months! Stay tuned for more information. 
   
   
5. Perhaps the coolest part of “Be The Light” will be our ability to take 10% of everything we receive to bless those around the world. We’re praying that God gives us at least $100,000 to use worldwide to help the poor, hungry and suffering. How cool will it be to realize that God is allowing Bethel to be a blessing around the world, and not just locally? What a great next chapter for Bethel!!!
   
   UPDATE (11/10): after the earthquake in Haiti, we were able to send over $4,000 for relief. Recently Pastor Steve and Dave Chandler went to Haiti with a partnering organization called OMS. While they were there, they visited a radio station, medical and Aids clinics and Emmaus Biblical Seminary.  They also visited a local church connected with the Starfish program, which feeds 8,000 kids, while providing a basic education. Pastor Steve & David were able to encourage local Pastors and missionaries.  Through "Be The Light," we committed to provide a 3.5 year scholarship for a student named Jean-Marie Leme, who is being trained to be a Pastor at Emmaus Biblical Seminary. Click here to read his amazing story.
   
   Click here to read the blog of Matt and Stacey Ayers who serve at the Emmaus Seminary in Haiti.
   
   We also hosted our first "SHINE" day, where hundreds of Bethel people were the hands & feet of Jesus to the community.
   
   We also acted as a collections center for Operation Christmas Child, where we collected 1,960 shoeboxes to be shipped to less fortunate children around the world. These shoeboxes also contain the message of Jesus Christ, in their own language translation.  We also sent a team down to Samaritans Purse in North Carolina 12/1-12/4 to help process, pack and ship thousands of shoeboxes out. Stay tuned for photos and updates from their trip.
   

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Throughout the Campaign, check back here for important updates, reports, announcements, info about upcoming events and more...

• IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS: We are overwhelmed by the giving response of people at Bethel to "Be The Light" (thank you)! As a result, we'd like to offer these instructions to allow our Finance Department to properly and efficiently process your donations:

• when writing a check to "BE THE LIGHT," please write out a separate check from your general offering and make sure you write "BE THE LIGHT" on the memo line. 
  
  
• When giving cash to "BE THE LIGHT," please use a "BE THE LIGHT" envelope.
  
  
• See below for instructions when giving ONLINE.
  
  

GIVE ONLINE

To make a secure, online donation to "Be The Light," click here. MAKE SURE YOU WRITE "BE THE LIGHT" in the designation area.

MAKE A COMMITMENT

Click here if you'd like to complete & submit a Commitment Card online.

Or...

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

If you have any questions about "Be The Light," please submit it below. We will post the question with the answer on this site within 3 business days.

Your Name (optional):

Your Email Address (optional):

Click here if you DO NOT want us to post your question on website:

Enter the numbers as they
are shown in the image above