What is Compassion Ministries?
Compassion Ministries is a network of local outreach ministries that fulfill Jesus’ directive in Matthew 25:34-40: “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Compassion Ministries exists for the purpose of helping those in our community who are in need.
If you are looking for an opportunity to serve within BCA, consider these local outreach ministries. Additionally, each month Compassion Ministries has a particular focus, so watch for bulletin information and listen for announcements in the worship services. Download and print a brochure listing our Ministry Opportunities.
Active Inclusion Ministries (AIM)
AIM is designed to integrate individuals of all ages with special needs and challenges into the body of Christ. Our team reaches out to help them feel unconditional love and acceptance regardless of their abilities. Our vision is to create passionate, equipped ministers and ministries, with the specific mission to actively involve these individuals. The AIM team raises awareness, educates people, and then allows God to change their hearts and perspective toward those with special needs. Active caring is more than nice words; it is doing something to show your love, kindness, and interest.
AIM provides programs enabling parents of persons with special needs to worship together, buddies for children helping them participate in classes, adult shadows for adults who need to be accompanied to classes or worship, opportunities to use their unique gifts to serve, and trained ushers and greeters to help direct and connect individuals to an AIM team member. To learn how you can become an Adult Shadow, Children’s Buddy, Usher/Greeter, or Trainer, see the AIM brochure or contact the church office at 425.339.3303.
Benevolence
We as a church body are concerned about the less fortunate and hurting people in our church and our community. Our desire is to provide food and financial support through the Compassion Ministries Benevolence Fund, generously provided by monthly donations from the congregation. These funds are used to purchase food for the food pantry, make rent and mortgage payments, and to provide payments for household utility bills. We also help in emergency situations for gasoline for vehicles or with emergency transportation. Each request for assistance is reviewed by the Compassion Ministry Team. If approved, payments may be made depending upon available funds. If you have a desire to financially help those less fortunate in our community, please indicate “Compassion Ministries - Benevolence Fund” on your giving envelope and place it in the weekly offering.
Shut-In Ministry
This ministry is for those that are unable to attend BCA due to physical limitations. Through telephone calls, personal visits, meals during health recovery periods, retirement home services, and more, shut-ins are connected with BCA’s current events and provided personal contact with those from their home church. This congregational care ministry is lead by Pastor Nels Lien and his wife Vi, along with other dedicated Bethany volunteers.
Food Pantry
Compassion Ministries assists those in need within our BCA family and the Everett community by providing emergency food through our Food Pantry. Our church family routinely donates non-perishable food items, and all-church food drives are held each spring and fall to replenish the critical supplies. Volunteers prepare grocery bags for single individuals and for families. When people come to the church office requesting emergency food assistance, one of our ministers shares God’s love by providing food and praying for any special needs. We also provide gift certificates for individual meals for the homeless who may not have access to cooking facilities. Financial contributions for food assistance can be given through your regular offerings by indicating “Compassion Ministries - Food Pantry” on your giving envelope.
The following non-perishable food items are accepted at any time. Please bring your donations to the church and place them in the marked container in the church lobby.
- Peanut butter (18-20 oz.)
- Jam or jelly (12 oz.)
- Canned soups (15-19 oz.)
- Dried soups (Ramen)
- Canned chili (15-19 oz.)
- Canned vegetables (15 oz.)
- Canned fruit (15 oz.)
- Shelf-stable drinks/juices
- Canned meats (6-8 oz.)
- Macaroni & cheese boxes
- Tuna/chicken/beef/ham
- Evaporated milk (not condensed milk)
Thanksgiving and Christmas Food Baskets
This is an exciting ministry for Compassion Ministries as many individuals and families have the opportunity to volunteer and participate! The holidays are a wonderful time for us to reach out to those who are in need within our church family and the community by providing food baskets containing the items for a complete Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. Our goal is to annually provide 100 food baskets for each holiday. Beginning in late October and continuing through the holidays, the congregation is asked to give financially to provide for the baskets. The food items are purchased by a volunteer group and the baskets are assembled and distributed on the Saturdays before Thanksgiving and Christmas by our great BCA volunteers. Assembling the baskets is a fun day with many families participating. This is a wonderful and practical way for children to learn about helping those in need, and most importantly, about giving. Volunteers are also needed to deliver baskets to those who are unable to pick them up.
To contribute toward the holiday baskets, please indicate “Compassion Ministries - Thanksgiving /Christmas Food Baskets” on your giving envelope. To volunteer to help with this effort, contact Compassion Ministries through the church office.
Christmas Giving Tree
Each Christmas season the congregation provides Christmas gifts for the children of families assisted by Compassion Ministries. Each year a Christmas tree is placed in the church lobby. Gift tags that indicate the age and gender of the children are placed on the tree. Individuals, families, or small groups from the congregation select the tags, purchase the appropriate gifts, and bring them unwrapped to the church. The gifts are sorted and distributed to the families by Giving Tree volunteers. Look for the Giving Tree in the lobby each November and for information in the church bulletin. You will be blessed as you give to a child in need! To volunteer to help with this great Christmas ministry, contact Compassion Ministries.
Everett Gospel Mission
Bethany has partnered with the Everett Gospel Mission for several years. Since October 2006, our teams have prepared and served the noon meal and led a chapel service each Sunday. To assist with the costs, ongoing financial support has been provided by the generous giving of our congregation. Over the years we have developed relationships with the homeless at the Everett Gospel Mission. There are several ways for you to become involved in this great local outreach ministry. Contact Compassion Ministries if you want to help in any area.
1. Our Sunday ministry teams prepare and serve between 150 and 200 warm and satisfying meals each Sunday, or around 10,000 meals each year. Most teams serve once per month, some serve every other month, and some serve on the fifth Sunday. This is a great way for small groups or families with older children (must be 16 years or older to assist at the mission) to serve together. New volunteers are placed into established teams. Our teams have shared how meaningful it is to work together to serve others.
2. We also provide a chapel service prior to the noon meal in the mission’s cafeteria/activity center. Six to eight speaking teams, a leader and prayer/table counselors, share a rotating schedule. A yearly Biblical teaching is planned; recently completed are the Gospels of John and Mark and Paul’s letter to the Romans. If you have a heart to share the gospel, give your testimony, or pray with the men and women who attend this noon meal, contact us about joining a team.
3. Music and worship are an important part of the chapel services. If you have the talent and desire to share in music and song once a month, contact Compassion Ministries or the Music Department at 425-339-3303.
Women’s Support Programs
There are many women’s outreach opportunities within our Everett community. Compassion Ministries has teamed up with the Women’s Shelter at the Everett Gospel Mission, Evergreen Manor, and Recovery for Life Training Centers (Queen, It’s a New Day). Compassion Ministries is the conduit for the ladies of BCA to donate clothing items, gifts, time, talents, and finances to these groups. We also provide holiday food baskets and gifts for their children at Christmas.
Projects for these groups take place throughout the year and are presented in the church bulletin or during announcements. To assist with this great ministry, contact Compassion Ministries.
Children’s Support Programs
We want to be a light in our community as we reach out to those in need, especially children in need. Compassion Ministries has developed a relationship with Hawthorne Elementary School in the Everett School District. Hawthorne serves approximately 525 children who speak 14 different languages. There are also numerous children from homeless families who attend the school. Volunteer opportunities at the school include assisting in the “after school” homework club and tutoring. If you’re interested in volunteering, call Heather Hallman, Hawthorne Volunteer Coordinator, at 425-385-4656.
An annual food drive is held to provide individual portion food items for the children of homeless families who attend Hawthorne. A list of needed food items is presented to the congregation. The items are collected and delivered to the school. Each Friday the school provides backpacks full of food for weekend meals for these children. This is a very unique opportunity to help feed children in our community. Contact Compassion Ministries if you want to make a difference in the lives of these children.
Each August, Compassion Ministries sponsors a school supply drive for Hawthorne Elementary School. The congregation is provided with a list of needed items, which are collected and delivered to the school. The supplies are distributed to children whose families are unable to afford school supplies. To be part of this volunteer opportunity in July/August, contact Compassion Ministries.
Christmas at Bethany/Advance Team
Compassion Ministries has teamed up with BCA’s Music Department to raise financial support for the annual Christmas at Bethany Benefit Concert. The Advance Team plans for and solicits financial support from both corporate and individual donors to fully fund the production costs of this annual benefit concert. This allows for 100% of the offerings received at the Christmas at Bethany performances to be used entirely for the support of the many programs of Compassion Ministries. The financial support received is critical to the ongoing support of our participation at the Everett Gospel Mission and the many Benevolence requests we receive throughout the year. If you have a desire to serve on the Advance Team or to help support this benefit concert, contact Compassion Ministries.
Community Service
Many of the skills and talents of our congregation could be of help to individuals in our community. Compassion Ministries is leading this new outreach ministry of connecting those who want to serve and those who may benefit from their skills/talents. If you have an area of expertise and want to assist others, contact Compassion Ministries.
How can you help?
1. Volunteer to serve in one of the Compassion Ministries opportunities described above. Download the Ministry Opportunities brochure and submit the completed form to the office or at the Information Center.
2. Donate non-perishable food items to our Food Pantry by placing them in a box located in the foyer. Donations are needed throughout the year.
3. Give financially to Compassion Ministries on a regular basis or as requested for special outreach events by designating this on your offering envelope.
The Compassion Ministry Leadership Team uses the resources that you provide to help meet the needs of the people in our community. By meeting their physical needs, we are afforded the opportunity to help with spiritual needs as well. Nearly every Compassion Ministry is sustained by volunteer hours and generous financial support. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Craig Thompson.
Thank you for your generous support and continued prayers.