Imagine, Nov 2011

Article for 'Imagine', a bi-monthly, hard copy newsletter distributed by Christian mission organisation WEC International (wec.com.au) I researched and wrote regular articles for this newspaper, from 2006 to 2012. My brief was to profile the work being done by Australian missionaries overseas, with the aim of attracting others to the mission field and generating an interest in the work of WEC. 

 




Imagine, Issue 11 2011, page 6

Link to article online: Imagine Betel article
 

When God changes lives, people notice.

In the case of Betel – WEC’s churchplanting ministry among the homeless and addicted – the secular world is noticing.

Betel offers marginalised and substance-dependent people all over the world the opportunity to be part of a live-in community, gain work skills, and ultimately know Jesus Christ as their Saviour.

In Spain Betel was praised in a recently-released book, sponsored by the Spanish government, for the important role it plays in meeting the needs of the marginalised. Betel provides more than 1,000 beds in free residential programs across the country.

Triodos Bank – the world’s largest ‘ethical’ bank – has also recognised Betel, inviting Betel’s International Director Elliott Tepper to speak at its annual meeting. The largely secular audience of more than 100 bankers expressed wonder at the continued expansion of Betel’s ministry in the current financial climate, and Betel was presented as “an outstanding social initiative”.

Publicity is good, eternity is better.

The work of Betel isn’t just about restoring life – it’s about eternal life. And it’s a ministry that has a flow-on effect, as those whose lives have been changed, go out and share the gospel themselves.

Expelled from his north-east Indian village, Ayo (pictured) was one of the first addicts entering Betel India in 2000. His life was transformed by the Holy Spirit and he went on to work with Betel, helping to establish centres in three Indian cities before opening Betel’s first centre in Nepal. In 2008 Ayo was invited back as guest of honour, and was publicly honoured, in his home village, from which he had been ejected as an addict. Today two of Ayo’s sisters, inspired by the transformation in his life, are serving with Betel. (Sadly Ayo lost his battle with AIDS in late-September.)

Many of the first attendees of Betel churches planted in Spain were the parents of ‘Betelitos’, men whose lives were eternally changed through Betel.  These parents would visit their sons on Sundays, and in doing so saw an answer in Christianity that they had not known in their Catholic faith. Betel has planted 40 churches across Spain, all of which began with recovering substance abusers meeting together. Another 40 are in various stages of being planted as we speak.

God is answering

“We believe much of the recent blessing upon Betel is a direct result of our renewed emphasis on prayer,” said Elliott Tepper, International Director for Betel.

Betel’s recently-established prayer ministry sees a team of intercessors praying for the work of Betel seven days a week, including a monthly all-night prayer vigil. Each Betel centre around the world participates in the prayer schedule, praying regularly and fasting one day each month.

And blessings abound. Betel is continually expanding, and most recently began operations in two new countries: Belgium and South Africa. Over the next two years plans are afoot to open 31 new centres world-wide. And a Christian philanthropist in the UK has recently donated several properties for Betel’s use, rent-free.

From the field:

Aussies Jason and Renee Budden spent two years working with Betel in Spain, before returning to Australia where they have spent the past three years helping establish Betel Australia.

“The hardest thing about this work is when you see people come through our doors and then leave too quickly and go back where they came from,” said Renee.

“But then you’ll  get a phone call, and it will be someone who left six months ago and they’ve stayed clean and are going to church; and it’s a reminder that this does work,” she said.

“We have to remind ourselves that this is not a war against flesh and blood; this is a spiritual war and we are grabbing these lives out of the hands of the devil, and he doesn’t like that.”

“God is rescuing people from the most horrible situations – it’s just a miracle!”

 

What about you?

Betel has over 60 centres worldwide, where people like you are sharing the love of Jesus in community. The challenges are real, but the opportunity is for hurting people to find eternal life - is God preparing you to be part of their journey?