“Nothing like what I expected…”

Welcome to Bethel Baptist’s brand new website courtesy of the genius and generosity of Edward Aw (http://RedHotCustomers.com)! This is my first official “blog”.

Every once in a while a friend asks me, “So, Don, how are you enjoying pastoring at Bethel Baptist church?” After almost two years my answer continues to be, “Nothing like what I expected, but EVERYTHING I dreamed!”

In the last 22 months we have had the joy of seeing two people come “alive for the first time” in Christ, four radically rededicate their lives to the Savior, and six get baptized! May Jesus Christ be praised, for to Him is all the glory and thanksgiving! Indeed, His Holy Spirit moves among us. There are challenges and frustrations, to be sure, but usually they boil down to me or my attitude. If I have my attention fixed on Jesus I can say along with the apostle Paul, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:14).

Shortly after we came on at Bethel, my wife, Judy, and I were attending a reception at our old church, Hinson, in southeast Portland. Upon seeing me across the room, our Mariners’ Sunday school teacher, and one of my real heroes in the faith, David Needham, rushed over and gave me a huge hug and smile. He said with great excitement and absolute sincerity, “Don’t let anyone tell you that the ‘honeymoon’ has to ever end at Bethel!” He was referring, of course, to that period of afterglow which usually fades shortly when a new pastor steps in and things get back to business as usual. I think I can honestly say that for me we are still in the honeymoon.

We will soon be able to “podcast” sermons, so check back with us once in a while. This website is representative of many other hidden ways that the loving family of Bethel Baptist church is incarnationally manifesting itself as the “hands, feet and mouth” our the Lord Jesus Christ.

Soli Deo Gloria! (Glory be to God alone!)

Under His Blood Together,

Don Ebel

Undershepherd