Beyond Sunday at Bethlehem Church

Starting an Inclusive Special Needs Ministry: Logistics, Strategies, and Best Practices

What does it take to build a church culture where every person feels seen, valued, and included? In this episode of Beyond Sunday, we sit down with Nan Britt, our Special Needs Church Ministry Consultant, and Brad Carter, our Executive Pastor of Operations, to explore both the heart and the how of starting an inclusive special needs ministry.

You'll hear the "why" behind Bethlehem's commitment to accessibility—from building design to volunteer culture—and learn practical strategies for risk management, legal considerations, and meeting individual needs. Whether you're in leadership, volunteering, or have a heart for inclusion, we believe this conversation will be an excellent resource for other churches looking to start a special needs ministry.

Connect, Belong, and Grow: A Spring Groups Recap

In this episode, we're sitting down with Angela, Kevin, Aaron, Julie, and Shane from the Discipleship Team to look back on an incredible spring semester of Groups at Bethlehem Church. From deepening relationships to life-changing conversations, you'll hear powerful stories, practical tips on connecting, belonging, and growing, and catching exciting glimpses of what's ahead.

Let's talk about why Groups matter, how to lead well and finish strong, and what's next for community at Bethlehem Church. Whether or not you've participated in Groups, there is something in this episode for you!

For more information about Groups at Bethlehem Church, check out our website.

https://bethlehemchurch.us/groups/

 

Voices from the DR – Students on Mission Pt. 2

This week on Beyond Sunday, we’re back with Part 2 of Voices from the DR: Students on Mission—continuing the powerful stories from our first-ever student mission trip to the Dominican Republic. Angela and 316 Student Pastor Spencer Haynes return to the mic, this time joined by four more incredible students: Kyleigh Allison, Carson Tonge, Jonathan Pluguez, and Noah Sloan.

From pre-trip fears to life-changing moments on the ground, these students open up about how the mission challenged their faith, deepened their understanding of the Great Commission, and stirred a passion to live boldly for Christ. Whether you’re a student, parent, or someone wondering what it means to live on mission, this episode is for you.

Be sure to listen to Part 1 if you missed it, and stay tuned for more stories in this ongoing series as we celebrate what God is doing Beyond Sunday.

Learn more about future trips at bethlehemchurch.us/trips
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Voices from the DR - Students on Mission Pt. 1

In this episode of Beyond Sunday, we’re passing the mic to the next generation. During spring break, 29 high school students from Bethlehem Church took part in our first-ever student mission trip to the Dominican Republic—and today, four of them are sharing how it changed everything.

Join our 316 Student Pastor Spencer Haynes and students Carson, Gloria, Sophie, and Jordan as they talk about what led them to go, how they overcame fear, and what God showed them about His mission. It’s a fun, uplifting, and faith-building conversation about stepping out, sharing the gospel, and discovering a deeper sense of calling.

Whether you’ve been on a mission trip or are just exploring what it means to live on mission, this episode will challenge and inspire you to follow Jesus—Beyond Sunday.

Learn more or get involved: bethlehemchurch.us/trips
Subscribe, share, and stay tuned for Part 2!

 

Voices from the DR: Moms Who Lead

This Mother’s Day episode of the Beyond Sunday Podcast features four inspiring moms—Nan Britt, Lyndsey Piland, Julie Cavoretto, and Abby Goodwin—who recently traveled to the Dominican Republic on our church’s first-ever student mission trip. Hear how they navigated the fears, embraced the call, and witnessed their high schoolers grow in bold faith while serving others. From powerful moments on the mission field to deeper conversations at home, this episode highlights how moms are leading their families in living out the Great Commission.

Ready to be encouraged? Let’s go Beyond Sunday.

Easter at Bethlehem 2025: Stories of God's Faithfulness with Our Campus Pastors

In this special episode of the Beyond Sunday at Bethlehem Podcast, we're going behind the scenes of Easter at Bethlehem 2025! Join Pastors Kyle, Jeremy, and Dustin as they reflect on how God moved in powerful ways at sixteen services across our campuses during one of the biggest weekends of the year. Hear personal stories, behind-the-scenes moments, and the heart behind the preparation that led up to Easter Sunday. Whether you celebrated with us in person or are tuning in now, this conversation will give you a front-row seat to the life change, faith decisions, and unforgettable moments that made this Easter one to remember.

 

If you were impacted this Easter or made a decision to follow Jesus, we'd love to hear from you—visit bethlehemchurch.us to take your next step. Subscribe, share, and join us as we continue the conversation Beyond Sunday.

Bethlehem Buddies – Casting Vision for the Local Church and Beyond

In this inspiring episode of Beyond Sunday, we shine a spotlight on one of the most cherished ministries at Bethlehem Church: Bethlehem Buddies, an inclusive ministry for children and adults with special needs. Founded over a decade ago by Nan Britt, this ministry now serves over 250 families and continues to be a powerful expression of God’s love in action.

Join hosts Angela and Kevin as they welcome Nan and Lead Pastor Jason Britt to the podcast. Together, they share the heart, the history, and the ongoing mission behind Bethlehem Buddies. From its humble beginnings to the powerful impact it’s had on families, volunteers, and staff alike, this conversation is full of practical insight, heartfelt stories, and a compelling vision for what it means to be the Church.

Whether you’re curious about launching a similar ministry or simply looking for encouragement on what inclusion can look like within the body of Christ, this episode will challenge, inspire, and equip you to take the next step.

For more information, email nan@bethlehemchurch.us or matt.waring@bethlehemchurch.us, or visit our website at https://bethlehemchurch.us/bethlehem-buddies/

 

After the Digital Fast - ReEntry

As we return to life beyond our 28-day Digital Fast, we sit down with Pastor Jason to unpack the journey and the reentry. We discuss the biggest takeaways for us personally, for Bethlehem Church, and for the Church at large.

In this episode, we reflect on areas of growth, the moments that surprised us, and the daily disciplines that have reshaped our relationship with technology. Pastor Jason challenges us to be INTENTIONAL instead of INSTINCTUAL when it comes to how we use our phones. This isn't just about screen time. It's a matter of discipleship and forming habits that lead us toward greater awareness of Jesus' presence, deeper rest, and a renewed mind.

Digital Fast Week 4 - Determining the Course

As we enter the final week of our Digital Fast, we turn the page to Week 4’s theme: “Determine.” In this episode, we reflect on what we’ve learned and how this fast has shaped us—spiritually, relationally, and personally. What fruit has come from this intentional pause? What priorities have become clear? And how do we carry this clarity into the days ahead?

Join Angela, Kevin, Chevas, and Emma as they share stories of transformation, honest insights about challenges, and the surprising joy from detaching to reconnect. From pulling up spiritual “weeds” to reordering priorities and rediscovering the practice of abiding in God, this conversation is both grounding and inspiring.

We’ll also look at Proverbs 4:23 and John 15, discussing what it means to guard your heart and abide in God’s presence.

If you’ve ever struggled with distraction, disconnection, or the busyness of digital life, this episode is a powerful reminder that what matters most is often what we’ve been too busy to notice.

Digital Fast Week 3 - Delighting in God's Word

As we enter Week 3 of the Digital Fast, our theme turns to Delight—not in the finished product, but in the present moment. This week’s conversation invites us to pause and consider: What does it look like to delight in God’s Word right now, in the middle of the fast, not just at the end?

Join Angela, Kevin, Matt Piland, and Kyle Hale as they reflect on:
What it means to take delight during the process, not just the result.
Specific ways they’re delighting in God’s Word right now.
How stillness and solitude have opened space for a deeper relationship.
Why solitude can feel uncomfortable—and how we can press through resistance to encounter God more fully.

We’ve walked through Detaching and Discovering—now let’s explore how to Delight in the truth, beauty, and presence of God.