Colin Church’s Story

What Does Bethesda Presbyterian Church Mean to Me? Fifty-plus years ago, I moved to Bethesda and entered BPC for the first time: the Church that named Bethesda. At that time, I sat in the very last pew in the Sanctuary next to the door. That was for a quick and hopefully unnoticed escape if need be. I could not have guessed that it would become one of the most important moments in my life. 

Since then, a lot has happened, and BPC has come to have great meaning for me. I am proud to be a member.

BPC has provided a home to refresh my childhood Christian faith and has become a place for me and my family to belong. We share common values with other members and friends of BPC. It has served as a place of healing when things have gone wrong in my personal life. It has provided lifetime friendships and through these friendship, wise counsel when I wasn’t sure what was the best thing to do. It has helped nourish my hopes for my life after death.

Activities within BPC have provided a sense of purpose. Whether these activities are large or small, they have moved my focus from “self” to “others”. This has, in my opinion, made me a better person, for which I am very grateful.

As BPC soon moves into its fourth century, there is joy and hope for an even better future. In the midst of booming growth next door to us, there are great opportunities for BPC to grow within the Bethesda community.

In the future, I personally hope BPC will increase its reaching out with our Christian message to our community and beyond. I hope that BPC will increase its ability to serve through membership growth and financial stability. While doing these good things, I hope we will increase our joy while spreading the very Good News message. I am confident BPC will continue to provide a helping hand to those in need and provide hope to many.

May God bless us all!