A History of the Beth-El Congregation

1950s   1960s   1970s   1980s   1990s   2000s   Ministers

Beginnings

From a Colorado Springs Gazette newspaper clipping dated October 1, 1956:

"There has been a growing conviction with many members of the First Mennonite Church of Colorado springs that the witness of the church should expand within our city. During the past few years several attempts have been made to make this expansion possible. At this point it appears to some that the logical way to implement this program of evangelism and enlargement of the Mennonite witness would be to form another fellowship of Mennonites in the city, to work independently of the existing church (sic. First Mennonite). This is not being done with a spirit of ill will toward others with whom they have been working and enjoying fellowship. The decision comes out of a strong conviction and a deep sense of stewardship to God; and feeling that such action is necessary to the expansion of the program of Christ. This group will be subject to the South Central Conference, and wishes to cooperate with them in all matters of church administration and discipline. They have asked Jess Kaufman to be their pastor. A full scale program of evangelism and church activities will be started as fast as expedient. All persons who share in the convictions and the concerns of this interest group are welcome."

The temporary church home for the congregation was in the La Placita Room of  the downtown YWCA building, corner of Nevada & Kiowa.  The building now contains a restaurant and businesses.  Their first bulletin was put together for the Sunday morning service on October 7, 1956.  The front cover reads:

October 12, 1956 "The Church's Debt to the World." 

Jess Kaufman, Pastor 
Adult Supt.: Bob Groff Primary Supt.: Mary Zercher
Sunday School  10:00am Worship Server  11:00am

A newly formed Mennonite Fellowship for Colorado Springs. Organized for the purpose of

The first meeting of the WMSA (Women's Mission and Service Auxiliary) for the newly established church was held on October 12, 1956 at the Willis and Matilda Kanagy home in Manitou Springs with 7 ladies present: Luetta Brenneman, Edna Brian, Myrtle Friesen, Fern Groff, Matilda Kanagy, Elizabeth Shetler, Mary Zercher.   Other ladies of WMSA not present at the time were Melva Brunk, Mary Cooke, Kathryn Miller, Erna Shetler, Ardis Wilson, Miriam Klopfenstein, Agnes Kaufman, Viola Kaufman. 

Willis Kanagy notes:  "There was a strong feeling the new church should be more evangelical and reach out in the community. One group of three or four people wanted to leave "Mennonite" out of the name."

"We are grateful for the way the Lord has manifested himself in many ways during these days of organization. His leading has been noticeable in many respects. Let us not forget to praise him for what he has done and will do through us, if we yield completely to him." 

The bulletin on the next Sunday, October 14, 1956, listed attendance of 62 and offering of $141.01.  By the end of 1956, with regular attendance around 60, the name "Beth-El Mennonite Church" was chosen, first appearing on December 23, 1956. In that bulletin was a paragraph describing how the name had been chosen, and explaining the meaning as house of God:   

"It will be our challenge to make both the names Beth-El and Mennonite mean what they should. Names mean nothing, if we are not willing to represent the things that the name connotes." ... "We have been presented with an open door for expanded ministry and outreach: Prison Ministry, which will involve Bible studies every Friday night, leading a worship service every other Sunday." 

Just over two years after its founding - in early 1959 - the church was anticipating the coming of a new pastor, Paul Wittrig. 

Other bulletin items from the late 1950's continued to express a sense of family:

The Second Home for Beth-El

"God has been very good. May we be truly thankful for all his blessings to us. A property had been purchased on the corner of Yuma and Uintah Streets. A Building committee was working on plans, and a ground breaking service was held July 26, 1959. Willis Kanagy agreed to be the building contractor." 

The property was purchased at the extreme Eastern edge of town from a turkey farmer.  The site was located on top of an empty hill overlooking Knob Hill and the slowly encroaching city to the Southwest.  As the building contractor, Willis Kanagy noted: 

"Later I realized that I first should have said, 'On one condition - that you get out of my way and let me do it.' After forty years in the construction business, I didn't need a committee to build a building.... The plans were based on an L-shaped building, along the line of the church in Glenwood Springs....We started construction in 1959 and finished in 1961. It took so long because we almost ran out of money. We were only able to finish it after it was decided to sell bonds to raise enough money. The wood arches were up without a roof for most of one winter. Before the roof was on, the tall window for the front of the building had been delivered and was leaning against an inside wall. One night there was a big wind storm and the next morning, the window was lying flat on the floor of the entry - without a single pane of glass broken."  Amen

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       Finding Itself

The early 1960s saw the church struggling for stable leadership under Paul Wittrig and Earl Yeackley.  Cliff King followed until Darrel Otto became pastor who stabilized the church over the first longer tenure, 1963-1968.

Physical Structures

The laying of the corner stone for the new church building occurred on Sunday, Dec 18, 1960.  A packet was placed in the corner-stone containing a Bulletin of the morning service and two bulletins of the afternoon corner-stone laying service, with the signatures of each person attending.  The package also contained the 1960 annual report for Beth-El.  On July 7, 1963, (two weeks short of four years after the ground breaking service) a dedication service was held for the new building.   Beth-El's third pastor, Darrell Otto, was installed on that same day.  Interim pastor Clifford King, who led the devotional and prayer, stated: 

"God calls us to be followers of Jesus Christ and, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to grow as a community of grace, joy and peace, so that God's healing and hope may flow through us to the world. That includes both being and doing."

The parsonage (now the Fellow Center) was also built in 1963.   The congregation first worshipped using chairs in the main sanctuary.  There were no rugs on the floor.  In 1966 Folding chairs in the sanctuary were replaced by pews, and folding doors were installed as dividers in the basement.

Faith and Practice

Beth-El started with the idea of being more evangelistic and outgoing in the community. The Rocky Mountain Mennonite Conference formed in the early 1960s, and Beth-El was immediately a part of the conference.  Most women wore head coverings in the early 1960s, but this practice was gradually dropped by the end of the decade.  No formal action was taken regarding this change.  One of the defining practices of the early congregation was its openness to accepting people who were divorced.  While divorce was frowned upon, the Beth-El community did not reject divorced persons, and accepted them into church life.

Beth-El was a singing and a service-oriented church, with outstanding choirs led by Virgil Brenneman and Cliff King.  In 1965 the choir had 37 persons in the spring program and 45 in the Christmas program.  The choir traveled extensively to give programs in Denver and the Arkansas Valley.  The church also took part in service projects, including cutting logs for the Pleiades cabin at Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp in 1963 and sending work groups to clean and build Barr Camp.  Bethel participated in the Billy Graham Crusade in Denver in 1965.  In November-December 1965 Beth-El had a Stewardship Emphasis Campaign with an attempt to visit every home via 2 people teams explaining the church program and future goals.   In the early 60's the WMSA continued to meet all day in homes the first Thursday of each month until the church building was finished. 

People in the Church

In 1963, Delmar Reil was Adult S.S. Superintendent, Joe Cooke, a retired Lt.Colonel, was church treasurer, Virgil Brennemen was Board Chairman and a driving force of the church. Lester Roth was an Elder.  Many 1-W's served at Memorial and Penrose Hospitals entered into the life of the church.  On April 6, 1963 the pastor married Terry and Millie Troyer.  On June 29, 1963 the church was invited to the wedding of Francis Shetler and Beatrice Miler in Indiana.  Mona Bebe King was Primary Superintendent in 1964-1965.  Dr. Floyd and Edy Miller began attending in 1967.  Venita King was appointed Asst.Organist in 1968.

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    Growth

A number of pastors were present in the 1970's, including the addition of a youth pastor for the church in 1978 and 1979.  See the minister list at the bottom of this document.  

In the 1970's the number of young people greatly increased, and it was a good time for the Mennonite Youth Fellowship (MYF).  The MYF Convention at Estes Park in 1977 started a long line of very successful youth conventions still continued today.   Three of the Schrock children were baptized in the 70's, and after a weekend Rocky Mountain Mennonite Conference they would come home and ask, " when's the next conference?"   During the 1970s the WMSA also continued its strong emphasis on service.  In 1971 WMSA changed the name to the Women's Missionary and Service Commission (WMSC).  

Other people active in the church during the early 70's were: Elders: Eugene Miller, Arnold Miller, Pollard Byler, Wally Shellenberger, Richard Harms, Vernon Reeb, Wayne Troyer, Ed Schrock, Myrtle Friesen.  Organist/pianists for the congregation were Cheryl Bauman, Bea Shetler, Hildegard Miler.   Floyd Miller became moderator of the Rocky Mountain Conference board in 1972.  This was the first Mennonite conference board in the United States to be run by a lay leader.

In September of 1971 Beth-El assisted in the Leighton-Ford Evangelistic Reachout at Memorial Park with counseling, ushering and in the choir.  Ford is the brother-in-law of Billy Graham. Tim Irvin, former astronaut to the moon, gave his Christian testimony at one of the meetings.

1978 began with Darrel Otto serving as interim pastor, with Willard Conrad taking the reins as permanent pastor on May 1,1978.  Elders: Wally Shellenberger, Richard Harms, Clair Brenneman.  Clifford King continues as Chairman of the Board.  On July 9 the 50th wedding anniversary of Paul and Effie Wittrig was celebrated.

Frontier Boys' Village (FVB) closed on September 1, 1978. FBV's history goes back to 1960 when the Barnabas Club was organized to establish a camp site providing rehabilitation programs for delinquent boys.  FVB was set up in conjunction with the Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp Association and the Mennonite Board of Missions and Charities.  Harlan  Unrau wrote the history entitled: "Frontier Boys Village" in March 1985 (47 pages).

Membership in 1978 was Resident 105, Non-resident 38.  The church historian's Report was submitted by Oleta A.Havelock.  Chorister/organists/pianists at the time were Neil Hartzler, Lois Byler, Cliff King, Ed Schrock, Bea Shetler, Dwayne Bauman, Cheryl Bauman, Elaine Zook, Reyna Miller, and Marj Freed.  Drainage from the parking lot into the Fellowship Center basement was a continuing problem.  Grading of the parking lot was done to accommodate 66 cars and alleviate the drainage issues.   Railroad ties anchored with bars into the ground were installed as wheel stops.  A tool storage shed was proposed for the Southeast corner of the lot.

The year 1979 included the addition of a new roof to the church building. Pastor's sermons were been taped from the beginning of 1979, and made available for checkout. After 3 weeks tapes are reused.  Nine workers from Beth-El participated in a Mennonite Disaster Service project to clean up the Manitou Springs City Cemetery following the tornado of June 24, 1979.   September 8-9, 1979: Fall Retreat at Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp. Membership in 1979 was 111 Resident, 38 other.  WMSC president for 1979 was Shirley Beadles, and 1980 was Barb Eichelberger.   Throughout 1979 the WMSC worked on a quilt for the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) relief sale in Rocky Ford.   The WMSC also organized a Self-Help-Sale in 1980, netting $1,000 for MCC.   MDS roofed Martha Needle's garage.

Sunday school  superintendents in the late 70's were Don Bauman, Ed Schrock, Edy Miller, Arnie Miller, Cleta Gingerich and Irene Schrock.  Adults sponsored four classes: Elective Class, International Lesson Class, Mennonite Youth Fellowship Class, and Young Adult Class.  A summer bible school was conducted with First Mennonite Church. Organizers for the bible school were Rae Shellenberger and Pam Rediger.

 The Evangelism and Social Concerns committee resettled two Laotian refugees in Colorado Springs, and helped with clothing, food, employment, medical care, education and housing. From the Spring of 1978 to the Spring of 1980 attendance and giving to the church increased by 50%.   The church historian was Stan Brunk.

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    Stretching Out

1981     Beth-El celebrated its 25th anniversary the week-end of Oct 3-4,1981.  Over 140 letters of invitation were sent out to former members, 1W and Voluntary Service workers who attended in the past.  The anniversary celebration was attended by 160 people.  Stan Brunk, assisted by Lyonell Unruh, prepared a display of various memorabilia and pictures. 235 people attended the Sunday morning service.  The time capsule in the corner stone of the church, placed there in 1960, was opened in the service.  An hour long "Musical Recollections" program was attended by 302 persons.  Willard and Hettie Conrad served as hosts at the guest book table.  

The WMSC put on a silent auction in December which netted $245.45.  The Brotherhood Fund started the fiscal year with $444 and received contribution Four families received contributions from the BF throughout 1981.

1982    Beth-El decided in March to encourage the formation of a congregation in the Palmer Lake/Monument community to be established by October 1982.  On Oct 3, 1982, the first service of  Mountain Community Mennonite Church was held in Palmer Lake.  Beth-El hosted the Rocky Mountain Spring Conference in late April.  MDS coordinated the clean-up efforts in Estes Park during July after a man-made dam in Rocky Mountain National Park broke, releasing flood waters through the town of Estes Park.  On July 17 a group from Beth-El went to Estes Park to help move personal belongings out of wrecked house trailers. The group included Rick Shellenberger, Rick Barnes, Jake Eichelberger, Tom and George Crago (with Janet's father), Tony Miller and Dennis Myers.  

WMSC had an average attendance of 20 women.   The WMSC Mother-Daughter banquet in May was attended by 75.  The WMSC quilt for the MCC sale brought $290.

1983    WMSC proceeds from the Silent Christmas Auction went to renovating our church kitchen and digging a village well in Africa.  WMSC officers were Edy Miller, Kathy Pankratz, Judy Stolzfus, Irene Schrock, Janet Sharp, Lisa Kornhaus,and  Elaine Stjernholm. 

The Pastor's Office was established in the Fellowship Center for the first time, and the church secretary was also given office space.  A Budget surplus of $3,304 was distributed as follows: $1200 Phil Benner $ 955 Mennonite Board of Missions $ 705 Rocky Mountain Conference $ 143 Hesston College $ 126 Goshen Seminary $ 95 Mennonite Board of C.Ministries $ 55 Minority Education $ 25 Mennonite Board of Education.

1984    In the report of the administrative board chairman, Carl Gusler notes:  "In the last three years we have maintained the size of our membership while 'giving up' forty members to start a new congregation at Palmer Lake".  Installation of elder Irene Schrock, Beth-El's first female elder, was on January 15. 

 Merlin Gingerich writes for the Evangelism and Social Concerns Committee that primary functions of the committee were planning for Senior Citizens Opportunity for Program Enrichment (SCOPE) and soup kitchen towel pick-up.  On May 27 Willis and Matilda Kanagy celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

1985    MDS helped with a construction project at the East Holbrook Church near Cheraw, CO, on February 3rd.  The church dedicated several infants this year: Amber Nicole (Merlin and Phyllis Gingerich),  Dustin Roupp (Steve and Janelle Diller), Matthew Brian (Dale and Barb Daugherty), Laura Michelle (Dale and Jacque Sanchez).   Rocky Mountain Mennonite Conference was again held at Beth-El in May.   Several singing group presented programs at the church this year, including the Bel Canto Singers from Hesston College Bel Canto, and the Choraleers from Pennsylvania.   The church held its annual retreat on September 14-15 at RMMC.    Marriages this year included: Sally Steckly and Mervin Bender (December 20, 1984),  Carolyn Stalter and Raymond Beggs (Pueblo, January 17),  Verla Acker and Neil Hartzler (May 25),  Bryan Miller and Jodi Derestine (Goshen, IN May 25), Jeanette Hertzler and Jerry Martin (RMMC August 17), Bernadette DuBois and Scot Rantzel

1986    Beth-El adopted a new constitution this year.  The Administrative Board changed into a Church Council consisting of a chairman, treasurer, secretary, Pastor(s), and one representative from a minimum of five congregational commissions.  The commissions at the time were Board of Elders, Church Property, WMSC, Music, Worship, Family Life and MYF.  The choir, led by Barb Daugherty, presented a spring program in March.  On January 7th Nate and Elaine Zook Barge shared their experiences in El Salvador serving with MCC.   A group of church members went to Brazil this year to help build a school in a small village.  Ed and Irene Schrock reported on the mission to Brazil on August 17.  Ann Gusler and Pat Vendrely were married this year.  

1987    Doug Swartzentruber,  Council Chair, write:  "During 1987 many ideas turned into reality: A hospitality committee, newsletter, long-range planning committee... The final payment was made on the church mortgage. The Church Council recommends that the money formerly designated for the mortgage be added to the Church Building Fund". 

The Board of Elders consisted of Merlin Gingerich, Carl Gusler, Irene Schrock and Loren Gingerich.  Rhe Property Commission consisted of Bryan Miller, Jim Miller, Mel Troyer.  They completed a new PA system, a retaining wall on south side of the Fellowship Center, a new layer of rocks on the parking lot, new carpet in the church basement, painting the exterior of both buildings, and new church sign.  Vacation Bible School was held in June.  The church also held an outdoor service and brunch in Palmer Park on June 14.   Several outreach projects during the year included support a local health clinic, the training of six women in community health, and school kits for Bangladesh children.  The Colorado Springs Pregancy Center was supported by donations from the WMSC.   Sunday School superintendents for the year were Paula Brunk Kuhns, Dianna Harms, Sue Gillis, Eleanor Bowman, and Marvin Miller.

1988    In the annual report Floyd Miller, Council Chair, writes:  "In March 1988 there was good discussion and agreement that the church would benefit from a Photo Album Directory. The Hospitality Commission is giving leadership for the project and Bryan Miller has finished the photo sessions."  The photo album was made available to new people in the church in order to get familiar with faces and names.   

Barb Daugherty directed the choir for our annual Christmas program on December 11.   The Property Commission (Bryan Miller, Dan Gillis, Jim Miller, Mel Troyer) had a shorter improvement list than the previous year: Replaced the church foyer carpeting, placing protective film on the west foyer windows, completing new sign installation, replacing sidewalk sections, and painting of exterior of Fellowship Center.  On January 11 Jim and Susan Jantzen shared their MCC experience in the country of Chad.  A wedding shower was held for Chuck and Judy Kanagy on May 22.

1989    In October Allen and Bernelle Kanagy talked about their work with Wycliffe in Brazil. Marriages for the year included: Tony Unzicker and Carol Snyder (June 24), Brad Schrock and Katrina Esch (September 20).

1990    The Board of Elders (Richard Harms, Marvin Miller, Neil Hartzler, Karen Hill) report that the Fall Bible Conference featured Erland Waltner leading us in a Spirituality/Scripture seminar.  Wednesday evening Prayer and Praise services were initiated, with an average attendance of 20.  The congregation voted to celebrate communion each quarter of the year. On January 28 a baptism service was held for Jennifer Hartzler, Sara Hill, Jason, David and Philip Burkholder, Philip and Mary Harms, and Heidi Kinsell. 

In March the church embarked on the mission of opening an MCC Self Help Store.  The steering committee consisted of Edy Miller, Chair; Vileen Hostetler, Secr., and Jana Preheim, Treasurer.  By April it was announced at Beth-El that the name for the Self-Help Store was "Friends of the World Market Place".   Stan and Marlene Kropf led seminars for the three Mennonite churches in the area on how to run the store.  In March Marvin Miller was hired as the new store manager beginning, to begin work in September.  A potluck celebration was held for the store opening in June.

Stan Hill collected personal stories of Alternate Service and Voluntary Service from people at Beth-El.   He compiled these stories into a 125 page book entitled "Stories of Peace and Service".   Copies of the book were made available to the congregation.   Among the contributors within the congregation were Frank Brunk, Arlin and Maretta Buller, Glen Crago, Richard Harms, Neil Hartzler, Stan Hill, Willis Kanagy, Bob King, Mary Kratz, Floyd Miller, Marvin Miller, Violet Miller, Vernon Reeb, Roy Sharp, Ed and Irene Schrock, Doug Swartzentruber, Dorothy Troyer, Terry Troyer, Lyonell Unruh, Arletta Unzicker, and Ray Yeakley. 

In June, Ed and Irene Schrock shared about their two week work camp in Bolivia.  Phil and Dorcas Benner visited the church in July, and shared about their work with Wycliffe Bible Translators. 

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        Into the Future

1991    Stanley Hill, chair of the Church Council, writes in his report:  "The Persian Gulf war occupied much of our thoughts and prayers.  May was busy with the Rocky Mountain Mennonite Conference's annual convention hosted by Beth-El.  A Mission statement was adopted by the congregation this year."

In November Erland Waltner spoke at three different sessions.  Arlin and Andrea Buller reported in June on their trip to USSR with an international Mennonite Choir.   Wycliffe translators in Brazil, Allen and Bernelle Kanagy, also gave a report on their travels.  On October 7 charter member Willis Kanagy celebrated his 92nd birthday.

1992    Church Council Report states:  "A computer was purchased for the church office, thanks largely due to Bryan Miller for research.  Bea Shetler is currently learning how to use the computer with guidance from Bryan."   In January the church participate with a Harrisonville Missouri church on a work project.  The church also helped with a building project in Chinle, Arizona on July 12th.  The Hesston College Bel Canto Singers visited in March, and in July Ed & Irene Schrock were commissioned for their work in India.

1993    Carl Gusler writes in his Interim Congregation Chair's report  "The benchmark events in the life of Beth-El Congregation in the last year include: 

  1. The resignation of the pastor effective September 30, 1993. 

  2. The opening merger conversations with First Mennonite Church in October 1993 at their request. 

  3. Conversations with Merlin Thomas that give members of the congregation opportunity to review the history of the congregation.

  4. The renovation of the sanctuary and the fellowship center to improve wheel chair accessibility."

1994    Jerry Martin writes in his Congregational Chair's Report "In February 1994 the Merger Committee completed an extensive study and report on joining with First Mennonite Church. We did not merge, but our congregation benefited from reflection about purpose and goals." 

 The conversations about joining of the First Mennonite Church and Beth-El congregations was a unique point in the life of Beth-El.  Beth-El was open and receptive to the idea of growing strengthening our Christian ministry in Colorado Springs by building a larger congregation with more resources and ideas.

1995    In late September the congregation said good-bye to Marlin and Jan Thomas after two years of interim ministry. They served the congregation well with counseling, pastoring and guiding our church in healing and new growth.  Also in September the congregation welcomed  Merv Birky as our new pastor.  Merv, Venita, Kara, J.J. and Andrea Birky came to us after serving 17 years at West Union Mennonite Church in Iowa.  The whole family quickly became in integral part of our congregation.

1997    Willis Kanagy, building contractor for the Beth-El church and resident in Manitou Springs for 62 years, died in Orville OH on July 8. He was born in Ohio on October 7, 1899.

1998    Carl Gusler writes in his Administrative Elder Report: "The children's story in our morning service now has a regular attendance of 20-30 children."

The congregation continues to grow and flourish.  There are many college students from Beth-El in both church-related schools and state universities.  It is widely acknowledged that the church facilities have achieved their maximum potential.  A facilities study group has been formed to study possible solutions to the "overcrowding" situation.  The church has run out of Sunday School rooms, and is using the back of the sanctuary.  Proposals have been made to either purchase new land, buy a larger existing church, or remodel Beth-El.  Librarian Harvella Stutzman writes that the following magazines are available for reading: The Mennonite, and Mennonite Weekly Review. 

1999    On November 12 Beth-El purchased property at Union and Garden Ranch for the future site of Beth-El Mennonite Church.  The property consists of 10 acres (including hillside), with approximately 6 acres of buildable land.  The church is reviewing several different site plans, including one with two acres for housing.  Doug Swartzendruber writes for the Relocation Steering Committee: "Special thanks go to Irene Schrock and Jerry Martin for being part of the Relocation Oversight Group, to Bryan Miller and the Finance Group, to Lyonell Unruh and the Concept Design Group, to Dan Gillis and Brad Brunk for their commitment to the project, to Merv Birky and the Elders for their support and contributions, and to Brent Rychner for the numerous legal documents and banking activities he took care of."

The Mennonite Women Executive Committee consists of Edy Miller, Eulala Pegram, Sue Gillis, Millie Troyer, Tammy Roth, and Laurie Rychner.  There was an average attendance of 23 ladies at the Mennonite Women gatherings. 

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    New Millennium

Where is Beth-El heading in the future?

In the Fall of 1999 Beth-El began two worship services each Sunday morning and Wednesday evening suppers and activities. The congregation is concentrating on new opportunities to extend healing and hope, grace and nurture, growing as a community of grace, joy and peace. The Relocation Project is underway to build a new church at Union & Ranch.  The project will  create a facility large enough to extend ministries to more people, and be a viable size for those ministries to be effective.  The congregation continues the ministries of worship and nurture,  expanding them to more persons as we grow.  The Interfaith Hospitality Network provides  training for persons to be involved in variety of ministries throughout the city and the world. 

Some of the ministries Beth-El is excited about exploring in the new millennium are:  

All of which takes involvement, energy, and resources from each of us.  We want to encourage participation, not a "What will it do for me? What can I get out of this?" mentality.  What gifts and resources has God entrusted to each of us for use in the mission of the kingdom.  How can every member make Beth-El be a channel of healing and hope in Colorado Springs and in the world?  God has richly blessed this congregation with the Spirit's presence, with the opportunity to be a part of the work of the kingdom for 40+ years.  God has provided people and resources to continue that ministry into the future, and we give thanks for all God's blessings.

 

Listing of Beth-El ministers

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