Welcome!
On behalf of the members of Bethel Baptist Church, we want to take this opportunity to welcome you to our church’s website! Thanks for taking the time to stop by. As you explore our website, you will find information about what to expect at Bethel and the various ministries that we offer for you and your family. Whether you are new to the area, a long-time resident, or just visiting, we want to make sure that you feel right at home here at Bethel. We would love for you to be our guest in worship this Sunday. We look forward to seeing you soon!
What to expect?
What kind of church is Bethel?
Bethel is a warm, friendly church with people from all backgrounds and walks of life. We are a multi-generational church that offers something for everyone in your family – from babies to children, from youth to young singles, from families with children to senior adults in their retirement years. Bethel is a conservative, Christ-centered, Bible teaching and preaching fellowship affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention (click here for Our Beliefs). We are a place for family and friends, a place to belong. Come join us at Bethel Alamogordo!
What does a typical worship service look like?
On Sunday mornings, we offer two dynamic worship services at 8:15 & 11:00 a.m. Both services are identical in format, with a blended music style led by our Music Pastor, Stephen Martone, Praise Choir and Churchestra (Piano, Keyboards, Guitar, Drums, Flutes, Violins, etc.). Congregational songs are a mix of contemporary praise & worship, modern hymn-hybrids, and classic hymns. The Praise Choir sings a choir anthem most Sunday mornings in both worship services.
Both worship services are approximately one hour to one hour and fifteen minutes in length. The services include times of prayer, congregational singing, choir anthem, offertory, sermon, and a time of response/decision. Those in attendance are encouraged to worship in spirit and in truth and to participate in the service through singing, praying, clapping/raising hands as God leads. The pastor’s sermons are usually about 30 minutes in length and are centered on God’s Word. Sermons will be either topical exposition or verse-by-verse exposition through a particular book of the Bible.
How should I dress?
We do not have a dress code. Most members and attenders dress casual or business casual, but you will find some folks in coats & ties and dresses and some in jeans and t-shirts. We want you to come dressed comfortable for worship.
Do you have childcare?
Absolutely! Our KIDz Ministry seeks to share the love and grace of Jesus Christ in a structured and safe environment. All of our children’s workers (paid and volunteer) have been interviewed and screened, including background checks. We believe that church should be the safest place in the world for your children and that you should not have to worry about your child’s safety when they are involved in one of our programs.
Our desire is for you and your children to know Jesus Christ in a real and personal way and to grow to spiritual maturity in Christ. Our children’s teachers love children and love Jesus. They look forward to helping your children learn about Jesus and His love for them!
During both Sunday morning worship services and Bible Study, we offer nursery for infants through age 3. Staffed by a loving and committed group of volunteers and paid staff, you can have peace of mind knowing that your child is being cared for while you are attending worship or Bible study. Your children are always welcome to attend the worship services with you as a family. For the convenience of nursing mothers, a “Mother's Room” is located in foyer across from the Women’s Restroom and a "Cry Room" is located in the Education Building. Both rooms offer live audio from the Worship Building so parents can still listen to the service while taking care of their children.
For older children, we offer KIDz LIFE (Sunday School) for Pre-school through 6th grade on Sunday mornings from 9:45-10:45 a.m.
What do you have for students (6-12th Grade)?
Currently, our student ministry, called Bethel Students, meets at two times. We gather for Sunday School at 9:45am where the students walk through Scripture together in small groups and get a consistent opportunity to interact with the text. We then meet for a student service from 6pm to 8pm with the doors opening at 5:30pm. The students get a chance to enjoy community building activities, worship time through music, a biblical lesson, and small group discussion. We then have an activity called the Aftermath (ends at 9pm) where we give the students another opportunity to enjoy various games and activities for those who can stay. Some of these activities have included Human Foosball, Mario Kart, and Spoons.
How can I get plugged in?
The best way to get plugged into life at Bethel is through joining a small group. Bethel’s small groups meet on Sunday mornings (Sunday School) at 9:45 a.m. and Wednesday nights (Discipleship Classes) at 6:00 p.m. We have small group opportunities for all age groups, including young adults, adults, and senior adults. Most of our small groups are include men and women, but we do offer two women’s small groups on Sunday mornings and one on Wednesday night.
What about Baptism and the Lord’s Supper?
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Communion) are ordinances of the church. At Bethel, we will hold baptismal services during the 8:15 or 11:00 a.m. worship services at the request of baptismal candidates, following a meeting with one of the pastors. Although baptism is not necessary for salvation, we strongly encourage believers to take the first step of obedience in the Christian life and follow Jesus in believer’s baptism by immersion. Believer’s baptism by immersion is a prerequisite to church membership at Bethel.
At Bethel, we observe The Lord’s Supper approximately five times per year. Our regular observance of The Lord’s Supper usually occurs on the fifth Sunday of those months with five Sundays. The Lord’s Supper is incorporated into both the 8:15 & 11:00 a.m. worship services. We also observe The Lord’s Supper on Maundy Thursday of Holy Week. This observance concludes our Maundy Thursday service (the Thursday before Easter) and is taken as we sit at tables in Bethel’s Education & Conference Center.
The Lord’s Supper is a reminder of Christ’s broken body and shed blood on the cross for sinners. For as often as we observe The Lord’s Supper and eat of the bread and drink of the cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes again (1 Corinthians 11:26).
If I’m already a Christian, how can I become a member of Bethel?
If you have never been baptized as a believer (after your own profession of faith), then you will need to follow Jesus Christ in believer’s baptism by immersion. If you are a believer, but have never been baptized by immersion, then you will need to follow Jesus Christ in believer’s baptism by immersion. If you are a believer who has been previously baptized by believer’s baptism by immersion, but are coming from a non-Southern Baptist or non-Baptist church, then you can join by a Statement of Faith (affirming that you have a personal, saving faith in Jesus Christ and that you were previously baptized by believer’s baptism by immersion.). If your membership is in another Southern Baptist or Baptist church, you can join by transferring your membership from that church to Bethel (a Transfer of Letter).
At least four times a year, a Membership Class will be offered at Bethel. All prospective members who are adults at the time of their candidacy shall be required to attend a membership class and to sign a statement acknowledging that he/she has read and understands our faith (The Baptist Faith and Message), the church covenant, and Bylaws Article I. MEMBERSHIP and, that he/she affirms to live in accordance with, and not contrary to, the spirit and intent of this church’s faith and practice. After meeting with one of the Pastors and upon completing the Membership Class and signing the affirmation of faith and practice, candidates may be recommended for membership and presented for a vote of affirmation at any regular or special called business meeting of the church.
If I’m not a Christian, how can I become a follower of Jesus Christ?
You’re not here by accident. God loves you. He wants you to have a personal relationship with Him through Jesus, His Son. There is just one thing that separates you from God. That one thing is sin.
The Bible describes sin in many ways. Most simply, sin is our failure to measure up to God’s holiness and His righteous standards. We sin by things we do, choices we make, attitudes we show, and thoughts we entertain. We also sin when we fail to do right things. The Bible affirms our own experience – “there is none righteous, not even one.” No matter how good we try to be, none of us does right things all the time.
People tend to divide themselves into groups – good people and bad people. But God says that every person who has ever lived is a sinner, and that any sin separates us from God. No matter how we might classify ourselves, this includes you and me. We are all sinners.
“For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
Many people are confused about the way to God. Some think they will be punished or rewarded according to how good they are. Some think they should make things right in their lives before they try to come to God. Others find it hard to understand how Jesus could love them when other people don’t seem to. But I have great news for you! God DOES love you! More than you can ever imagine! And there’s nothing you can do to make Him stop! Yes, our sins demand punishment – the punishment of death and separation from God. But, because of His great love, God sent His only Son Jesus to die for our sins.
“God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
For you to come to God you have to get rid of your sin problem. But, in our own strength, not one of us can do this! You can’t make yourself right with God by being a better person. Only God can rescue us from our sins. He is willing to do this not because of anything you can offer Him, but JUST BECAUSE HE LOVES YOU!
“He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy.” Titus 3:5
It’s God’s grace that allows you to come to Him – not your efforts to “clean up your life” or work your way to Heaven. You can’t earn it. It’s a free gift.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
For you to come to God, the penalty for your sin must be paid. God’s gift to you is His son, Jesus, who paid the debt for you when He died on the Cross.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23
Jesus paid the price for your sin and mine by giving His life on a cross at a place called Calvary, just outside of the city walls of Jerusalem in ancient Israel. God brought Jesus back from the dead. He provided the way for you to have a personal relationship with Him through Jesus. When we realize how deeply our sin grieves the heart of God and how desperately we need a Savior, we are ready to receive God’s offer of salvation. To admit we are sinners means turning away from our sin and selfishness and turning to follow Jesus. The Bible word for this is “repentance” – to change our thinking about how grievous sin is, so our thinking is in line with God’s.
All that’s left for you to do is to accept the gift that Jesus is holding out for you right now.
“If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” Romans 10:9-10
God says that if you believe in His son, Jesus, you can live forever with Him in glory.
“For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16
Are you ready to accept the gift of eternal life that Jesus is offering you right now? Let’s review what this commitment involves:
I acknowledge I am a sinner in need of a Savior – this is to repent or turn away from sin
I believe in my heart that God raised Jesus from the dead – this is to trust that Jesus paid the full penalty for my sins
I confess Jesus as my Lord and my God – this is to surrender control of my life to Jesus
I receive Jesus as my Savior forever – this is to accept that God has done for me and in me what He promised
If it is your sincere desire to receive Jesus into your heart as your personal Lord and Savior, then talk to God from your heart:
Here’s a Suggested Prayer:
“Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and I do not deserve eternal life. But, I believe You died and rose from the grave to make me a new creation and to prepare me to dwell in your presence forever. Jesus, come into my life, take control of my life, forgive my sins and save me. I am now placing my trust in You alone for my salvation and I accept your free gift of eternal life.”
If you have trusted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, please let us know. We want to rejoice in what God has done in your life and help you to grow spiritually.