Bethany Community Church

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Since 1986, Bethany Community Church has been a forerunner of faith-based community outreach and interaction, specifically serving those who work and live in suburban Washington , D.C.

[edit] History

The work to establish Bethany began in September 1986, when Kevin & Ann McGhee and Rick & Laura Mastroiani moved from Long Beach, CA to Laurel, MD to start a new church. These two couples began to meet the community through a door-to-door survey that sought to determine why so few people in our area attend church.

On September 28, 1986, Bethany Community Church began as a home bible study. On December 14 of that year, Bethany Community Church held its first worship service at Laurel High School. After four years, the church leased space in an office park at Laurel Lakes on Route 1.

As membership at Bethany grew, the time came to seek out property on which Bethany could build its own facilities to more effectively serve the suburban Washington, D.C. community. In 1996, the family of Dr. James W. Smith of Laurel donated 24 acres of its beautiful wooded farm on Riding Stable Road to Bethany Community Church . After many years of construction, the church recently moved from its Laurel Lakes facilities to its new home between Laurel and Burtonsville. From this location–which lies at the crossroads of Montgomery, Howard, Prince George’s, and Anne Arundel counties–Bethany is uniquely equipped to minister to those who serve the federal government; in state, county, and local governance; and adjunct business partners.

From the initial two couples, Bethany Community church has grown to well over 200 families. From an initial budget of $25,000 provided by a mother church (also named Bethany) in Long Beach, CA, our budget has increased to more than $500,000 per year. From its humble start, Bethany has grown from being a new church to one that is transforming the community.

Why was the church started in Laurel? Laurel was chosen for many reasons:

its proximity to Washington, D.C.
the rapid growth of the population in this area (Laurel Lakes, Konterra, and other new developments)
the large population of young, professional people
the large population of "unchurched" people

As the church planting team considered many areas around the greater Washington metropolitan area, Laurel was identified as one area with tremendous need for a church like Bethany.

Our purpose is to help people begin and grow in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.