Bethel Assembly of God Church

Bethel Assembly of God Church, Bengaluru, Karnataka, is one of the largest mega churches in India and one of Asia's most influential churches. The Hebbal campus covers an area of 3.5 acres (14,000 m²), and includes two 3,500 seat worship centers, two bookstores and a parking lot for around 1000 cars and 2000 bikes. Currently there are eight linguistic services (Malayalam, English, Kannada, Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, French and Nepali).

Church History

In March 1960, Rev. John Cherian, at that time, a faculty member of Southern Asia Bible College (SABC), with the company of a few college students, initiated a 'prayer fellowship' in Ganganahalli, Bangalore. That place was not far from the present Assembly of God Church in Ganganagar, Bangalore. Prayer meetings in Malayalam language were held by this small group every week. Eventually a plot was purchased for the construction of a building for church in future at Ganganagar. It was Rev. John C. Wright, AG Missionary and Bursar of SABC who purchased this piece of land for the church.

Initial steps forward

The first major event of evangelism, after purchase of the plot, was a conference which was held under a canopy in the summer of 1962. Rev. O.V.Dillingham, former Pastor of First Assembly Church, Bangalore, and Mr. Divakar, the Circle Inspector of Police for the City of Mysore, were the important speakers along with many others. Many new believers were added to the original nucleus of the emerging 'Assembly of God Church' at Ganganagar during this conference. After some time, Bro. T.P. Varghese involved himself in the activities of this church, and it was during that period of ministry that Bro. M A Varughese, the present Senior Pastor, entered the ministry. Bangalore was not alien to Bro.Varughese who had often visited this city and stayed here on many occasions since January 1966. However, it was only in February 1981 that he and his family (wife and two sons) called Bangalore their home. He was an employee of the Indian Air force (IAF) at that time, patiently and prayerfully waiting for God's time and plan.

Rev. Dr. M. A. Varughese

Rev. Dr. M A Varughese stands at the helm of leadership and currently serves as the Senior Pastor and President of Bethel AG Church, Bangalore. After completing the work in the Indian Air Force (IAF), he worked with a Research and Development unit of the Defense Ministry of the Government of India. He resigned from his job to plunge into Christian Ministry on a full-time basis. An in-depth Bible teacher with high degree of scholarliness and proficiency on the Scriptures, he serves the Word of God with uncompromised intensity and undiluted richness in an impressive, distinctive and unparalleled style. Blessed with an excellent spirit and an apostolic anointing, he retains an extensive reach and acceptance with his profound, prophetic and powerful sermons. He Says, "God enabled me to overcome the oppositions from every corner protecting myself and the church from demoralization." An avid traveller, he travels around the globe with the message of God, thereby equipping and empowering the generation for the Kingdom of God. Dr. Varughese is married to Sr. Aleyamma Varughese. They are blessed with two sons, Rev. Abraham Varghese and Rev. Johnson V.

Magnificent Seven Years

In 1983 and 1984, the church saw a gradual growth. The seven years from 1985 to 1991 were a period of great growth of the church despite hardship, as the church had a pressing need for funds during this time. Pastor M. A Varughese was invited for a missionary tour abroad. Pastor A. C. George of the Indian Pentecostal Church in New York and his sister (name) in Bangalore were the people whom God used as the channels for this. As a result of the tour the church received some funds. The structure of a two-storied building was the vision of the church and The Lord gave a clear guidance about the construction of a double story building. Though there was shortage of funds, with faith in God the Church confidently ventured into construction of the building. On the afternoon of 8 December 1990, in a vision, the Spirit of God asked Dr. M A Varughese "Do you desire for a greater ministry or do you want to remain satisfied with what you are doing now?" Willingly, he opted for a greater ministry. In which case, he was told that he will have to face trials, imprisonment, and even court cases. He was also given the assurance of 'God's protection' and a sure 'victory' at the end. Events of this particular prophecy began to unfurl from the morning of 7 January 1991. Government officials raided Dr. M A Varughese's house and took into custody all records and documents they could find. Misappropriation of foreign funds was the major accusation against Dr. M A Varughese. As God promised, no allegations stood against him and those who had taken him into custody returned him home that very afternoon. On 14 September 1991, the building was dedicated. But by December 1991, the church realized that this new hall was insufficient for the gathering as it was filled to its capacity by then. The church began to pray for a hall that could accommodate at least 1500 people. The plot adjacent to the church building was available for purchase, and was purchased 1995 and within a year the construction of a new building began. This was the fulfillment of God's promise to the church of 'spreading to the left and also to the right' (Is.54:3). A multi-storied building with 5 halls was constructed. At that time, 16 services were conducted every Sunday in the larger building to accommodate the growing number of believers attending services. The church began to pray the Lord to help enlarge the boundaries, and the stage was set for God to unfold larger plans.

Growth

While Bethel AG Church can be considered a part of the "Megachurch movement" within Protestant Christianity, its size and expansion are above-average even for the standard Megachurch, which is defined as a church with an average weekend attendance of 2,000 or more. One factor which may have contributed to the church's popularity is its preservation and teaching of strict biblical doctrines. Bethel AG Church has been organizing an annual 21 Day Fasting Prayer Festival. Until recently all the linguistic services participated in this 21 day fasting prayer, one of the nation's largest regular annual fasting prayers, as well as one of the top-rated events in the state of Karnataka. Each year the church invites many honorable ministers and this attracts believers from different parts of India and around the globe. The estimated attendance is almost 20,000 people in 21 days. Today Bethel AG Church is the largest Malayalam speaking Pentecostal Church around the Globe with a weekly attendance of over 4000 members attending the on premise services, and a potential viewership base of a few hundred thousands participating in the worship services through live telecast and the live web-streaming.

Rev. Abraham Varghese is the Vice President and Pastor in Charge of the Bethel AG Church. An excellent leader and a motivational speaker truly gifted and Spirit filled, Rev. Abraham is best known and much admired for qualities of mentoring, strategic planning, resourcefulness and team building. He fosters a fervent vision and far visibility for the rise of the church to new levels of standing and stature. It is reflected in the standards he sets for himself and the church. He is married to Jisha Abraham. They have two young sons.

Other Linguistic Worship Services

Through the years, the work of God in Bangalore city has been unfolding beyond human plans at Bethel. Eight linguistic services cater to the spiritual needs of the many ethnic groups in this metro city. At present all the linguistics services minister to the spiritual needs of the congregations totaling to about 16,000 every week.

English [Bethel AG International Worship Centre]

While the very first English service began in 1996 and was stopped soon after; on March 9, 1997, Pastor Johnson V decided to follow the Lord's voice resisting every oppression. With just one member on the very first Sunday, followed by three on the third and seven on the fifth. At present the number has crossed 10000 and still counting. The undeniable favor of God has been evident in the rapid growth when the church was moved from a small Community hall, to the Hebbal Tent on January 16, 2005. Soon, in August 2006 services were shifted from the Tent into a basic building structure. Adjacent land was purchased to cater to the huge crowds. Additional rooms like an infant care room, library, church office, etc. were added in 2007. Three years later, on August 4 the balcony was constructed to meet the expanding needs of the church. Plans are to engage in an extensive Multi-Level Building structure expected to be the largest in its category in Bangalore.

Rev. Johnson V. is the Pastor in-charge of Bethel AG Church International Worship Centre. Chosen by God at a very young age to do His mighty ministry, Rev. Johnson gave his life to the call of God. Now more than 10 years on, God has been faithful to the humble ministry, the fruits of which are now evident. Rev. Johnson had a passion for ministry inspired by his father Rev. Dr. M A Varughese. Prayer and study of the Holy Bible was part of his everyday life. Constant relation with God helped him build a solid relationship with his Maker, Jesus Christ. Rev. Johnson is married to Cynthia; they have two young sons.

Additional Languages

Worship Services are also held in

1. Kannada [ಕನ್ನಡ]
2. Tamil [தமிழ்]
3. Hindi [हिन्दी]
4. Telugu [తెలుగు]
5. French [le français]
6. Nepali [नेपाली]. The Nepali language worship service also cater the Bodo people and the Assamese people

Ministries

Sunday School

As mentioned in Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it." Bethel AG Church believes that the children are the future of the church and nation and investing into their lives is a richly rewarding experience. The church's objective is to train and mold young minds by inculcating and imbibing Christian values and broader vision that prepare them for the days ahead. They say, "Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression". At Bethel, the teachers, impact and impression the tender minds by delivering Christian education and activities that aim at the holistic formation of their children.

Women's Fellowship

"....a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates." Proverbs 31:30,31. A woman plays an integral role in building the life of our homes, families, society and nation. As a church, the Bethel AG Community encourage women to recognize and respond to God's calling and stream towards its fulfillment. The church exhort them to have a reputation for being a woman of moral virtue and godly character and respond to life's circumstances with praise, gratitude, and faith and meet her standards of propriety in the Lord. The Women's Fellowship is the opportunity for our women to come together, cultivate godly relationships and heighten their experience with God. The church invests into their lives so that they can enrich themselves; promote healthy, godly marriages; bless and serve their husbands by completing and complementing them; teach and discipline their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord and helping them add value and worth to their family lives that as a result, the outpouring of their lives would exalt the Lord. The women's ministry also helps to identify women in distress and such people who need assistance. The various helping hands that donate to meet the needs of deserving people find their way to the needy through the compassionate hands of this ministry.

Youth

Bethel AG Church propels its youth to remember their Creator in the days of their youth and drive their efforts and energies for making their mark and contribution for the extension of God's Kingdom. The church helps them recognize God's calling upon their lives and realign themselves to the plan and purpose of God.

Senior Citizens

The part of Bethel AG Church above 60 years of age and their spouses come together in fellowship at its monthly Senior Citizens meet in a loving exchange of prayer communion, moral support and spiritual renewal. There is nothing like it to "grow old with them" when age speaks and multitude of years pour out rich experiences, sound judgment and immense wisdom. Such meets enable the church to reach out to the elderly and give them the care, attention and love that they deserve.

Professionals & Business Persons

While the church encourage its body of professionals and businessmen to be extremely and exceptionally fruitful and have rewarding careers, it also exhort the need for its businesses to reflect the character of God. While it is right and good for businesses to think an economic viability and profit, Christian businesses ought to go beyond that. The businesses should revolve around principles and ethics ordained by God. Alongside sociological and economic issues, there arises the necessity to append social and spiritual components as well. The church caters to the need of the business class through monthly meets for Bethel Professionals and Business Persons that help them drive excellence in business and secular realms.

Media & Communication

The Media Team invests prodigious efforts to render the visible and vocal delights at church. The Team is accountable for the operation and functioning of the sound and visual equipment. The communication Team facilitates the publishing and circulation of written media. The team specializes and maintains the below areas

1. Photography
2. Print media
3. Verse projections
4. Live telecast
5. Live video streaming
6. Live audio streaming
7. Facebook Page
8. YouTube Channel
9. Video disc and Mp3 compilations

Praise and Worship

The Bethel AG Church Choir have been known and continue to be known for their lively worship, exuberant expressions of Praise and Worship, and musical compilations. The Worship Team is a vital part of the church, responsible for ministering to the body of believers through Praise and Worship songs and upbeat music and charging the spiritual atmosphere in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Campus Ministry

Bethel AG Church has a dedicated team that take the Lords ministry right into the center of college campuses across the city of Bangalore and for one reason, to find the lost. Campus ministry is for the student community staying in college hostels that come into Bangalore city in thousands every year. Many student are here for a limited period of time before they graduate and leave the city. This campus ministry team endeavor to give them the gospel and initiate them into the plans and purposes of God for their lives.." Over the years we have witnessed the Grace of God working in many mighty ways in the lives of these youth. This ministry also specializes in addressing problems related to alcoholism and drug addiction, mental health and even personal challenges. Another responsibility and aim of the this team is to identify young people with gifted talents and develop their skills. Numerous students have been inducted in to various ministries and have come back to explain how blessed they are after making a decision to stand with the church ministries. The campus ministry team has extended their ministry through Prayer, Praise and Worship in the church members workplaces. The team conducts weekly prayer services conducted across the city at many workplaces and hotels. The primary focus of these groups is to facilitate fellowship amongst those working in the corporate sectors and to spread the message of hope that Christ gives.

Christ Ambassadors

The church focuses on youngsters who have the freedom of mobility unlike the "hostelites" who can be ministered to only on Sundays or other special occasions. These are the folks who spend their time to minister to other youth. The Christ Ambassadors empowers the youngsters to acquire the skills required as they go out to the field and share their faith confidently without fear or shame.

Prayer Tower

A facility for a group to seek prayers and divine counsel was established on the 10th of May 2010. A dedicated highly secure hall has been arranged for this activity. All the church members are encouraged to participate as prayer intercessors and pray for God's deliverances and blessings of both the church and its members. The members of the church register to participate in this 24/7 prayer and the coordinators ensure the prayers continue with out a break. Prayer requests that needs attention from the church members are passed on to this Prayer Tower as prayer points and the prayer intercessors pray over it. Every day, numerous people call over the Prayer Tower phones and these prayer requests are also listed as prayer points.

Worship Services

External links

• About Bethel AG Church Bangalore
• Resources
• Bethel AG International Worship Center
• Be Blessed
• Powerful Study On Blessings and Curses
• More about Rev Dr. M A Varughese
• Powerful Message On IN HIS TIME
• Powerful Message On Naalu Yamangal
• Powerful Message On Thalirkunna Atti