The Eighties
THE EIGHTIES
King Solomon said it beautiful in his Ecclesiastical musings: “There is a time and season for everything on earth” (Eccl. 3). Developing the sense of time and place is an essential element of the good life.
As the decade of the eighties edged its way into modern history Bethesda’s leaders took inventory of their present and future. Time and tide had pinned their backs to the wall. They had run out of options. A static position could not be maintained -- the entire church and school complex must move to a new and larger location out of the city. We were at one time a church in the north Detroit suburbs. Not any more. The urban sprawl of the city with its myriad problems now surrounded us. Our buildings were street curb to alley. Expanded sports fields were impossible. If we remained in our present location we would die a real estate death.
Exploring the suburbs we discovered a 92-acre plot in Sterling Heights — 10 miles northeast of our present location. A housing developer had cleared the land, put in place the necessary services, and passed the requirements of the city’s building department. Everything was in place, that is, everything except the financial condition of the country. Inflation was sky high. Mortgage rates were 18%. It was the time to buy. Each time we had the occasion to view the property and weigh it as the potential site for our new church and school campus a soft and confident smile crossed our faces. We became the owners in 1982. Our television ministry ended the same year. Our finances would direct to architects, site engineers and the trades for the next three years.
THE BUILDING PROCESS
It is well known and generally accepted as a truism in the Christian world, that is, if a local church can endure a major building program without several divisions, they can stand up to any storm directed their way. Bethesda’s congregation passed the test. The needed monies flowed into the treasury consistently, generously, and joyously. No person sold a house to help, or finance a loan. The church, the Body of Christ, were prompted by the Spirit to give and give they did.
1980s. Pastor Jim and Anne conducted (2) All Japan Ministerial Conferences in Toba, Japan during the course of the building program. Upon the Beall’s return home they reported they had met friends, loving oriental family members, intensely dedicated saints, and once enemies converted to brothers and sisters in Christ. Through the ensuing years delegates of Japanese friends traveled to the States and Michigan to cement our newfound relationship.
1983. The first Graduation Class of (BCS) Bethesda Christian High School.
1986. BCC moves to a leased campus in Warren, Michigan as a temporary home. Children are loved, cared for, and pampered at Bethesda
1988. We celebrated, with vigor, the sale of Bethesda’s Detroit buildings and properties to a large church in the city -- an important step in our financial programming. Standing steadfast on the premise of the Scriptures and the admonition to count the cost before a shovel goes in the ground is an important precept. We understood, we practiced to the letter, and we succeeded. The attempted project must be completed.
1988. The “Dedication Celebration and Services” of the new 3000 seat Sanctuary, the Chapel, 3 Dining Rooms and a variety of Sunday school facilities (200,000 sq ft under roof) was a celebration of thanks and deep gratitude. Friends, both clergy and believers, from around the U.S and Canada arrived in our new city to shout and preen with us. What a day! A proud day! A bewildering day! The campus was beautiful with its tree-lined boulevards standing proudly in the sun, its branches waving to billowing clouds. The extensive lawns and gardens were in their full glory. The Pool of Bethesda with its spraying fountains standing beneath the hundred feet cross at the apex of the sanctuary, seemed to spread its open arms to one and all and say “Come on in”. It was a “no doubt day!” No doubt about it, we were and are people blessed of God!
King Solomon said it beautiful in his Ecclesiastical musings: “There is a time and season for everything on earth” (Eccl. 3). Developing the sense of time and place is an essential element of the good life.
As the decade of the eighties edged its way into modern history Bethesda’s leaders took inventory of their present and future. Time and tide had pinned their backs to the wall. They had run out of options. A static position could not be maintained -- the entire church and school complex must move to a new and larger location out of the city. We were at one time a church in the north Detroit suburbs. Not any more. The urban sprawl of the city with its myriad problems now surrounded us. Our buildings were street curb to alley. Expanded sports fields were impossible. If we remained in our present location we would die a real estate death.
Exploring the suburbs we discovered a 92-acre plot in Sterling Heights — 10 miles northeast of our present location. A housing developer had cleared the land, put in place the necessary services, and passed the requirements of the city’s building department. Everything was in place, that is, everything except the financial condition of the country. Inflation was sky high. Mortgage rates were 18%. It was the time to buy. Each time we had the occasion to view the property and weigh it as the potential site for our new church and school campus a soft and confident smile crossed our faces. We became the owners in 1982. Our television ministry ended the same year. Our finances would direct to architects, site engineers and the trades for the next three years.
THE BUILDING PROCESS
It is well known and generally accepted as a truism in the Christian world, that is, if a local church can endure a major building program without several divisions, they can stand up to any storm directed their way. Bethesda’s congregation passed the test. The needed monies flowed into the treasury consistently, generously, and joyously. No person sold a house to help, or finance a loan. The church, the Body of Christ, were prompted by the Spirit to give and give they did.
1980s. Pastor Jim and Anne conducted (2) All Japan Ministerial Conferences in Toba, Japan during the course of the building program. Upon the Beall’s return home they reported they had met friends, loving oriental family members, intensely dedicated saints, and once enemies converted to brothers and sisters in Christ. Through the ensuing years delegates of Japanese friends traveled to the States and Michigan to cement our newfound relationship.
1983. The first Graduation Class of (BCS) Bethesda Christian High School.
1986. BCC moves to a leased campus in Warren, Michigan as a temporary home. Children are loved, cared for, and pampered at Bethesda
1988. We celebrated, with vigor, the sale of Bethesda’s Detroit buildings and properties to a large church in the city -- an important step in our financial programming. Standing steadfast on the premise of the Scriptures and the admonition to count the cost before a shovel goes in the ground is an important precept. We understood, we practiced to the letter, and we succeeded. The attempted project must be completed.
1988. The “Dedication Celebration and Services” of the new 3000 seat Sanctuary, the Chapel, 3 Dining Rooms and a variety of Sunday school facilities (200,000 sq ft under roof) was a celebration of thanks and deep gratitude. Friends, both clergy and believers, from around the U.S and Canada arrived in our new city to shout and preen with us. What a day! A proud day! A bewildering day! The campus was beautiful with its tree-lined boulevards standing proudly in the sun, its branches waving to billowing clouds. The extensive lawns and gardens were in their full glory. The Pool of Bethesda with its spraying fountains standing beneath the hundred feet cross at the apex of the sanctuary, seemed to spread its open arms to one and all and say “Come on in”. It was a “no doubt day!” No doubt about it, we were and are people blessed of God!