Rising to greater heights - Pentecostal Bethel church at Takamaka celebrates 3rd anniversary |09 August 2014

It has been three years of hard work and energy, but at last, a new church has risen to fulfill its original role – that of serving its community as a place of worship and thanksgiving.

Based at the premises of Le Reduit Restaurant, Bethel Church of the Pentecostal Assembly of Seychelles (PAOS) will be marking its third anniversary with three days of celebrations from Friday August 15 to Sunday August 17.

The weekend’s celebrations will feature music, drama, prayer and speeches.

The celebration is an occasion for the church to provide its members the opportunity to illustrate their successful mission and the joy of bringing their faith to life in ways that spread the “good news”.

The occasion also is made special by the fact that members have grown up in the church and have devoted much of their time in helping with the work of the church.

In faith, Bethel Church believes its congregation will continue to grow and support each other.

The reason for the original use of the premises of Le Reduit as a church might initially be explained by the fact that it is the Pentecostal Assembly’s wishes to extend its presence throughout the regions of Seychelles, and Takamaka, being in the south of Mahé, is one of them.

Bethel Church conducted its first service one unforgettable Sunday afternoon in August 2011 attended by a large crowd of brethrens and friends, after a sizeable and united group of Christians from the district with similar belief pledged to undergo the process together.

To begin, a decision was taken by PAOS senior Pastor Hermitte Freminot to hold services on Sunday afternoon twice a month as not to clash with morning services in Victoria. We had no idea when we held our first service that the district’s response would be so overwhelming and it was then evident that a full-fledged Sunday morning service was our only future options.

Shepherd by young Pastor Joel Rachel, Bethel Church is now the newest Sunday meeting place for worship and glorifying the Lord Christ for about 70 of Takamaka’s congregation, young and old.

“We just hope that the Church will be a place of worship and blessings for the entire district,” said a joyful Pastor Joel in one of his recent Sunday preaching.

“We want it to be for the whole community and we always welcome visitors and friends among us.”
The issues of youths, cell groups and raising of church’s leaders are Pastor Joel’s desires.
Among the Church’s priorities are:

• the necessity to reach the section of the district residents in need to hear the gospel messages
• teaching biblical doctrines
• provide a place of fellowship for believers
• observing the Lord’s super and praying.

The Church holds regular Sunday services from 9am to noon, baptism, wedding and occasional night prayer.
In today’s world and amid recurrent news that Christian churches are increasingly being destroyed worldwide, it is certainly newsworthy whenever this reverse trend happens in a small and beautiful place like Seychelles.

God promised to never leave nor forsake His people. God has been faithful to us.  Three years ago after our first service, Bethel Church’s vision has been realised. It was not all ‘smooth sailing’, but the Church has weathered many storms and it is through God’s grace and mercy that it remained firm and unshaken.

In Matthew 16; 18, the Bible tells us “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”

It is also wise to note that to a lot of people today, a church is but a spiritual community that comes together in common fellowship. It is also true to say that church facilities will not save a person from a life of sin and frustration.

Contrary to that opinion, the Bible instructs us that the church is indeed not an institution, but rather shows us that we ourselves are the church, we are the building that Jesus instituted and which each one of us become.

God loves us all, both individual and collectively. God loves us so much that he gave his only begotten and beloved son to save us so that we could come to him. God is building his church and calling people daily to the body of believers that make up Christ’s body here on earth.

Therefore, the purpose of the church is to be the body of Christ in the world – GOD WANTS TO WORK IN THE WORLD THROUGH US.
As this article goes to press, invitations are going out far and wide to all, especially those who have assisted us in reaching our goal of establishing our worship centre.

We extend our sincere thanks to all in our community who have worked with us and welcome you to join us for our weekend celebrations with the opening ceremony on Friday August 15 at 3pm.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL.


Contributed by Bethel Church communication team