Bethel Church in Clinton, N.C., hosted its first community event as part of a six-month post-evangelism series, continuing its commitment to serving as a community resource.
Before launching the evangelistic series, the church organized a successful community giveaway and pledged to strengthen its outreach under the initiative called “The Community Knot,” which is an effort to build lasting connections with local residents by responding to needs, offering support, and fostering a shared sense of purpose. Church leaders say the initiative aims to make evangelism a natural extension of daily community life rather than a set of isolated events.
The first of six planned post-evangelism programs focused on health education, featuring a seminar titled “Dispelling the Myths of Alzheimer’s.” The presentation was led by Edna Andrews Rose, Ph.D., MSW, RN-BC, of the University of Michigan’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Rose, who also serves in the Department of Neurology at the Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Center, shared current research and practical insights to help families and caregivers better understand the disease.
Richard Berry, M.D., health ministries director for the South Atlantic Conference, offered greetings and words of encouragement, commending Bethel’s continued emphasis on health and wellness as an essential part of its community engagement.
Another community initiative was a Vacation Bible School (VBS) rekindling children’s ministry within the small congregation.
Under the leadership of Arlene Joyner, who organized daily activities and coordinated outreach, the weeklong event was followed by the church’s first Children’s Day in 21 years. Although Bethel typically welcomes about five members each Sabbath, attendance more than doubled during VBS, with 10 children and eight additional adults participating.
The VBS theme, “Creation,” emphasized four key elements — Choice, Rest, Environment, and Activity. Each day began in the sanctuary with a presentation of the topic, scripture, and theme song. Participants then transitioned to a colorfully decorated fellowship hall featuring four interactive stations.
The Bible station helped children learn scripture, recite the Lord’s Prayer, and prepare for their roles in the closing play of the Sabbath service. The crafts station encouraged creativity through hands-on projects with spiritual lessons, while games offered opportunities for teamwork and fun. A healthy snack followed, aligning with the day’s theme, and each evening concluded with a light dinner where parents were invited to join.
The week culminated in a special Sabbath worship service, where all VBS participants took part in the program. The sermon was delivered by 15-year-old Daryl McNeil, son of member Shaneka Murphy. McNeil, who has been preaching since age 7, shared a message that attendees described as mature, heartfelt, and spiritually uplifting.
The success of Bethel’s Vacation Bible School sparked new interest among neighborhood children, several of whom have expressed a desire to attend Sabbath School regularly. Church leaders said the revival of VBS represents “evangelism at its best” — building faith, community, and a new generation of believers.
The events drew several visitors from the surrounding community as well as guests from nearby congregations. Organizers said they hope the ongoing series will strengthen relationships and reinforce Bethel’s mission to serve as a consistent, faith-based resource for education, health, and service in Clinton and beyond.
South Atlantic | January 2026
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