Community Focus Groups
Are underway! It’s never to late to join!

At Bethany we seek to be intentional and relational as we make disciples for Jesus Christ. This process occurs both individually and corporately and as a church we have found that the most effective means of making disciples is through the small group format. However, we have also found that these small groups cannot function as merely places where we transfer information from one person to the next. There must be an intentional and relation element to discipleship. That’s why we have developed Community Focus Groups (CFG’s).

In these groups you will never be put on the spot and you’re not expected to have all, if any, answers to questions that get asked. These places are completely friendly and non-threatening. Someone that is brand new the faith, or just seeking to know who this Jesus is, or even those who have been around the block a few times will be able to participate and find real meaning for their lives. This is an intentional process that takes place as we follow Jesus’ style of communicating and teaching.

You see, we believe that Jesus taught primarily through the use of storytelling. We are convinced of this as we read through the New Testament Scriptures. What better example to follow than that of Jesus, right! So, when you attend one of these groups you will hear a story. Not a story about another group member’s vacation, hunting trip or life dreams (though as you get to know people you will certainly hear some of these stories) but you will hear a story directly from God’s Word. The person telling the story will not memorize the story verbatim, but they will tell it as it is outlined for us in the Bible. You will be encouraged to leave your Bible closed until the story has been told (sound strange? It’s not!). Just listen. That’s all you have to do! After the story has been told, we will open our Bibles and rebuild the story to make sure everyone has a good understanding of the events in that story. Then we will ask some simple questions based on the story we just heard. Even if you’ve never heard or read the story before, you get a good understanding before you engage in any conversation about it. No one is left out of the discussion because there is nothing to prepare. Just show up, listen to the story and have a talk about the events of that story. Before you know it, the night’s gone by and you will hardly be able to wait until the next week to do it all over again. The amazing part is how much more clearly the story sticks in our heads and the details of the passage come to life. The best part of all; we’re being transformed by the power of God’s Word! Below you will find a link to a story that could be told in your small group.

Not only do we discuss God’s Word in a very intentional process but we also seek to be relational within our neighborhoods. Each group has a community focus that goes beyond the participants in the group. We highly encourage community involvement in a way that suits the desires and passions of the group members. For example our groups participate in such things as; back pack buddies, Portland Rescue Mission, Bridgetown Ministries, doing yard work, providing housing for the homeless and making meals for the sick.

There’s never a bad time to join a CFG! Below are the current list of group leaders with location and phone #’s. If you aren’t comfortable calling them directly, give me a call (Pastor Ron K.) and I’ll help you make a connection; Church office; 503-266-9307, Cell; 503-407-8121


Check back for updates to this page, as we will be adding stories!

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Days and Locations of
Community Focus Groups

Dan Nicholson/Bob Brown Tuesday @ 7pm
405 SE 8th Ave , Canby OR, 97013. (503.267.8825)

Ron Kimmel Monday @ 7pm
501 SE 9th Ave, Canby OR, 97013 (503.407.8121)

Loren Boeckman/ Ken Ratcliffe Tuesday @ 7pm
952 N. Baker St.. Canby OR, 97013 (503-504-7305)

Allen Nelson Thursday @ 1pm
272 S. Columbia Dr., Woodburn OR, 97071 (503-981-0727)

Bob Tice Thursdays @ 7pm
401 NW Territorial Rd, Canby Or 97013 (503.266.6140)

Marty Clark Thursdays @ 7pm
Canby OR, 97013 (503-633-3398)

Joe Fidanzo Sunday @ 6:30pm
15233 Ottaway Rd. NE. Aurora OR, 97013. (503.209.7077)

Spanish Speaking Group Bev Gorbett TBD At Bethany Church (503-651-4104)

Young Adults (18-39yrs.)
Greg McEvoy/ AJ Howard Sunday @ 6:00pm
Call the McEvoys for directions (503-504-7305)