Our Mission

At Bethany Christian Church, our mission is to lead people on a transformative journey—helping the lost find salvation, guiding the saved to grow in faith, equipping believers to be trained for their purpose, and mobilizing them to reach others with the hope of Jesus.

Simply-we get lost people saved, saved people pastored, pastored people trained, and trained people mobilized to reach lost people.

Our Vision

At Bethany, our vision is simple yet powerful: to exalt Christ so that all the world may be saved.

In the fall of 2024, we launched the ALL IN initiative—a bold step of faith to see that vision move forward. Since then, we’ve witnessed God at work in incredible ways, stirring hearts, transforming lives, and expanding His Kingdom.

Bethany has always been a church marked by generosity. Together, as we continue to go ALL IN, we believe God will do even greater things—bringing this vision to life and reaching more people with the hope of Jesus. 

ALL IN: A Bold Vision

ALL IN is a bold and ambitious vision that calls for the generosity of everyone—through time, talent, and treasure. This journey is more than an initiative; it’s an invitation to embrace a renewed lifestyle of faith and generosity that will continue to make an impact long after ALL IN is complete.
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What We Believe

"What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." - A.W. Tozer

A church is defined by its beliefs — its doctrine matters. These are the beliefs we will not compromise. They are the foundation of our faith, who we are, and what we do. Our core beliefs aren’t just words on a page; they’re the heart of who we are and what we do. These guiding principles are unchanging, serving as the foundation that keeps us grounded and connected, no matter where life leads us.
God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit
We believe in the Trinity—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

God is the Creator of all things, both seen and unseen, and is worthy of all glory, honor, and praise. Perfect in love, power, holiness, wisdom, justice, and mercy, He is unchanging—the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Jesus Christ is the one and only Son of God—fully God and fully man. Perfect and without sin, He gave His life for our sins, rose from the dead, and offers eternal life to all who believe in Him.

The Holy Spirit is the active presence of God within us, guiding, comforting, and empowering believers to live out their faith and reflect Christ in every area of life.

(Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 15:1–8; John 1; John 3:16; Colossians 1:15; Philippians 2:5–11; Hebrews 4:15)
Sin
We believe that all people are created in the image of God, but that sin entered the world through disobedience and has separated humanity from Him. Every person has sinned and falls short of God’s glory. Because of sin, we are unable to restore our relationship with God on our own.

But through Jesus Christ, God made a way for forgiveness and reconciliation. By His death and resurrection, we can be set free from the power of sin and receive the gift of eternal life. Salvation is not something we earn—it is a gift of grace through faith in Jesus alone.

(Scripture References: Genesis 3; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8–9; 1 John 1:8–9)
Salvation
We believe that every person has worth as a creation of God, yet all have sinned and fall short of His glory. Jesus Christ came to reconcile us with God—living a sinless life, dying on the cross for our sins, and rising from the dead. By His grace, God offers eternal life as a free gift to all who follow Christ by faith as Lord and Savior. Forgiveness and new life are found in Christ alone, and all are called to repent, confess their faith, and be baptized into Him. One day, Jesus Christ will return to reign forever as King of kings and Lord of lords.

(Scripture References: Romans 3:23; John 3:16; Romans 10:9; Acts 2:38; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18)
The Church
We believe the Church is the visible body of Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit and sent into the world to glorify God and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Church exists to evangelize the lost, equip believers, and reflect God’s love through unity and service. We believe that God created each person as male or female—two distinct, complementary genders that together reflect His image—and that our God-given design is an intrinsic and unchanging part of who we are. We also believe that God established marriage as a lifelong, exclusive covenant between one man and one woman, and that sexual intimacy is a gift reserved for this sacred union.

(Scripture References: Ephesians 4:1–16; Genesis 1:27; Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4–6)
The Bible
We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, without error in its original writings, and the final authority for all matters of faith, truth, morality, and Christian living. Through Scripture, God reveals His character, His plan of salvation, and His purpose for our lives. We believe the Bible teaches that God is the Creator and Sustainer of human life; that each person is made in His image; and that all life is sacred—from conception to natural death.

(Scripture References: 2 Timothy 3:16–17; Psalm 139:13–16; Genesis 1:27; 2 Peter 1:20–21)

How It All Started...

The story of Bethany Christian Church began in the early 1800s, during the Second Great Awakening—a time of spiritual revival and renewed passion for God’s Word. Out of that movement, believers in Daviess County gathered with a shared desire to follow Christ and make His name known.

Bethany Christian Church was officially founded on January 3, 1830, and by 1842, a small wooden building stood as the church’s first home, serving a congregation of 124 faithful people.

Over the decades, Bethany became known not only for its deep-rooted faith but also for its commitment to helping others grow. Between 1864 and 1897, Bethany helped establish two new churches in Washington, Indiana—First Christian Church and Antioch Christian Church—continuing a legacy of multiplication and mission.

From 1955 to 1999, under the leadership of Ben Ray Bean, Bethany flourished as a strong, people-focused ministry built on relationships, service, and the transforming message of Jesus Christ.

Expanding The Vision...

In 2000, Pastor Matt Merold became Lead Pastor and, together with the elders, cast a bold vision for Bethany to be a “spiritual hospital”—a place where broken lives could find healing, hope, and purpose in Christ.

Between 2007 and 2010, that vision took a monumental step forward as the church relocated to Washington, Indiana, uniting the congregation around a shared mission to reach more people for Jesus. The years that followed were marked by growth and impact, including a second phase of facility expansion completed between 2014 and 2017.

Bethany continued to grow its regional influence, launching new campuses to bring the message of Jesus closer to surrounding communities. In 2018, Bethany purchased a building in Vincennes, Indiana, officially opening the Vincennes Campus on Easter Sunday, 2019. Then, in October 2021, the Princeton Campus was launched—first meeting in a movie theater, then finding a permanent home on the Princeton Square.

Where We Are Headed...

In the fall of 2024, Bethany launched the ALL IN initiative—a bold and faith-filled movement calling every person to generosity through their time, talent, and treasure. ALL IN represents more than a campaign; it’s a declaration that we are fully surrendered to God’s mission and ready to follow wherever He leads.

Today, Bethany Christian Church continues to grow as one church in multiple locations, united by a single purpose: to exalt Christ so that all the world will be saved. As we look to the future, we remain rooted in God’s Word, empowered by His Spirit, and committed to being a church that helps people know God, live free, find purpose, and be difference makers.

Our story is still unfolding—and we trust the same God who has written our past to continue writing a future filled with faith, hope, and transformation.