World Missions Giving

Each year, BFC sets aside one weekend to focus on missions. Each individual is challenged to pray and ask God how much they should pledge toward supporting missions over the next year.

Every Thanksgiving and Easter we receive a special offering specifically for world missions.

Bethany First Church joins with other Nazarene churches to support 738 missionaries working in 146 world areas. We help share the gospel in 150 languages. Through these efforts, more than 24 million people have seen the JESUS FILM and evangelism broadcasts have reached 62 nations.

The statistics are encouraging, but they only scratch the surface of the need. Each individual's participation makes a significant impact on the world. Working together, we can make a difference.

Alabaster Giving

The Alabaster Offering provides funds for property and buildings around the world. The entire offering goes toward the construction of churches, schools, medical facilities and homes for missionaries and national workers.

In February and September, BFC has a special emphasis on the Alabaster Offering. Adults and children alike take home small "alabaster boxes." Each person is challenged to accumulate their offering in these boxes. The boxes also serve as a reminder to pray for the people who will benefit from their Alabaster box.

History of Alabaster
Following World War II, the need for buildings and land in the world mission areas of the Church of the Nazarene was critical. Rev. Elizabeth Roby Vennum was asked to submit a plan of action. Rev. Vennum knew if God wanted those buildings, He would provide a plan. God gave her the idea of "love" gifts. It was modeled after the sacrifice of the woman who anointed Jesus' feet with expensive perfume poured from an alabaster jar (Matthew 26:6-13).