ALTON – Adding a second location to expand church and school activities is a big deal; simultaneously burning the mortgage for both campuses is huge.
Husband and wife pastoral team, Bishop Lawrence E. Brown Jr. and Pastor Tanya Brown recently celebrated the addition of the new west campus of the Bethesda Temple Church of Alton, now in its 50th year, with a Jubilee celebration.
In addition to the existing location at 918 E. Fifth, Bethesda has expanded to include the former Evangel Assembly of God Church at 512 Spring Street, just a short walking distance away.
“The one, smaller building couldn’t hold our vision, and we needed more space to expand our Christian school,” Pastor Brown said.
The theme for the dedication was “In covenant with God; possessing the Promised Land.”
“Biblically speaking, the 50th year is the cancelling of debts, and it seemed appropriate that we were able to hold a mortgage burning ceremony at the same time as the dedication,” Bishop Brown said.
“We feel like we are now at a different and better place in our lives and ministry,” Pastor Brown said.
“I don’t think you can serve God all of your life and not expect to see progress,” she added.
The dedication included a multitude of bishops, church dignitaries and speakers, some who travelled great distances to participate.
After extensive renovations to the building, Spring Street is now utilized for church services and the affiliate school, New Vision Christian Academy.
“The sanctuary was beautiful and there was very little we needed to do there, but the rest of the building needed some changes in order to suit our needs,” Pastor Brown said.
The second facility houses a conference room, church library named in honor of the church’s founders, Elder Miller Daniel and Josephine Moore, and space for men’s and women’s groups and Sunday School. A staff day care center is on site, as well as administrative offices, a large fellowship hall, and a banquet room to hold wedding receptions and other events.
The Fifth Street location will be utilized as a Bible research center, lecture hall and headquarters for the International Association of Apostolic Apologists, led by Bishop Brown. Founded in 2009, Bishop Brown’s vision for the IAAA is to collaborate with theologians and scholars in the defense of the apostolic faith.
“We may also hold marriage retreats and teach classes on things like managing the family budget and other types of life courses,” he said.
The west campus allowed for expanded space for New Vision Christian Academy, administered by Pastor Brown who also teaches kindergarten there. Tiffany Fane serves as the school principal. The school offers academics for kindergarten through eighth grade and utilizes the Accelerated Christian Education system, where children learn and progress at an individual pace.
“The children learn at their own rate – so there are no gaps that will hold them back later,” Fane said.
The church and school work together to instill Christian beliefs, and a character-building segment teaches integrity, dependability, thankfulness, deference and flexibility. Physical education is also included in the curriculum, monitored by the Browns’ son, Lawrence Brown III. Pastor Brown’s brother, Vashawn, an accomplished musician, recently moved to the area and now teaches music education at the school. Students are taken on field trips like the Science Center and museums, and socialization is addressed through many extra-curricular activities like art programs, drama studies, community service projects and mentoring programs, in addition to music.
“This school is a natural extension of our church,” Pastor Brown said. “We want to promote excellence in academics, and provide a Christian education, too.”
Bishop Brown was trained under the Honorable Bishop James A. Johnson at Bethesda Temple Church in St. Louis.
For more information, call (618) 463-1845, write Bethesda Temple, 512 Spring St., Alton, IL 62002, or visit www.bethesdatemplealton.com.
Edited and reprinted with permission from The Alton Telegraph.
