What Is Our Story?
In February of 2004, Lead Pastors Jonathan and Monica Gannon began taking “baby steps” towards planting a new church in Liberty, Missouri. An exciting adventure was born out of a vision to reach the city of Liberty by planting a vibrant and relevant church in the heart of a growing city. During the pre-launch and planning phase, the church met in the home of Ed and Glenda Kleppinger.
As a small group of 16, they began to pray and seek God for His plans to reach the city of Liberty. They searched out many facility options, and God opened a door with the Liberty School District to begin meeting at Lillian Schumacher Elementary School. Bethel Church of Liberty was officially born on April 4, 2004 with 28 people in attendance.
Our first Sunday was full of excitement and faith as they set-up Bethel Church in the school for the first time. Since that day, God has blessed BC with new families and individuals as they saw the church family grow. Throughout the first year BC averaged 55+ in attendance on Sunday mornings, with an exciting Easter morning of 110 in attendance!
On August 21, 2005 BC moved into the brand new South Valley Jr. High School. This beautiful facility became the new Sunday morning home. They anxiously anticipated all that God would do in the coming months and years!
In October 2007 BC purchased the building and land on Nashua Road (1025 Nashua Rd). They began remodeling and holding services there in December of 2007.
Two monumental happenings in the year of 2008. Lead Pastors Jonathan and Monica Gannon were sensing a redirection in the call of God upon their lives to resign and for Jonathan to become Global Outreach Director for Jewish Voice Ministries. Pastor Jonathan and Monica resigned their position on January 15, 2009 to pursue the call the Lord placed in their hearts.
On February 15, 2009 Bethel Church ratified the District Appointment of Pastor Les & Jody Clark to become Lead Pastors.
Bethel Church continues on the solid foundation that the Lord began through Bethel “that people can and must encounter God at critical moments and in life changing ways.”