A Soldier In The Army Of The Lord

“The Lord said that He was here to stay and that he was going to make us a habitation, not just a place that He likes to visit. The question is are we ready for revival and the answer is, absolutely yes. We may not feel like we are ready because we are more aware of what we need, and not what He wants.
What is the lord is speaking? Are we ready for a revival? Are we soldiers? What direction is the Lord taking us? The Lord is saying that we are soldiers in His army. Either we understand, or perish.

 I was frustrated because I thought that I was not going to be a part of what the Lord was going to do. We need to understand something and that is, He never takes us to a desert to leave us there. We also need to understand that the hardest part of traveling through the desert is the end. It is at the end when you run out of supplies, you run out of water, and most of the time you’re hopeless. At that point you are ready to step into the oasis. So the Lord’s been saying recently that we are soldiers in His army. As a soldier we are given orders. One of those orders is to not abandon your post. You must carry out your command to the last detail and I believe the Lord has sent us here with a purpose and a plan to accomplish. I believe the Lord has said that He is going to start a revival!

 Let’s turn to 2 Timothy chapter two. Many of us concentrate on the process but as we read this, I want you to focus on the purpose and the reason why we have been enlisted. Focus on why He is calling us soldiers. Do you think it’s just so we can be organized and trained? Are we prepared for a battle that will never come? Are we farmers who sow seeds but never see the harvest? If the lord has called us to be soldiers, surely there will be a battle. If you are a farmer, you are preparing for a harvest. Our strength is found in Christ Jesus, not in ourselves. Our hope is in God.  For me this is a basic principle of revival. I have heard a preacher saying that the common denominator for revival isn’t prayer, although that is a part of it. The key factor for revival is desperation! Is my desire for God so strong that I want nothing else? Am I truly desperate? By enlisting as a soldier, I know that where I will perform is in the battle. I can be very good in the training but when the battle comes, I need to be able to deliver what I’ve trained for. We have been prepared for such a time as this. I asked the Lord if revival is now, then where are the people? The Lord answered me ‘Cast your net!’ What I’m saying is that each one of us has a responsibility. Each one of us has a gift. Maybe you are thinking why am I even here? Maybe you think you are wasting your time. I believe the Lord has brought you here and you do have a purpose in this city.

You are in a time and place where the Lord is waiting for you to respond. This is a time where you are going to use what the Lord has given you. I want you to be aware of the process and purpose that the Lord has called you to. It’s time to become ready and step into it. Let’s be obedient and understanding of what the Lord is doing.”
                                
                                                             Pablo Molina
                                            An excerpt from last Thursday's chapel
                                                         October 10th, 2013

Alumni Highlights

We are so honored to announce Bethany's former graduates Shane and Rachel Roberts’s ordination as Youth Pastors! Congratulations to you both!


Shane and Rachel are originally from Lowville, NY. After graduating High School, Shane felt the Lord prompting him to attend Bible School at Bethany. He was a student from 2009-2011. Rachel later followed in 2011 and graduated in 2013. After completing her course of study, they said their “I do’s” in May, 2013.

Shane and Rachel are members of New Heart Ministries in Syracuse, NY.


Hello Friends!

Rachel and I wanted to share with our Bethany family what the Lord has done in our lives since graduating in May 2013. As of Sunday, September 15th, we were ordained as Youth Pastors in our home church New Heart Ministries. We have felt the call to be youth pastors for many years and we can’t believe that we are actually seeing it come to pass. We were blessed to have our friends and family come and share this moment with us. We were especially honored to have Rod and Wendy Levey be there and share in this exciting new step of our lives. The presence of God was there and it was beautiful. We received prayer and impartation; it was an emotional time for us. Having Rachel’s family there to support us was an even greater blessing. I believe our marriage has been a true testimony to Rachel's parents of the Lord's goodness and faithfulness.

It is a huge responsibility and privilege to minister to the youth and we don't take it lightly. Our hearts desire is to lead a generation sold out for Jesus Christ, who will walk in the destiny that God has for them.

Thank you, for all of your love and support. We know we wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you guys and of course God, guiding and teaching us. We love you and can’t wait to see all of you again.

Feel free to follow New Heart Ministries at www.newheart-ministries.org.

Love,

Shane and Rachel Roberts

We Have Arrived To Chesapeake, Virginia!

We have finally arrived to our new school location in Chesapeake, Virginia! Chapel and classes have resumed and we are excited to see what the Lord is going to do in this new phase of Pinecrest/Bethany's history. Thank you all so much for your prayers and financial support in our endeavor to follow the Lord's leading. Seven years ago when we arrived in Salisbury Center, Joanne and I were sure that we were signing on to a very critical time in the history of Pinecrest, not fully knowing what the Lord had planned. It amazes me how we think we "know" and the whole time the Lord has something else in mind. Thank God the scriptures tell us in 1 Corinthians 2:9 "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him," yet somehow we think we know. I certainly would rather be in the center of His plan than my own. We do have a few events coming up that we would love for you to be apart of. On October 18th, we will be having our Bethany Dedication Service. November 7th-9th we will be having our Fall Women's Conference. Both events will be held at our new school location at New Life Providence Church, located at: 423 Shell Rd. Chesapeake, VA 23323 For more information visit us at bethanybtc.org, or call us at 757-995-5345. May I ask you once again to please continue standing with us, both in your prayers and financial support? We are in a vulnerable stage and need the strength of your prayers, and of course your financial support. Please note our new mailing address. Bethany Bible Training Center P.O. Box 6010 Chesapeake, VA 23323 If you mail something to the Salisbury Center address it will certainly get to us, just a little slower. You can still call us at 315-429-8521 and it will be forwarded to our temporary number. Just leave us a message and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Our permanent landline should be connected shortly. Once again, to those of you who are supporting us, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for partnering with us. For those who have not yet decided to support us on a monthly basis, may I remind you of your time at the school and how the Lord changed your life? Your help will make it possible for those the Lord is yet to send, to have the same opportunity that you had. Please pray and ask the Lord if He would have you support us and if He says yes, know that we would be most appreciative.

End of the Year Reflections

The final school year in New York is coming to a close here at Bethany. This week is the Week of Prayer and graduation is this Saturday, May 4th.The year has flown by, but it has been a wonderful time of meeting with the Lord and allowing our lives to be transformed in His Presence. As we have kept our hearts open to Him, He has been faithful to meet with us and change us, molding us into His image. As the year ends we look back and are thankful for all that He has done, but we also look forward with excited and hopeful anticipation at what He has in store for the future. No matter where He leads each of us after this school year, we have come to know that He is faithful, that He is going before us, and that He will indeed complete the good work that He has begun in us, both individually and as a school. Also, a big thank you to all who have made this life-changing year possible: students, staff, faculty, and partners.The Lord has done great things through your prayers and sacrificial service. May the Lord bless you and lead you into all that He has for you!

NYC Youth Rally

Bethany Bible Training Center is excited to be a part of a special youth conference on Friday April 19th through Sunday, April 21st in New York City. Pastor Lionel Etwaru of Global Christian Ministries is hosting the event, worship will be led by the Bethany worship team, and Jack and Joanne Picataggi will be bringing a present Word from the heart of God. We feel that this will be a special time of the Lord calling and commissioning those who will be future leaders in the Body of Christ to a greater level of intimacy and devotion to Him in preparation for the days to come. Meetings will be held at Global Christian Ministries 86-02 115th St Richmond Hill, NY 11418. Service times: Friday 7:30pm, Saturday 6:30pm, Sunday 10:30am. For more information please contact Bethany Bible Training Center @ 315-429-8521.

A Letter To Our Alumni

Dear Friend,



By now, I am sure that you have heard the news of Bethany Bible Training Center’s move to Chesapeake, Virginia for the upcoming school year. Sometimes when news of this importance is announced, there can be some confusion added as the story is passed along, so I wanted to contact you so you could hear some of the details of this move from me personally.


I have included a link to the letter we recently sent to our mailing list regarding the move. If you have not already read it, please take a moment to read it here @ http://blog.bethanybtc.org/2013/01/there-is-excitement-filling-air-as-news.html before you continue with this e-mail.


As you know from the letter, this move has been four years in the making, and during that time, the Board and I have held the decision before the Lord in much prayer. Even though we are stepping out in faith and obedience in how we believe He is leading us, we do not want to be ahead of the Lord or behind Him, but right in the center of His will.


It can be hard to convey to you in writing, but I feel such a great sense of anticipation for what the Lord has in store for Bethany, and I have heard the same from so many of our friends, donors, staff, and students. Since the announcement has been made, I have been contacted by several seasoned men and women of God who have prophesied that God is in this move, and who, without knowing, answered questions that I personally have held before the Lord about how this move will affect the school. More and more each day, my confidence has grown that God is leading us step by step in this decision.


As far as what the future holds for Bethany, we are planning to start a full schedule of classes in late August at the New Life Providence Church Deep Creek Campus in Virginia. While the church has been generous enough to allow us the use of their building, which is the original church building attached to their larger sanctuary, the school will remain a separate entity from the church.


Regarding the campus here in Salisbury Center, at this time I do not feel we should sell the property. We are planning to hold graduation here in May and Youth Week in July, as well as a few other retreats. For the future, we are looking into opening the buildings for the summers for our conferences, possibly making the campus available to other churches to rent out for retreats, and continuing to have our Work Scholarship students work here in the summer months to help pay for their upcoming school expenses. Then, each winter, we will close up the buildings until the next summer. We do have several major repairs to tackle, including overhauling our water and sewage systems, and we are planning to replace the roofs this summer. I believe that the Lord is not finished with this property, and all that has been spoken over it may still have its fulfillment in the future. We are still seeking Him for exactly how it will come to fruition, but we know that our God is a big God, and He is able to accomplish great things.


As to finances, we will end this school year not owing our outside vendors anything, but we are still behind in our payroll. Our staff and faculty—many of whom you probably know—have been so faithful to serve in this ministry for without receiving a regular paycheck for many months. Bobbi Adkins approached me about starting a fund to help pay the faculty and staff, and if God puts it on your heart to contribute, please feel free to contact her at 315-429-8521, Ext. 46 or bobbi@bethanybtc.org. Beyond that, I believe we have a word from the Lord that He will fully provide for our staff pay and relocation expenses.


Today, I am going to ask you for four things: your prayers, your confidence, your faith, and yes—your financial support. I believe that God met you during your time here, and I ask you to stand with us now and in the future so that the students He sends our way will have the same opportunity you did to encounter Him through the ministry of this school. You can donate online @ http://www.bethanybtc.org/Donate.htm or contact Tico Rios in our Business Office at 315-429-8521, Ext. 12 or businessoffice@bethanybtc.org.


Please feel free to call me at 315-429-8521, Ext. 25 or e-mail me at jack@bethanybtc.org If I can answer any questions for you, or if you have any insight or encouragement for us as we take this step of faith into the future God has for Bethany Bible Training Center. Hope to see you for a visit either here or in Virginia.



May God bless you,


Jack Picataggi

President



If you are not on our mailing list, please send me an email with your address, phone number and any other contact info you would wish to share, also let me know if you wish to receive the Banner and we will be glad to add you to it. If you would prefer not to receive these email updates, send me back an email at jack@pinecrest.org asking to be removed and I will take care of it.

Host Your Event at Bethany

Are you or your church looking for a location to hold annual Conferences, Church Retreats, and/or Youth Events? Contact us here at Bethany and make your summer plans!  For more information call us at (315) 429-8521, or email at reservations@bethanybtc.org.