|
Nate & Wendy Elarton | LEAD
PASTOR
LIFE STORY- I grew up in the small town of Morenci, Michigan.
I was the youngest of five children. Growing up I was close to my
grandma Ford who would take me to the Methodist church where I was an
Acolyte, so I grew up "knowing about" church. It wasn't until my
older brother Steve, invited me to a church picnic when I was 17 years
old, that I realized God's amazing love for me. That day, kneeling
on a railroad tie I gave my heart to the Lord.
Soon after giving my
heart to the Lord I met my wife, Wendy at a local Christian bookstore.
We started dating and I headed to North Central University in
Minneapolis, MN where I majored in Pastoral Studies. Wendy and I
married in 1987, I later graduated from NCU with a Bachelor of Science.
We served as youth pastors for the next 10 years in three different
churches. In 1990 I became an Ordained Assembly of God pastor.
In 1996 my wife Wendy
and I came to Temperance, MI to plant Bedford Christian Community.
It has been an incredible 13 year adventure of seeing lives changed by
the Power of God. Since planting the church, our family has grown,
I went back and got my Master's degree from Heritage Theological
Seminary, the BCC staff has grown, and most importantly the Kingdom of
God has been pushed forward! Wendy and I have been married for 23
years and have three children; Abigail, Gabriel, and Levi.
HOPE FOR BCC- My
hope for BCC is that we would be a missional community of people called
to live our lives incarnationally, showing Jesus Christ to those in our
family, workplaces, and neighborhoods. My hope is that we would
have a passion to love God, and our lives would reflect that. My
hope is that we would love people, those in the family of God, and those
who are not yet part of God's family, and that we would love them
unconditionally. My hope is that we would find our plan in serving
this world the love and message of Christ in positive ways, and in
creative purpose.
personal blog:
www.nateelarton.com |be my friend on
FACEBOOK| follow me on
TWITTER
Rick & Beth Flood | ASSOCIATE
PASTOR
LIFE STORY- I
grew up for the most part in Orlando, Florida. I was raised in a
single family home where my mom took us to church every week. I
did not become a follower of Christ until I was 19 years old. I
moved to Detroit Michigan where I lived with an Aunt and Uncle. I
was unsure of what to do with my life so I followed a cousin to North
Central University. While there I began to feel God leading me
towards ministry. I received a call from Pastor Nate to be the
intern at Bedford Christian Community, where I have been ever since.
I used correspondence courses to study while in ministry and received my
credentialing with the Assemblies of God. I have been on staff at
BCC for 12 years. In May of 1998 I married my wife Beth and now we
have three children; Elijah, Ethan, and Bryn.
HOPE FOR BCC- My
hope for BCC is that we would be a community that takes serious the call
that God has placed on us to be passionate believers and followers of
Jesus Christ. That we would be compelled to love God with all our
hearts, love people in practical ways, and serve the world with every
ounce of strength and breathe in us.
personal blog:
www.prfragments.typepad.com
Tom & Jen Broyles | STUDENT
PASTOR
LIFE STORY- My
life has been blessed from day one, being born into a strong Christian
family. Although we didn't attend church regularly until I was
nearing Jr. High, I was taught the Word and I knew of Christ's love.
That foundation was enough to keep me from making destructive decisions
until the Lord really got a hold of my life. I was the average
sports loving teenage boy. Our church started a basketball league
and required all the players to attend church twice a week. I
signed up without hesitation. I had been going on Sunday, but now
I had to attend the youth group. Over the course of the next
couple months God stole my attention, revealed his love to me, and I
finally made my decision to follow him with all my heart.
Shortly after God
captured my heart a young blonde haired, beautiful girl caught my
attention, Jen! We dated a few years and got married one month
before leaving to pursue my calling in ministry at Southeastern
University in Lakeland, Florida. After graduating, I was brought
on to serve as Associate Young Adults and Drama pastor at Victory Church
in Lakeland. In August 2007 we knew God was directing our path to
Bedford Christian Community and I had never been so excited. We
were met with a loving community, without a doubt the best church
family, and some of the most amazing youth and young adults in the
world. Jen and I have been married for 10 years and now have two
children; Callie and Ian.
HOPE FOR BCC- My
hope for BCC is that we would be all that God calls us to be. That
sounds simplistic but it's of paramount importance because there are a
lot of good ideas that aren't God ideas. In a fallen world there
are no less than a million tasks and opportunities we could invest in,
but in the end I want BCC to be invested in the plan of God. I
know that involves dynamic worship, lifelong discipleship, passionate
evangelism, and so much more. I believe that as we stay on the
path God has called us to we'll continue to see those things to happen;
we'll see a community impacting church; and we'll see the plan of God
fulfilled...And if at some point in time that plan includes a youth
facility, all the better!
|be my friend on
FACEBOOK|
 |