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Our Purpose
Our purpose at Bethany is to reach and teach people to be devoted followers of Christ. We do that by making four vital connections:
- Connecting with God through worship and prayer
- Connecting with God’s Word through study and application
- Connecting with one another in friendship and care
- Connecting with the world to reach the world for Christ
Connecting with God
Worship at Bethany is God-centered, uplifting, relevant, authentic, and life changing. We meet for worship every Sunday at 10:30 am. Nursery and Children’s classes are provided.
Connecting with God’s Word
No matter what your age, Bethany is a great place to grow in the knowledge and application of God’s Word. Sunday messages are biblical, relevant, and life-changing. Classes for all ages meet on Sunday mornings at 9:00 am. We also offer a variety of ministries for all ages that meet throughout the week.
Connecting with One Another
Christian friends share joy in the good times and provide strength and support during life’s struggles. There are many great circles of friendship at Bethany. We’d love to include you in one of them.
Connecting with Our World
We are a missional church, intentionally connecting with our world in order to connect our world to Christ. That takes place both locally and world wide. We care about our community and are striving to bring the truth, love, and peace of Christ to those around us. Bethany also helps support more than twenty missionaries and mission organizations serving the Lord in ten countries.
Our Beliefs
- We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, and the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.
- We believe in the Trinity (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit).
- We believe that Jesus Christ is fully God; that He is eternal, came to earth, was born of a virgin, lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, rose from death, ascended to heaven, and will come again.
- We believe that everyone who receives Christ as Savior will have eternal life in heaven. We also believe there is a hell.
- We believe that the church consists of those who have received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and have chosen to belong to a fellowship of believers.
- We believe that God has given the church the mission to spread the good news of eternal life through Christ.
- We believe that Christians should strive to live their lives in ways that bring glory to God.
Our Affiliations
We are affiliated with the Baptist General Conference and the Southwest Baptist Conference. These affiliations enable us to team with sister churches to send out missionaries, plant new churches, and own and operate a university and seminaries (Bethel University and Seminary in St. Paul, MN and Bethel Seminary San Diego, CA).
Our Ministries
Bethany offers the following ministries to “Bring Faith to Life” in individuals and families.
Our History
Bethany started with a vision. In 1963 people began meeting in homes to lay the groundwork for planting a church in Thousand Oaks. The first public worship service was held in 1964 at the YMCA. As the church grew, it met in several locations, including an old building affectionately known as “Peterson’s Barn” and then a local school. The present site was obtained in 1966. The first building was completed in 1970. An educational building was constructed in 1975. The church buildings and grounds were upgraded and remodeled in 2000 and 2004. Bethany has been served by four senior pastors: Rev. James Rehnberg (1965-1980), Rev. George Rutenbar (1982-1990), Rev. J. P. Jones (1990-1997), and Dr. Daniel Borg (1999-present).
Throughout its history Bethany has been very committed to serving the children and youth of our valley. In 1974 Bethany Christian School was founded as a ministry of the church to provide a Christian education to preschool and elementary children of the Conejo Valley. The first principal of the school was Helen Gateka. The current principal is Shirley Hackleman. In addition to the school, Bethany has consistently offered outstanding ministries to children and youth. Bethany is a kid-friendly church.
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