A WELS Congregation in Appleton Since 1941
Bethany Lutheran Church has stood on Parkway Boulevard in Appleton since September of 1941. In its 85th year, the congregation marked the milestone with a festival worship service, guest preacher, and fellowship meal - all under the theme "Rise in Celebration." What has stayed constant through all those decades is the reason the church was planted in the first place: to bring the Word of God to the Appleton community and to share the love of Jesus with all people, one heart and home at a time.
Bethany is part of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), a national church body that, in the spirit of the sixteenth-century reformer Martin Luther, holds to the authority and truth of God's Word. The WELS partners with several international church bodies to form a global ministry partnership. Bethany is also a member of WELS United, a cluster of Fox Valley WELS congregations that cooperate to reach out to the area with the gospel.
Mission: One Heart and Home at a Time
Bethany's mission is to live out the faith and share Jesus' love with all people, one heart and home at a time. The vision breaks into four emphases that shape everything the congregation does:
- Worship God by coming together around Word and Sacrament.
- Grow spiritually by faithfully studying his Word at home and together.
- Serve God and others by using distinct gifts.
- Share the hope of heaven by telling others about the grace of Jesus.
Those four emphases are echoed in the ministries the church offers - worship, Bible study for every age, Christian education through grade 12, marriage and family counseling, support groups, and partnerships with local food and clothing ministries.
The Gospel Bethany Proclaims
Bethany's confession centers on the words of Luke 19:10: "The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." On its message page the congregation teaches that Jesus is true God and true man, the substitute who lived the perfection human beings cannot achieve, took the punishment sin deserves on the cross, and rose from the dead as God's stamp of approval on a finished work. Through faith in him, believers are brought to live forever in heaven.
Baptism is one of the means through which God begins or strengthens his relationship with an individual, washing the recipient from the guilt of sin and bringing them into his covenant of grace. Quoting 1 Peter 3:21, the church teaches that baptism "saves you also - not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God." Bethany baptizes individuals of any age free of charge, and the pastors are happy to sit down with anyone curious about what Scripture says about baptism.
Three Weekly Services in Two Distinct Styles
Worship is the focal point of Bethany's ministries, the weekly base-touch for members and the place where the whole body gathers to grow in faith and find rest for the soul. Three services are offered each week at the Parkway campus so that members and visitors can find a rhythm that fits their week.
Sunday morning worship takes place at 9:00 am and Monday evening worship at 6:00 pm. Both services follow a Modern Traditional format that blends ancient liturgical responses and songs with contemporary settings of those deep-rooted practices. Hymns lean traditional, often paired with contemporary instrumentation. Pastors and chancel figures are vested in the tradition of the Christian Church.
Saturday worship at 4:30 pm is a Family Worship Gathering. Casual in style, the service is intentionally designed to engage children of all ages and unfolds like a story - opening with worship songs and confession, building up to Jesus' message, and closing with reflection, prayer, and more worship songs. Worship bands lead the music, incorporating popular Christian contemporary music alongside newer artists. After the service the congregation mingles for snacks and fellowship, so plan to stay a while.
Both the Saturday and Sunday services are livestreamed on Bethany's Facebook page and YouTube channel, so members who are traveling or unable to attend in person can still take part.
Family Bible Study Hour and Sunday Education
At 10:15 am on Sunday mornings, immediately after the second service, the Family Bible Study Hour fills the Parkway campus. Adults gather in the lower-level fellowship hall for Sunday Studies with Pastor Matt Krenke, who rotates through topical studies and books of the Bible. Children from 4K through 8th grade attend Growing in Christ classes on their level, with 6th through 8th graders meeting upstairs.
Growing in Christ is a comprehensive, interactive curriculum that walks children age 3 through 8th grade through the entire timeline of Bible history. Each yearly cycle covers the same broad story so that by the end of the program children have a comprehensive knowledge of the Bible's big picture. The program is led by an experienced staff of youth workers and is built on the conviction that Christian education begins in the home, with the church serving as a partner to parents in training up children in the faith.
Midweek Bible Studies for Every Season of Life
Tuesday mornings at 7:30 am, a group of men gathers at the Parkway campus for the Men's Breakfast Bible Study. Peer-facilitated by Chuck Clarey, the men share a light breakfast and coffee as they study God's Word together. The group is open to men ages 16 and older, and the time together is built around Proverbs 27:17: "As iron sharpens iron," the men sharpen one another through the Scriptures and encourage each other in their varied roles.
Wednesday mornings at 10:00 am, Midweek Oasis is designed for Bethany's 55+ members. Pastor Belter leads the class through books of the Bible, with regular servings of home-baked treats shared by class members who come early for food and fellowship.
Connections small groups of seven to twelve members also meet throughout the week in homes around the area. Each group discusses the previous week's sermon using a study guide provided by the church. The fall session runs weekly, with breaks for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Lent. Groups can also be formed around a topic of mutual interest rather than the sermon, and member-leaders can pick where to host.
Confirmation and Bible History for the Young
Bethany partners with parents in Christian education by offering two years of confirmation instruction for 7th and 8th graders and a Bible History class that prepares 5th and 6th graders for that work. Both classes meet Wednesdays at 4:30 pm at the Parkway campus.
Bible History, taught by Pastor Belter, gives students a "big picture" view of the story of salvation across two years - 143 Old and New Testament accounts in all, with attention to key doctrines woven into the narrative. The class does not meet during Advent or Lent.
Confirmation, taught by Pastor Krenke, focuses on doctrinal instruction based on Martin Luther's Small Catechism. Students who complete the curriculum are invited to receive the Lord's Supper at Bethany and other WELS churches. The two-year curriculum offers a well-rounded overview of the Christian faith and teaches junior-high students how to apply Scripture to their daily decisions.
Discipleship.101: A Starting Place
For anyone new to Christianity, new to Bethany, or simply wanting a brush-up on the basics, Discipleship.101 is a nine-week class led by Pastor Krenke that provides an overview of the chief teachings of the Bible and presents what Bethany believes and teaches. The winter session start date is announced on the church calendar, and registration is available online.
Marriage, Family, and Pastoral Counseling
Bethany offers marriage enrichment classes throughout the year to help couples refocus on each other and grow in their relationship. Pastor Krenke provides strengthening counseling, situational counseling, and pre-marriage counseling for couples at any stage - from newly engaged to long-married, and through major life changes or seasons of strain.
Family counseling is also available with Pastor Krenke, who brings the perspective of God's Word to family conflicts of any size. The goal is to help family members talk to one another and find the peace that Scripture offers, whether the struggle feels big or small.
Walking Through Hard Seasons
A network of resources supports people facing some of life's heaviest struggles. Several of these ministries are run by partner organizations that meet at other venues around the Fox Valley:
- Freedom for the Captives - a WELS organization that ministers to child abuse survivors and helps them understand the physical, emotional, and spiritual impact of abuse.
- Conquerors Through Christ - support for those tempted by or caught in pornography, built around confession and the power of the cross.
- Christian Family Counseling - scripturally-based care for abuse, anxiety, depression, grief, and other struggles. The local office is at 4351 West College Ave., Suite 410, Appleton.
- WhatAboutJesus.com - an evangelism resource covering topics like "Jesus Who?", "Questioning God?", "Life Concerns", "The Bible", and "Worship."
- GriefShare - a weekly Bible-based, Christ-centered support group for adults grieving the loss of someone close. The current session runs Saturdays at 9:00 am at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Little Chute.
- DivorceCare - a weekly group for those struggling after divorce, currently hosted Mondays at 6:30 pm at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Greenville.
- Cradled in Christ Ministry - a faith-centered, compassionate space for parents and families who have experienced pregnancy loss, miscarriage, or infant loss. It is located on the CORE Campus at 820 W College Ave, Appleton.
- Christian Recovery Group - a year-round, open group that supports people struggling with addiction - substance abuse, pornography, gambling, anxiety, or other issues - through informal worship, small group Bible study, and fellowship. It meets Wednesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 pm at the CORE and is available both virtually and in person.
Apple Valley Food Pantry and Fox Valley Outreach
WELS United, the cluster of Fox Valley WELS congregations to which Bethany belongs, sponsors the Apple Valley Food Pantry. The pantry assists WELS individuals and families and others throughout the Fox Valley identified and qualified by WELS pastors, providing monthly grocery assistance that may last a month, a few months, or the long term.
Bethany members support the pantry through regular collections at church, with a current list of needed items posted in the newsletter and online. The pantry accepts a wide range of staples - cereals, canned fruits and vegetables, soups, pasta, side dishes, jams, pancake mix and syrup, and personal-care items like soaps and shampoos.
Bethany also points members to the Hope Center, an Appleton-based outreach ministry of Christian Life Resources established in 1986. The Hope Center serves families in the community from any religious background, enriching lives physically, emotionally, and spiritually through a network of caring volunteers.
FVL Schools, WELS United, and the Bargain Garden
Bethany's ministry extends well beyond its own walls through a network of partner organizations.
The congregation supports Fox Valley Lutheran High School (FVL) as a federation congregation. FVL prepares students for college and careers and gives them a solid footing in God's Word and a biblical perspective on life. Bethany is proud to financially support many of its high school students who attend FVL and makes annual financial commitments to the school.
FVL Schools is a partnership of 26 WELS schools in the Fox River Valley - 20 elementary schools, 5 child care centers, and the high school - serving over 3,000 students. Bethany's Our Shepherd Childcare Center is one of the child-care partners. Schools stretch from Green Bay in the north to Oshkosh in the south, Weyauwega to the west and Brillion to the east, with more than half a dozen in the greater Appleton area. The schools share a preschool-through-12th-grade curriculum and offer joint sports, music, and academic enrichment programs.
Bethany also points visitors to the Bargain Garden Thrift Shop at 2725 N. Meade St. in Appleton. The thrift shop sells jewelry, books, clothing, shoes, housewares, furniture, toys, home decor, crafts, holiday goods, and collectibles, and accepts donations of gently used items. Proceeds benefit Fox Valley Lutheran High School and other WELS non-profit organizations.
The People Who Lead Bethany
Bethany is served by Pastor Matt Krenke, who joined the congregation after a year of ministry at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Las Vegas. Earlier in his career he served a bilingual group at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, then Zion Lutheran Church in Valentine, Nebraska, and St. John's Lutheran Church in Jefferson, Wisconsin. Pastor Belter also serves on the ministry team, teaching Bible History, Midweek Oasis, and the Wednesday Bible study.
The lay leadership includes Matthew Koepsell, who serves as Church President and head of the Leadership Team and has been teaching in the Religion and Social Studies departments at Fox Valley Lutheran High School since 2000. Kent Uhlenbrauck leads the Growth Ministry team and oversees large group, small group, and personal Bible studies. Caleb Bentz is the Worship Team Lead. John Behrens, a 2004 Martin Luther College graduate who currently leads brand and communications at Heartland Business Systems, serves as Sharing Team Lead. Ruth Lehmann directs the Sunday School program for children.
Members who want to get involved can fill out the Gifts and Talents Survey or contact the church office at 920-733-9561 or churchoffice@bethanyappleton.org. Bethany Lutheran Church stands at 530 W. Parkway Blvd., Appleton, Wisconsin, where it has been gathering people around the Word and Sacrament since 1941.