On Appleton Road in Menasha, Wisconsin, Bethel Lutheran Church has been a steady presence in the Fox Valley for nearly seventy years, and since 2006 it has grown into a bilingual congregation serving both English-speaking and Latino families in the region. The church's stated mission is to connect people with Christ and each other through clear gospel ministry in English and Spanish, and that dual calling shapes everything from the weekly worship schedule to the children's program to the free ESL classes offered on weeknights. Bethel describes itself as offering Christ-centered worship, life-long Christian education, one united family of faith, a welcoming atmosphere, a multicultural congregation, and a mission to connect even more souls to Jesus.
Three Weekly Services in English, Spanish, and Bilingual
Bethel meets for worship three times each week, in three distinct settings. The English-language service takes place on Sunday at 9:00 AM, followed by a Spanish-language service on Sunday at 11:00 AM. A bilingual service, held on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 PM, brings both language communities together for a shared liturgy and message in one room. All three services are livestreamed on Bethel's YouTube channel, so members who are traveling or homebound and visitors curious about the church can follow along at any hour. The church is a member congregation of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, and the services follow a traditional liturgical structure rooted in the Lutheran Confessions.
A Pastor for Both Communities
Pastor Ethan Cherney serves as Bethel's bilingual minister, caring for the spiritual needs of both Anglo and Latino families and individuals. He came to Bethel in 2021 after serving a congregation in Pomona, California. The son of a missionary, he describes himself as a "citizen of the world" who loves learning, new experiences, and sharing them with his wife and children. In addition to preaching and pastoring both language communities, Pastor Cherney hosts the devotional podcast Dust and Breath, in which he walks through the people of the Bible in a personal, reflective way. Episodes are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other podcast platforms for anyone who wants a short, Scripture-centered devotion during the week.
Sunday Bible Hour and Catechism Reading
At 10:00 AM on Sunday mornings, between the two main worship services, the congregation gathers for Bible Hour. The English-speaking group reads together from the book of Acts, working through the text a few verses at a time and discussing what it means for the church today. After the Spanish service concludes, the Spanish-speaking members spend additional time reading and discussing Luther's Small Catechism together in their own language. This mid-morning hour has become a natural bridge between the two services, giving families a reason to stay on the grounds and study the Word together across generations rather than simply passing through between services.
Children, Nursery, and Family Life
Children have a clear place in the life of the church. Children's Bible Hour and nursery care begin at 10:00 AM on Sunday mornings, running at the same time as the adult Bible Hour so that parents can attend a study while their children learn at their own level. The result is a full morning of intergenerational worship and teaching, with something happening for every age from infancy through adulthood. Parents with young children can attend the 9:00 AM English service, drop their children at the 10:00 AM Bible Hour and nursery, attend their own adult Bible Hour, and then continue through the rest of the morning as their schedule allows.
Women's Bible Study and ESL Classes
Beyond Sunday mornings, Bethel offers two midweek programs that have become regular fixtures in the congregation. On Monday mornings at 10:00 AM, women from the fellowship gather for Bible study, building friendships and digging into Scripture together. On Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00 PM, the church hosts free English as a Second Language classes, with childcare provided so parents can attend without worry. The program runs seasonally and draws students and tutors from across the Fox Valley; volunteer hours are available for high school and adult volunteers who want to help. The dedicated ESL contact line is 920-840-5490.
Partners in Christian Education
Bethel is a mission congregation of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, a nationwide church body rooted in the Lutheran Confessions. Locally, the congregation supports and participates in the ministry of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran School, a Christian school that serves children from preschool through eighth grade. Bethel also belongs to the federation of churches that together sustain Fox Valley Lutheran High School, giving its students a continuing path of Lutheran education from early childhood through graduation.
Serving at Bethel
Volunteers keep the church running week to week, and Bethel actively recruits in several areas. Each team provides on-the-job training and a flexible schedule, so newcomers can shadow until they feel comfortable:
- Altar Guild prepares and cleans up communion, changes paraments and banners, and arranges flowers. Experienced members guide new volunteers.
- AV Worship Support runs the screens that help the congregation follow along with the service.
- Ushers distribute bulletins, escort worshipers to their seats, receive offerings, control lighting, and open and close the church doors. The team needs fifteen to twenty ushers each year, with each usher serving one service per week for one month at a time.
- Counters process the weekly offerings after the service.
- Groundskeeping handles mowing, mulching, and shrub trimming throughout the year.
- Greeters welcome visitors at the door and help newcomers feel at home.
Online Resources and Giving
Bethel shares updates, livestreams, and short videos through its Facebook and YouTube pages. Online giving is available through a secure portal. The church also points members to Academia Cristo, a free online platform for studying the Bible, God, and Christ the Savior at one's own pace, with a downloadable app for use on a phone or tablet.
Visiting Bethel
The church building sits at 829 Appleton Road in Menasha. Visitors are welcome to come as they are; the congregation includes both Anglo and Latino families who serve, pray, and grow together across language and background. The church office can be reached at 920-725-1822 for English and 920-840-5490 for Spanish during the week.
For nearly seventy years Bethel has offered peace through Jesus to its neighbors in Menasha, and today it does so in two languages, three weekly services, and a wide circle of Bible study, Christian education, and community outreach that reaches well beyond the church walls.