Where Every Life Matters in Ellerslie
Just north of Columbus along GA-85, on the edge of the rolling country of Harris County, Bethesda Baptist Church has long been a steady landmark in the small community of Ellerslie. The church's motto - Where Every Life Matters - is printed on its signs, painted across its ministry pages, and lived out across a campus that serves everyone from six-week-old infants in the nursery to retirees in senior adult life groups.
Bethesda is a growing church family, anchored by a living faith that the congregation says impacts lives. Two identical Sunday worship services, a full slate of midweek ministries, a Christian child care center, an Upward soccer league, and an extensive missions footprint give the church a wide reach from its single location at 3830 GA-85.
Two Sunday Mornings, One Church
Sunday at Bethesda runs on a rhythm designed so that every age has a place. Worship is offered at 8:30 and 10:30 am, with both services lasting about sixty minutes and featuring live music and teaching. Sunday School fills the gap between them at 9:30 am, and children's and student programming runs alongside both services, so families can attend either hour.
Both morning services offer nursery care for babies six weeks through pre-K, a toddler and preschool program called Little b's, and Children's Church for kindergarten through sixth grade. Middle school and high school students sit with their parents in worship, then gather at 9:30 am for grade-specific classes. Adults find Sunday School classes across the campus, with separate spaces for young adults.
The 10:30 am service is broadcast live on the church's YouTube channel, and recordings are available there from about 1:30 pm onward.
Wednesday Nights Around the Table
Wednesday is the second pillar of the Bethesda week. It opens at 5:15 pm with a Family Dinner - a shared meal that brings the whole church to one table before the night's activities begin.
At 6 pm, the building hums with overlapping ministries. Adults head into Men's and Ladies Life Groups, while children gather for BKids Blast (kindergarten through sixth grade) and Little Friends (two-year-olds through pre-K). The nursery stays open with extended hours so parents can serve in choir. The student ministry runs in the Student room, and at 6 pm the Praise Team practices. An hour later, the Worship Choir and Orchestra assemble for rehearsal at 7 pm.
A Place for Children from Six Weeks Through Sixth Grade
Interim Children's Director Katie Shuler oversees what is, by design, a children's ministry for every stage. On Sundays, the nursery welcomes babies and toddlers during both worship hours and Sunday School. The preschool program, Little b's, teaches children from birth through four years that God made them, God loves them, and Jesus wants to be their friend forever, through play, songs, and Bible stories. Children's Church runs during both services, and Children's Choir meets Sunday evenings at 6 pm.
Wednesday evenings add BKids Blast and Little Friends, and the year rounds out with Awana, Vacation Bible School, summer camps, and Upward Sports.
Safety is built into every layer. Children's and preschool areas are locked down during services, monitored by church personnel, and staffed only by people who have passed background checks and training. Parents check children in and out at every visit.
Students and Young Adults
Student Pastor Mitch Oliver leads a combined middle and high school ministry. Sunday mornings at 9:30 am, students dig deeper into the previous Sunday night message, with a review built in for anyone who missed the week before. Sunday nights at 6 pm are Community Nights: an opening game, live worship, a teaching, and small community groups where students apply the message in gender- and grade-specific settings. Students who cannot be there in person can follow the live stream on the Student Facebook page.
For ages 19 to 30, Young Adult Pastor Michael Barnett and leaders Greg and Teri Grant host a Sunday School class at 9:30 am and The Gathering on Tuesday evenings at 6:30 pm at Chappell Falls retreat, a few miles from the church. The group's stated mission is to reach young adults and lead them into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and prepare them to live boldly for their faith.
Adults: Life Groups, Choir, and Senior Fellowship
Adult ministry is built around Sunday School at 9:30 am and Wednesday Life Groups at 6 pm, with separate tracks for men and women. Senior adults are served through their own Sunday School class and ongoing fellowship, travel, and service opportunities under Rev. Donnie McCoy, the Emeritus Senior Adult Pastor.
Music Ministry, led by Janet Barber, is one of the most visible pieces of adult life at Bethesda. The Praise Team leads the 10:30 am livestream service each week. The Worship Choir and Orchestra rehearse Wednesday evenings at 7 pm and sing regularly in both morning services. Children's Choir meets Sundays at 6 pm.
Recreation: Upward Soccer on the Church Field
Recreation Director Manny Elias oversees Bethesda's Upward Soccer league, an evangelistic sports ministry for pre-K through seventh grade. All games are played on the church's own athletic field. Upward focuses on self-esteem, sportsmanship, character, athletic skills, and respect, and the league is open to boys and girls.
Missions with a Global Reach
Missions is woven into the identity of the church, beginning with the senior pastor. Dr. Steve Stewart has led more than thirty mission trips to Belize, India, Korea, Honduras, and Venezuela, where he has spoken to and trained thousands of pastors. He currently serves on the board of International Servants and as the Academic Dean at Immanuel Seminary. Dr. Paul Whisnant serves as Bethesda's Belize Missionary Partner.
The Bethesda Baptist Child Care Center
The Bethesda Baptist Child Care Center is a ministry of the church in its own right. Open from 6:30 am to 6 pm, Monday through Friday, the center offers Christ-centered care for children from six weeks old through fifth grade, with full-time care, before- and after-school care, and safe transportation from selected public schools.
The center uses the Pinnacle Faith Based Curriculum and serves USDA-compliant breakfasts, lunches, and afternoon snacks. The classrooms are organized by age, with extra consideration for children who have unique emotional, physical, or intellectual needs. Throughout the year, children participate in Bible-centered songs, games, lessons, seasonal programs, musical performances, field trips, and summer activities.
Daycare Manager Crystal Amundson and her team run a secure facility with cameras throughout the building and strict sign-in and sign-out procedures. Fees can be paid online through Procare.
Food Bank and Outreach
Lisa Khalil leads the church's Food Bank ministry as part of Bethesda's broader outreach. The church also partners with local schools through its daycare transportation program and with families across Harris County through Upward Sports.
Pastor Steve Stewart and the Pastoral Team
Dr. Steve Stewart became Bethesda's Senior Pastor in 2022. Before coming to Ellerslie, he served for eighteen years as Senior Pastor at Oak Hill, where he saw the church grow from 70 to 3,000. He holds a Master of Divinity from Mid-America Seminary and a Doctor of Theology from Immanuel Seminary. His stated heart is for Bethesda to be a church where every life matters, and he is known for a love of fitness offset by a weakness for chocolate and home cooking.
He is supported by an extensive pastoral and ministry staff. Michael Barnett serves as Young Adult Pastor. Mitch Oliver leads students. Mike Patton is Pastor of Member Care, and Chris Edwards has joined as Pastor of Membership Involvement. Manny Elias directs Recreation Ministries, and Brody Espiritu serves as Director of Communications.
A Legacy from Rev. David Helms
Rev. David Helms pastored Bethesda Baptist Church for thirty-one years, shepherding the congregation with grace, humility, and a deep love for the Gospel. In 2022, he transitioned to the role of Pastor Emeritus. The church continues to honor that legacy in its ongoing ministry.
Planning a Sunday Visit
Bethesda's Plan a Visit page invites first-time guests to make Sunday the best day of the week. The church is located just a little north of Columbus in Harris County. As visitors enter the main entrance, the Guest Services team, led by Shirley Mahoney, is ready to answer questions.
Parking is marked with orange Guest Parking flags near the entrance, and Handicap Parking is available close to the main door. Arriving about ten minutes before the service begins is recommended. The dress code is casual: jeans, shorts, dresses, and business casual attire are all common. Children do not need to register ahead of time; families simply check in when they arrive.
Giving is available online through Realm, and the church office can be reached at 706-561-9607 or BethesdaBaptistEllerslie@gmail.com.