Sunday Mornings on East Bethalto Drive
Bethalto Church of God sits at 800 E. Bethalto Drive in Bethalto, Illinois, a small Madison County town along the river road northeast of St. Louis. The church holds two Sunday gatherings each week, at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., so families can pick the hour that fits their week. Both services are open to anyone walking in, and the later service is broadcast live on Facebook and YouTube for those who cannot attend in person.
Lead Pastors Jacob and Susan Skelton
Jacob and Susan Skelton began leading BCOG on Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021. Pastor Jacob preaches and oversees the church's life and administration, while Susan focuses on hospitality and care ministries; the Skeltons also serve several roles supporting the Illinois Church of God State Office. Before moving to Bethalto, the couple led congregations in Lincoln and Kincaid, Illinois, and they pastor alongside their twins, Ian and Lilly.
Supporting the lead pastors is a full staff: Executive Pastor and Kids Pastor Ben Ratchford, Admin Director Susan Skelton, Impressions Director Ralph Calame, Communications Director Kayla Brown, and Worship Ministry Directors Brandon and Andrea Lloyd. Denise Stauffer leads the Care Core Team, and Blake and Mindy Schuette direct the Groups Core Team.
BKids: From Nursery Through Fifth Grade
Children have a place in both Sunday services through BKids, the church's age-graded ministry. The nursery serves newborns through age 2, with toddlers (2 and 3) and preschoolers (4 and 5) joining in their own rooms. At the 8:30 a.m. hour, children ages 0 to 3 stay in the nursery while kindergarten through fifth graders rotate through Royal Rangers and Girls Club. At the 10:30 a.m. hour, the nursery and toddler classes run alongside a preschool class and a dedicated Kids Worship Service for kindergarten through fifth grade. BKids also gathers on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. for small groups covering ages 3 through fifth grade.
Guarded Heart Youth
Middle and high school students, sixth through twelfth grade, meet under the banner of Guarded Heart Youth. The youth ministry carries its own presence online through the Equip Youth Instagram account, giving students and parents a steady stream of updates, devotionals, and event news beyond Sunday mornings.
Wednesday Dinner and Small Groups
The midweek rhythm at BCOG begins with a shared meal at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, followed by adult small groups at 6:30 p.m. The groups are shaped and overseen by Groups Core Team Leads Blake and Mindy Schuette and are designed to give adults a consistent place for Bible study, prayer, and friendship through the week.
Tuesday nights carry a simpler focus. A prayer service meets at 6:30 p.m., inviting the congregation into a dedicated hour of intercession before the busier Wednesday pace begins.
Illinois Church of God and a Wider Reach
BCOG belongs to the Illinois Church of God, the state office that supports congregations across the region. The Skeltons serve in several roles within that state office, and BCOG promotes Illinois Church of God events, including summer camps for children and teens. The church also keeps a calendar of its own building and ministry events, with online forms for reserving space and requesting ministry event dates.
Giving and Staying Connected
People who call BCOG home can give in several ways. Online giving is set up through Church Center, checks can be mailed to 800 E. Bethalto Dr., Bethalto, IL 62010, and any dollar amount can be texted to 1-866-725-4205 with the word Give. Cash and checks are also received in the offering during services. A Connect Track helps newcomers move from a first visit into the life of the church, and a recent sermon archive is available on YouTube for anyone wanting to catch up.