Iglesia Bethel sits on East 8th Street in National City, just minutes from downtown San Diego, and serves as a Spanish-speaking evangelical congregation for families throughout the South Bay. Pastors William and Maricela Preston lead the church, which has grown into a hub for worship, children's ministry, and Christian education in both Spanish and English. The congregation gathers twice a week for services, runs an early childhood and elementary school, and reaches children, youth, and women through a range of dedicated ministries that reflect a strong family focus.
Sunday Mornings and Wednesday Nights
The church meets for worship on Sundays and Wednesdays, with prayer woven into both gatherings. Sunday mornings begin at 8:30 with a half hour of prayer, followed by the main service at 9:00. Wednesday evenings are set aside for a worship and prayer service, with doors opening at 6:30 and the service beginning at 7:00. Both services take place at the East 8th Street building and are livestreamed on the church's YouTube channel for those who cannot attend in person.
BethelKids and Friday Youth Gatherings
Children are woven into the life of Iglesia Bethel from an early age. BethelKids meets every Sunday at 9:30 for children ages two through twelve, with classes and a service designed for their age group. The ministry's purpose is to help children develop their own relationship with God through teaching and interaction. For older students, the youth ministry gathers every Friday at 7:00 in the youth room. Junior high and high school students come together for worship, teaching, games, and small group time. The youth ministry exists, the church says, "to impact Jr. High and High School students with the Gospel, equip student-leaders for life-long ministry, and to empower students to build the kingdom of God at their own schools and beyond." Updates and events are shared through the @iglesiabethelyouth Instagram account.
Pastors William and Maricela Preston
William and Maricela Preston serve as the pastors of Iglesia Bethel. The couple is described as "passionate about our community" and as expositors of the word of God. Pastor Billy Preston, the same Pastor William, personally oversees the child dedication ministry and signs the welcome letter to families who present their children at the altar. He can be reached through the church office at (619) 477-8092 for those who wish to schedule a dedication.
What Iglesia Bethel Believes
Iglesia Bethel holds to a conservative evangelical faith grounded in the Bible as the inspired, infallible word of God. The church teaches the Trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and affirms the full deity of Jesus Christ, his virgin birth, his vicarious death on the cross, his bodily resurrection, his ascension to the right hand of the Father, and his promised return. The church also looks forward to the rapture of the church as described in Paul's letters to the Thessalonians and to the Corinthians. The Holy Spirit is honored as the executive power of the Godhead, who convicts of sin, seals the believer, and empowers holy living. The church teaches that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a subsequent experience for every believer who yields fully to God's will, and that water baptism follows a personal profession of faith through full immersion.
Damas and the Águilas Doradas
The women's ministry, called Damas, exists "to empower and encourage women spiritually and mentally." Through special events and services, women in the church build closer relationships with God and with one another. Within Damas, a branch called Águilas Doradas gathers women ages fifty and older for fellowship and encouragement. The ministry provides a space for older women to share their faith and life experience with one another.
Little Lambs Preschool and Bethel Academy
The church operates two Christian schools that serve the National City community. Little Lambs Preschool is a bilingual school and daycare for children ages two through five, run as an outreach ministry of the church. Bethel Academy extends the same model through sixth grade and offers year-round child care. Both programs are designed to be affordable for local families, in keeping with the church's commitment to reach the surrounding neighborhood. Janet Acevedo handles inquiries for Little Lambs and Priscilla Valdez oversees Bethel Academy; both can be reached at (619) 477-2422.
Child Dedication at the Altar
Iglesia Bethel practices child dedication as a public act of consecration, responsibility, and blessing. Parents bring their child to the front of the sanctuary during a regular service, where the pastor asks them to commit publicly to raising the child in the knowledge of God. The church teaches that dedication is not a means of salvation, since salvation comes only through faith in Jesus Christ, but an outward sign of faith and a commitment to nurture the child until they are old enough to make their own profession of faith through baptism. A certificate of dedication is given to the family within ten days of the ceremony. Families interested in scheduling a dedication can call the church office.
Prayer Requests and Giving
Anyone can submit a prayer request online, where Philippians 4:6-7 is featured: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." The church thanks members and visitors for their tithes and offerings, which support the preaching of the gospel in National City. Giving is available through Tithe.ly, in person at the church office (open weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.), or by mail to the church address.