EVERETT — When Kristi Pardue noticed something was missing at Bethany Christian Assembly, she decided to step forward and fill the void.
There were small groups and activities for college students, families, couples and older members of the congregation but these weren’t right for her. She wanted to start a group for single women in their 20s and 30s.
With the help of another church volunteer, Sokhan Chan, and senior associate pastor Jeff Duchemin, she held a meeting for a small focus group of 10 singles in the Bethany Christian Assembly congregation.
“We wanted to know the unique needs out there for singles,” Duchemin said. “We asked about the challenges singles face and explained our goals to help singles connect to God and then connect to one another in relationships.”
Now, starting in February, the church will offer a singles ministry. Small groups will be broken up by gender and age and meet at times chosen by group members.
Anyone interested in becoming part of the church’s singles ministry is invited to a game night at 7 p.m. Jan. 16 at the church, 2715 Everett Ave.
Planned activities such as a Lynnwood Bowl and Skate night, serving a meal at Union Gospel Mission in Seattle and hiking the Ashland Lakes trail near Verlot all relate back to the church mission of knowing, growing, serving and sharing, Chan said.
“We’re trying to base the events on those,” she said. “If we get all four points fine, but if not, we’ll just focus on one at a time.”
Book discussions, Bible study and conversation in small group settings will also focus on the church mission and help individuals develop their personal relationship with Christ, she added.
Small groups are the heart of Bethany Christian Assembly, Duchemin said, but added that the singles ministry is not intended to be where people meet a future spouse.
“We are the opposite of the meat-market mentality,” he said. “This is a place for single professionals to come who are looking to be closer to God and then to meet other singles in a similar life stage. It’s a place to have fun and to be in a healthy environment.”
Approximately 1,500 people attend Bethany Christian Church on any given Sunday, and 327 members of the congregation are listed as single, Duchemin said.
Chan and Pardue aren’t certain exactly how many people will decide to be part of the singles ministry but are looking forward to the start of the program.
“It will be exciting because we’re really trying to pinpoint small groups that are designed for every stage of life,” Chan said.
Other singles have had an enthusiastic response to the ministry and said they were looking for one to begin, Pardue said. She hopes others will suggest possible events and volunteer to lead small groups.
She expects being involved in the singles ministry will lead to meeting more people in the congregation.
“I want to have more people in the church to connect with and have more spiritual growth,” she said.
Amy Daybert: 425-339-3491, adaybert@heraldnet.com.
Get involved
Bethany Christian Assembly singles ministry will hold a game night at 7 p.m. Jan. 16 at the church, 2715 Everett Ave., Everett.
For more information about the new singles ministry, call the church at 425-339-3303.
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