Bethlehem Lutheran Church

Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Royal, Iowa

Programs and Missions

Values Statement
Our ongoing mission is to make disciples for Jesus Christ in our thoughts, words, and deeds. Followers of Jesus strive to know him more, to build up the local body of believers, and to bear witness to his love in our community and wider world.

Adult discipleship programs consist of Bible study series, women's monthly Bible studies, and monthly series for the elderly. Youth are served by Chris Michael, who serves as the youth and family ministry director for Bethlehem and Hope (Everly) Lutheran Churches. Confirmation is taught weekly during the school year by Pastor Mechler. Students are in the 6th-8th grades. Wednesday afternoon King's Kamp and Sunday morning education are provided for threes through fifth grade, September to May. (See the calendar on our website for program information.)

We strive to participate in benevolent and evangelistic missions on a local, regional, national, and international level.

Click Here for Our Missions at a Glance

Local Missions
We financially support a variety of services for those in need, including the Grand Avenue Free Medical Clinic (Spencer), Food for Life, MavPacks (backpack food program for Clay Central/Everly schools), and Upper Des Moines Opportunity. Our women's group also actively supports St. Luke Lutheran Home with their presence and their contributions. Money is also set aside to be used for local individuals who request assistance, at the discretion of the pastor.

Regional Missions
We are pleased to support the longstanding ministries of Ingham Okoboji Lutheran Bible Camp and Lakeside Lutheran Camp. Lutheran Services in Iowa is also a regular recipient of our funding.

National Missions
We actively support our association, Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ. The association strives to keep staffing and organization at a minimum so that congregations can focus their mission activity on projects that fit their gifts.

International Missions
Bethlehem has a share in the support of two global missions. Ethan Batschelet is engaged in children's ministry at Club de Niños- Iglesia Evangelica Santidad Roca Fuerte in Tegucigalpa Honduras. World Gospel Mission is the organization through whom we direct his support. Janne Anita is the director of the Siloam Girls' School in Tamil Nadu, South India. We support the work of the local Lutheran churches there to provide education and Christian training to girls who would otherwise have no means of rising out of poverty. Lutheran Partners in Global Ministry is the organization that enables us to participate in this project.

Flex Funds
These funds are budgeted for use in emergencies, at the discretion of our mission task force. Natural disasters or family emergencies generally fall in this category.