Real Relationships — We were made for community
We pursue authentic relationships with God and others because it’s what Jesus modeled and where life truly flourishes.
When Jennifer Jones moved to the Tri-Cities, she wasn’t just looking for a church.
She was looking for a place where she could belong, and where the kids who might pass through her home could belong too.
“I was getting certified to do respite care and give breaks to foster families,” she said. “So I was looking for a church that not only taught the Word of God and was a place where I could worship, but also somewhere I could invite random kids in who might be in my home.”
She landed at Bethel and started attending. Not long after, in December 2019, she said yes to fostering two boys…just before the world shut down.
What followed was a season full of unknowns.
When church feels big and life feels bigger
As things slowly reopened, Jennifer began serving on the Connections Team with the boys, holding doors, greeting people, and helping them feel welcome. But behind the scenes, life was heavy.
“Near the end of 2020, I was feeling really alone,” she said. “And I knew I needed relationships, not just to feel supported, but to deepen my relationship with God.”
That’s when she saw an opportunity to join Rooted. She didn’t feel like she had the time or the capacity, but she knew she needed it.
“It was actually the first thing I did for myself after saying yes to the boys.”
From a sea of faces to being known by name
Rooted changed everything.
“It was incredibly encouraging and renewing,” Jennifer said. “I felt like I was being filled spiritually in a way that was so much more than just attending on a Sunday morning.”
But it wasn’t only about spiritual growth. It was about people.
“Bethel can feel big,” she said. “But when you walk in and it’s not just a sea of friendly faces, but specific people who know your name, that changes everything.”
Those relationships didn’t just impact her. They impacted the boys too.
“People would come up and high-five them, say hi to them by name. They felt seen. They felt loved. It made church feel smaller. For all of us.”
Being carried through the unknown
Foster care comes with constant uncertainty.
“You don’t know if they’re going to stay. You don’t know where they’ll go. It’s a roller coaster.”
But Jennifer wasn’t walking it alone.
“That group was praying for me, pointing me back to Jesus. When my mind was racing and I was believing lies, they helped keep me grounded.”
Real relationships didn’t remove the difficulty, but they changed how she walked through it.
Stepping into something she didn’t feel ready for
After about a year, her Rooted group multiplied. And suddenly, Jennifer found herself in a spot she didn’t expect.
“We needed a leader,” she said. “And I didn’t feel like that was my role. I didn’t feel capable.”
She had led before, but not like this. A multi-generational group, with men and women together? Not in this season. But she felt a nudge.
“You still need to be in small group.”
So she reluctantly said yes. What she discovered changed her understanding of leadership.
“It didn’t mean I had to be the oldest, the wisest, or the most biblically literate. It was just a willingness to say yes and trust that God would lead.”
Doing life together
Today, Jennifer’s group looks like what Real Relationships were always meant to be. They open Scripture together, pray for each other, and talk through real life. But they also just…live life.
“We start by hanging out and eating food. People ask the boys how their week was. People even show up to their games.”
Even on the hardest weeks, when everyone is tired or stretched thin, they still show up.
“And every time, I leave thinking, ‘I’m so glad I went.’”
A place where everyone belongs
One of the things Jennifer loves most about her group is who’s in it.
“There are people ahead of me in life. People walking right alongside me. People who are new to faith and asking questions. And people who’ve followed Jesus for a long time.”
There isn’t one type of person. And that’s the point.
“It’s a place where people can just be themselves, ask questions, share honestly, and grow together.”
Take the step
For anyone unsure about stepping into community, Jennifer keeps it simple:
“Be brave and just do it.”
Because what she found wasn’t just a group. She found people who knew her. People who knew her boys. People who prayed, showed up, and walked alongside her.
She found Real Relationships. And through them, she experienced something even deeper. A life centered on Jesus, together.
Thank you for reading!
Each week, we’ll share a story from someone in our Bethel family. These written stories will explore their faith journey, how God has been at work in their life, and how it connects to one of our five values. Stay tuned for more stories.
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Week 1: The Journey
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Week 2: Real Relationships
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Week 3: Sacred Rhythms
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Week 4: Diverse Unity
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Week 5: Generous Lives
Learning to Slow Down and Sit in Scripture
For Ben Rutledge, it started with a desire to do more for God. A few years ago, after attending a retreat, something shifted for him. “I just had this strong sense of wanting to share the gospel,” he said. “I was like, ‘Okay, I need to become a pastor.’” So he did...
Different Starting Points, One Shared Faith
At Bethel, our values reflect who we are becoming as disciples centered on Jesus.
For Abraham Torres, faith was never the problem. He had always believed in God. But growing up, church never really connected. It took an invitation into an open setting with other people for him to realize he wasn’t alone in his questions. Through this diverse group, having weekly discussions, and centering themselves around Jesus, Abraham was able to understand the love of God in a whole new way.
When Following Jesus Doesn’t Get Easier
For Brent Hampson, that journey hasn’t looked the way he expected. His story is full of ups, downs, and unexpected directions. Brent’s story demonstrates how following Jesus isn’t about arriving. It’s about being formed. Slowly, daily, often in ways we wouldn’t choose, until our lives begin to reflect Him more and more.
