Our Mission and Values
Why We’re Here - Our Mission
In a city experiencing an influx of mass migration, offering people a true vision of what “home” means is of greatest importance. For two thousand years Christians have recognized that whether you live across the world, or down the street from your first address, our “Home” is Christ Himself (John 15:4-5) and He is now present in this world through His Body, the Church (Ephesians 1:22-23). Only “in Him” can every tribe, tongue, and nation find true unity of fellowship and purpose (Revelation 7:9-10).
This is why Bethany International Church exists to “make our home” (abide) in Christ so that we can be a home for the world.
What We Do - Our Values
Hospitality
Bethany was the closest Christ had to an earthly home during His bodily ministry on earth (Mt. 21; Mk. 11; Lk. 19). In response, we want to open our homes and share what God has given us to our neighbors.
Discipleship
In Bethany, disciples listened and learned in humility (Luke 10:38-42). Thus, we will seek to be disciples who learn the humility of our Savior.
Restoration
Bethany is where Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead and where He proclaimed Himself to be the Resurrection and the Life (John 11). We will seek to be a place where people expect God to “restore what the locust has eaten” (Joel 2) from their past.
Mercy/Hardship
Bethany is where Mary anointed Jesus with the costliest perfume shortly before His crucifixion and burial (John 12). We will seek to be a people who enter into costly relationships of hardship and suffering with others.
Dependent Prayer
Bethany is the place where Jesus departed and ascended back to the Father after His resurrection (Luke 24). We will seek to be a people who live in prayerful dependence on a living and ruling Savior who promises to never forsake us while we await His return.
Who We Are—What We Believe
Bethany International Church believes that the Bible is the final authority in all things we believe and practice. But, the Bible has to be interpreted. We believe the best summary of interpretation of Scripture is expressed in the teachings of the Westminster Standards, including the Confession and Catechisms.
We also believe that no Christian (or pastor!) is their own authority. The Scriptures teach that God chooses to mediate His authority in our lives through imperfect people (that is, people who will make mistakes even when doing their best and who are also in need of correction from time to time, too). For us, that means belonging to a larger body of associated churches in a European denomination called the International Presbyterian Church.
Who We Are
John and Ellen Buerger have been serving in ministry together for many years, first in the United States and later in Bulgaria with Mission to the World (MTW), where John was involved in theological education and church renewal.In January 2023, the Buergers moved to the Lisbon area with a vision to plant an international church. That vision became Bethany International Church of Greater Lisbon, a growing community of people from different countries and backgrounds united by their faith in Christ.John serves as Bethany’s pastor, while Ellen is closely involved in the life and ministry of the church, specifically in areas of women's ministry and Bethany's special needs ministry, Club "Alegria" (Joy). Aubrie is in the middle of her "gap" year after finishing high school, planning to start university in the United States in 2027. Emily has Down Syndrome and is so well loved at her local, public elementary school. Together, the Buergers are grateful to call Lisbon home and to be part of what God is building through Bethany.We'd love for you to come and meet them.
The George family are from Australia! They are back in Portugal for a second time after having served previously in the Lisbon and Coimbra areas from 2004-2016, focusing on Bible college ministry, university student ministry, and church planting. Matt and Louise were well settled in Australia, where Matt served in missions' leadership and Louise as a high school language teacher. But they felt convicted again by the huge need in Portugal for more Bible-believing churches and accessible, quality theological education. Matt now serves Bethany in the areas of teaching, preaching, and helping to run the Pre-Theological Certification program in connection with Moore Theological College--a ministry aimed at bringing Christian education to lay people. Louise serves in Club "Alegria" and in our younger children's "Worship Training" ministry during Sunday morning services.The Georges enjoy the outdoors and cafe culture with family and friends. Their daughter Annie is finishing her high school in a boarding school in Germany while Calvin, their son, is at a local Christian school (Sintra International Christian Academy) where Louise also serves. Calvin is adopted and has some special needs, which fits with the passion they have for reaching families who have special needs.