Mission, Vision, and Values
- Mission: To make disciples of Jesus Christ through biblical teaching, equipping believers, and sending the church into the world.
- Vision: A multigenerational, missions-mobilizing church where the Bible is central, community is deep, and the gospel reaches Fairbanks and beyond.
- Theological Conviction: Conservative, expository Bible preaching is the non-negotiable anchor of everything Bethel does — not as a formality, but as a genuine belief that the Word of God is what changes people.
- Missions DNA: Global engagement isn’t an afterthought — 17% of the church’s budget goes to missions, with 20 supported missionaries and deep relational ties to partners around the world.
- Apologetics Commitment: Bethel invests in helping its congregation think well, hosting annual conferences, and valuing intellectual rigor alongside spiritual depth.
Staff Culture
- Long tenured and relationally grounded: the senior pastor (23 years) and key associates (17+ years) create a team culture built on deep trust, not title or hierarchy.
- Casual and cooperative, not corporate: staff describe the environment as consensus-building, with Eric leading by trust and getting out of the way once someone is empowered for their role.
- Sports-loving, outdoors-oriented, and real: this team doesn’t take themselves too seriously and has a genuine love for the world-class outdoor life Alaska provides.
- A rebuilding season, done well: current new hires are viewed as the team that will write the next chapter, and that’s an honor, not a burden.
- Prior staff have left with deep grief: multiple departures have been described as leaving a “dream job,” which speaks to the kind of culture people don’t want to walk away from.
Key Responsibilities
Shepherding
- Participate in the full duties of the pastoral staff, including preaching, counseling, weddings, and funerals.
- Serve as an elder in all capacities as detailed in the church bylaws.
Leading the Worship Ministry
- Collaborate with other leaders to carry out the overall vision for corporate worship at Bethel.
- Plan the weekly service — selecting songs, arrangements, and ordering of the service.
- Recruit, train, organize, and shepherd the worship team and volunteers.
- Oversee all areas of production (audio, lighting, service management) to facilitate an experience of worship.
- Lead worship for special events including Good Friday, Easter, and Christmas Eve.
Overseeing the Connections Ministry
- Work with the Welcome Coordinator to ensure guests are warmly welcomed and helped in finding a seat and navigating the church.
- Oversee the connections strategy — helping people move from attending to belonging.
- Help create and sustain a warm, welcoming atmosphere on Sunday mornings.
Administration
- Manage selected church budget line items jointly agreed upon with the Business Board.
Key Qualifications
- Demonstrates a personal relationship with Jesus Christ through worship, prayer, Bible reading, application of the Word, and active evangelism.
- Meets the qualifications of 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1; models Christ-likeness in marriage and personal relationships.
- Agrees with and upholds the church’s full doctrinal statement.
- Holds a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited Bible college or equivalent proven ministry experience.
- Demonstrates musical skill and theological discernment in worship selection and leadership.
- Has a proven track record in ministry and the ability to shepherd a large congregation.
- Able to shepherd people from the platform during corporate worship — not just perform.
- Demonstrates excellent verbal communication skills and a proven ability to build and maintain positive, loyal relationships inside and outside the church.