Bethel Day 2013

October is always a fun month for Bethel Apostolic Academy, Bethel Kiddie Korral, and First Pentecostal Church. Children, parents, and their families come together to enjoy a day filled with fun, food, games and festivities. Each year, Bethel Academy selects a theme and centers the entire day around that theme -and the kids love to dress accordingly. This year the theme was Western. 

Two cool cowboys!

The teachers put much creative thought and talent into each booth set up for the event. The booths activities ranged from the Pumkin Pantry to the OK Korral Hayrides to the Face painting. Yes, face painting! And some pretty talented face painters, too. They managed to persuade Bro. Mark McAlister to get his face painted. Can you guess what they painted on his face?

That's right! Keys and music notes. Man, that guy has some talent on the keys! And he credits God for his talent.

Mac

 The main attraction, however, was the County Jail. It is so much fun throwing somebody in jail...just because you want to.

Sheriff Shannon Bowdrie Pettis and Prisoners

You may ask, "How could the jail be the main attraction?". Well, I'm glad you asked. If you are daring enough and have a bank bag full of money, you can pay the Sheriff to lock up a prisoner of your choice. The more money you pay the Sheriff, the longer the time the prisoner must serve. 

Here's what happens to every prisoner. Once put in jail, you ponder "How did I get here? Who is that rotten, good for nothing, quote-on-quote friend of mine who is laughing at me while I'm stuffed in this over crowded jail?". (I am not over-exaggerating; this happens.) 

Once you get out of jail, the investigation begins....then...you finally find out exactly who paid to put you in jail. And.....instead of turn your cheek, like the good book says, you pay to put them in jail....for double the time. Therefore, the compounding effect of this circle of vengeance makes the jail the main attraction of Bethel Day (of course....all in good fun and for a great cause). Unless you decide to factor in the food booths. Hands down, the food at Bethel Day is fattening! Which means, it is delicious. 

Believe it or not, somebody payed money to lock up our very own Pastor and his wife.

Yes, Sheriff Shannon is enjoying that corn-on-the-cob!

Pastor Bradford doesn't look very happy to be in jail. He's a pastor through and through, though. He turned his cheek and didn't investigate who threw him in jail. I guess that makes me a pretty lucky person...shhhh don't tell him it was me!

November of 2013 marked the 70th anniversary for Greater Bakersfield First Pentecostal Church, Bishop Leon Frost's 30th pastoral anniversary, and Pastor Kevin Bradford's 3rd pastoral anniversary. We are humbled to be able to celebrate this heritage and we give God all the glory. For the 70th Anniversary Homecoming, it was an honor to have many join the celebration whose roots lead back to Bakersfield, California under Rev. I.H. Terry's and Bishop Frost's pastorate.

Pictures from the 70th Anniversary

Bishop & Sis. Frost

Pastor & Sis. Bradford

Eldon & Sis. Eckles

Dallas & Sis. Mefford

Pastor Bradford Honored by GBFPC

At the 70th Anniversary, the church honored both Pastor Bradford and Bishop Frost for their dedication, commitment, and love for the people of GBFPC and the city of Bakersfield. The below picture was presented to Bishop Frost & Pastor Bradford on a canvas to commemorate their recent trip to Israel, and specifically, to the Garden of Gethsemane. The picture also identifies Pastor Bradford teaching while Bishop Frost is resting on a rock, overseeing the teaching.

The Garden of Gethsemane

Bishop Frost Honored by GBFPC

Bob Dansby, Steve Allard, Johnny King, & Bishop Frost

Ronnie Lawrence & Ray Brown

Pastor Bradford, Johnny King, & Eldon Eckles

Steve Allard

Pastor & Sis. Bradford, Johnny King, & Bishop Frost

Chris & Sis. Hodge

Frank Cabrera

Frank Cabrera Family

Shelly Bradley & Sharamy Bradford

Dallas Mefford

Eldon Eckles

Bob Dansby

GBFPC Mass Choir

Evie Cox

Jim Shockley

Terry Arnold Condren

The "Girls" Trio
Martha Webb, Terry Davis, & Cathy Dansby

Steve & Brad Allard

Greater Bakersfield First Pentecostal Church (GBFPC) & Bethel Apostolic Academy are hosting a MAJOR fundraiser/community event for families in the community to celebrate God & Country. Join us for an afternoon filled with fun, games, food, and a special God & Country presentation! Come dressed in your best colonial or patriotic outfit and be entered to win $$ or prizes. The event will include snow cones, ice cream, hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, water parks, horse rides, hay rides, live music, and games for all ages!

The God & Country presentation is featuring one of Bakersfield's city councilmen, Russell Johnson, and a tribute to our fallen soldiers. A delicious Tri-Tip Dinner is being prepared with all the trimmings, a drink, and unlimited bottled water for $10. For Children, the $10 dinner includes a free wristband for games (Wristband also sold separately for $5). The event will be on July 4, 2013 @ 3pm at Greater Bakersfield First Pentecostal Church grounds, which is located at 1418 W. Columbus (on the corner of Chester and Columbus) next to Jack in the Box and across from Food Maxx. Click here for directions. We hope to Celebrate God & Country with you on one of the greatest days of the year! God Bless!

Greater Bakersfield First Pentecostal Church invites you to attend the celebration of its 70th year anniversary! The church has a rich heritage dating back to March 5th of 1943, when Rev. I.H. Terry and his wife arrived in Bakersfield to begin a work in the Kingdom of God. Today, the fruits of his labor are evident and the heritage continues through the leadership of Bishop Leon Frost and Pastor Kevin Bradford. The anniversary services will be October 17th - 20th, and we hope to see you there! Click here for directions.

Today, YPOWT is kicking off the launch of the T-ROCKETs on official youth evangelism/outreach!  T-ROCKET stands for Truth Rocket. The youth of GBFPC, Jordan Johnson (our youth outreach liaison), members of the YPOWT Youth Committee, and our Youth Pastor Jeremy Brock begin a mission to reach young people, who have a hungry heart to know God and to learn about the powerful message of truth! We will meet every Saturday @ 9:30am at the church and launch out on the T-ROCKETs for a time of fun and evangelism. 

Have you been to a REVIVE service yet?



Join us for REVIVE. "The grass is greener where you water it the most!" - Rev. Cody Marks 



 Greater Bakersfield First Pentecostal Church cordially invites you to attend a REVIVE service. God is doing great things in the city of Bakersfield and in the Kingdom of God globally. We would love to have you join us to be a part of it. Come expecting a mighty move of God! We are located on the corner of Chester and W. Columbus: 1418 W. Columbus Bakersfield, CA 93301. If you need transportation, call 661-496-4195. We hope to see you there!

High Praises Music Conference 2012

Some Classes and Activities being offered: 

Stop the Music: Biblical requirements for the music ministry team. When music in a church is performed for the wrong reasons or by the wrong people, it ceases to edify God. when this happens, adjustments have to be made to ensure the music in a service is spiritually edifying. In this seminar we will look at the biblical principles of when to stop the music and necessary adjustments to make. 

Working with difficult People: this seminar will address the issue of dealing with, working with, and confronting difficult people while fulfilling your Christian and ministerial role in the local church. 

Retro Music/ Name that Tune: Great songs of days gone by will be reintroduced in this workshop along with ideas on how to freshen them up. Sheet music and recordings will be available for purchase. 

Have you Hear? Worship Choruses: If it is a chorus you do not know, it is a NEW chorus. As many choruses that can be presented in the allotted time will be presented by Dedie Cooley. Chord charts will be given. 

Altar and Background Music Principles: This seminar will discuss the issues of sensitivity and demonstrate the proper flow of music in this critical portion of the service. A "how-to" on the do's and don'ts of altar and background music. 

Creative Ideas for the Music Minister: This class will have multiple instructors giving helpful ideas such as a new technology, book suggestions, fundraiser ideas, successful event planning, and solutions to departmental problems. 

How to Write out Choral Parts: A quick and easy way to write out choir parts from written music. 

Other classes being offered are as follows: 

The art of Worship Leading

The Spiritual Aspect of the Entire Music Department

Chord Progressions

A Music Question & Answer Panel

Sound Basics & Church Media

Winter Youth Camp 2012

2012.

Wow, its amazing that we're here already!

WYC 2012 was a thrilling success, and many of our youth found a mountaintop experience with God.

As you can see, the chapel went up in spiritual flames through the power-packed preaching of Brother Brandon Wilmoth. He taught on Sins Cyclical Seasons the first night, and my what a powerful move of the Holy Ghost filled that place. 

He gave us something to hold onto, a red streamer that is. He told us that his mother had many tough times in her teens trying to make it to church without parents who supported her. Oftentimes all she could do was hold onto this red streamer that was given to her at a camp just like this. 

Each of us took one of these streamers. And began to thank
Jesus for the blood that he shed on Calvary.
The response was amazing!

Father Abraham had many sons.
And many sons had Father Abraham. 

Every year, it is great to see how the young people respond to the Word of God. And the response was phenomenal.

The services were all very impacting. Brother Wilmoth did an excellent job following the anointing and preaching his heart out to these great young people.

SO... What Else Happens at WYC Behind the Scenes? 

Huhh uh Huhh... Whew outta breath!

But...we made it to the our prized destination.

On our way back home.

Whoops watch your step.

The air was so fresh and clean. 

The Hike is definitely one of the prized activities at WYC.

Then came time for Basketball!

Bro Wilmoth blocking the shot. 

He's still got it!

Watch out for this guy!

Bryson Rodriguez steals the game with this classic block. 

Symmetric and everything.

Nick: "Its so bright out here. Should've brought my sunglasses."

Barak: What's wrong Skyler?

Skyler: "Oh nothing. Just sooo wish I was playing right now."

Kevin: "Me too. Meee too..."

Nothing like watching the game from an elevated platform!

And all the other good stuff:

FISHING

Our Youth Pastor Jeremy Brock. 

I so wish I could have had some of that trout.

Mmm. Haha.

PING PONG

Peyton. Waiting for the serve.

UPSET THE FRUIT BASKET

The Classic game of the WYC.

Don't slip now.

THE BOND FIRE

In a fire place.

FUSE BALL 

It was fuse ball with a slight twist. 

A mouse had made its home inside the goalposts. 

So.. while we were playing fuse ball, the mouse was playing dodgeball. 

A LITTLE MUSIC

Where would we be without these guys?

Not all of our fabulous musicians are pictured here, but they are great. 

All of them.

          Well folks. That was your snapshot on WYC 2012. It was a great mountaintop experience, that no young person should miss! A great big thanks to all the volunteers of the kitchen: Sister Karen Newton, and a new couple making their debut as regulars Brother and Sister Kiffer Black. Also in the kitchen were Brother and Sister Grogan, Sister Garza, and all those that volunteered as servers. Also a big thanks to our youth leaders Brother and Sister Brock. They put hours into making this camp extra special for the young people. Thank you! And to all the musicians, singers, and Brother Chad Bradley for all the sound-tech details. We certainly have a blessed youth group!

         

If you missed this year, join us next year for a power-packed and anointed time on the mountain. 

Until then:

SAYONARA.