Bethel Series Graduates Talk About Their Experience

The following video is from First Presbyterian Church in Waunakee, WI.  This should give you an idea of how life-changing the Bethel Series has been for everyone who has completed the Bethel Series Intensive Course. 

I will let the video speak for itself.

The Bethel Series “Mission to Kisumu” January 14 – 18, 2019, Kisumu, Kenya

The Bethel Series “Mission to Kisumu” will train 125 Kenyan pastors - A mission team of seven Bethel Series trained teachers and support personnel will travel to Kisumu Kenya, 

in January to teach the Bethel Series New Testament lessons to 125 Kenyan pastors who took the Old Testament training in January 2018.  This will complete their Bethel Series training.

These Kenyan pastors have a strong faith and are bold in their proclamation, but they lack formal religious training.  The picture-based Bethel Series is an ideal way for them to understand the Bible as the continuous story of God’s redemptive acts throughout history.  Once they see the Bible through the lens of the Bethel Series, they become more effective pastors, and they can spread the Good News to untold, unreached people.

This model of training pastors in the developing world has been successfully used for many years, most recently in Bogota, Colombia, in September and Nairobi, Kenya, in April.  Members of the Kisumu teaching team have taught pastors using this format in Haiti, Colombia, Honduras, Indonesia and Kenya.

At the end of the one-week intensive teaching sessions, the pastors are overwhelmed with excitement at their newfound understanding. They cannot wait to return to their congregations and use what they have learned.  These pastors are like the “good soil” of Matthew 13:8. God will use them to bring forth a harvest well beyond what we can ever imagine.

For $94, we can train a Kenyan pastor in the Bethel Series New Testament - The cost to train each Kenyan pastor over the five-day, twenty-lesson training is low by our standards, but the benefit is astonishing.  

A significant reason for the low cost is the careful stewardship of expenses (i.e., airfare to Nairobi is paid by the all-volunteer teachers and support personnel).

Mission to Kisumu

     January 14 - 18, 2019

Budget based on: 7 people going on mission                         

                                                      125 pastors in attendance     

                                                               

                                                                                          Per person                Total

Airfare to Nairobi paid by people on mission                      Paid                    Paid

Food                                                                                          $120                   $840

Lodging                                                                                     $440                $3,080

Airport entrance tax                                                                  $50                   $350

Translators                                                                                                           $300

Food for pastors in attendance                                                                        $1,875

Local printing for Bethel Series books                                                            $1,750

Transportation Nairobi-Kisumu-Nairobi                                                        $1,200

Gifts to local workers                                                                                           $250

Graduation gifts to pastors in attendance                                                          $313

Overhead and Miscellaneous Expenses                                                           $1,762

  

Total Expenses                                                                                                   $11,720

Cost to train one Kenyan pastor                                                                            $94

Why not provide a $94 scholarship for a Kenyan pastor to attend this training? - We pray that you will join us in this “Mission to Kisumu” and provide a scholarship for $94 for one or as many Kenyan pastors as is appropriate for you or your church.  You will receive updates, pictures and videos throughout the trip.  After the trip, you will receive a video that can be shown to your congregation to give them an idea of all the good that their scholarship has provided.  By providing a scholarship, you will be joining us in our mission to help bring biblical literacy “to the ends of the earth.”

Please send your scholarship funds made out to The Bethel Series with “Kisumu” written on the check to:

The Bethel Series
312 Wisconsin Avenue
Madison, WI 53703   

Down and Up the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem

Using Mark 15:15-25 as my text, I preached this sermon at Bethel Lutheran Church in Madison, WI, on August 19, 2019 on my journey down and then up the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem. 

The Via Dolorosa is the street venerated as the street Jesus walked up the hill to Golgotha where he was crucified.

My wife and I will be leading the 3rd Annual Bethel Series Pilgrimage to the Holy Land on January 14-24, 2020. 

For more information go to: www.bethelseries.org/pilgrimage or contact me directly at Jeff@BethelSeries.org or by telephone to 608-579-5700. 

Space is limited to 25 people and we are filling up.

Soli Deo gloria!

Manna Academy School visit on January 8, 2018

During our Mission to Kisumu Kenya to teach the Bethel Series Old Testament lessons to 126 Kenyan pastors, we visited Manna Academy School.  It was wonderful to see the children and to meet their incredibly dedicated teachers and their principal, Mr. Joseph. 

I made the video nearby to give the children in my grandson, Jeffrey's class an idea of what school is like in Kenya.  As I was making the video, I realized that perhaps seeing the children would inspire some people to pray for Manna Academy and inspire others to donate to this very worthy cause.

I close with a picture of a couple of my new pals from Manna Academy.

Soli Deo gloria!

The 2nd Annual Bethel Series Pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 2 1/2 minutes

You can hear about the 2nd Annual Bethel Series Pilgrimage to the Holy Land, February 22 - March 3, 2019, in the video above.

It will be an amazing, Spirit-filled experience!

Pilgrims on our 2018 trip were universal in their praise of the trip. You can read what they have to say by clicking here.

The trip is limited to 25 pilgrims and the cost, based on double-occupancy, including airfare from Chicago or New York, all breakfasts and dinners, sightseeing tickets, etcetera, is $3,590 per person.

You can download the 2019 Pilgrimage brochure here or contact Jeff Quinto at Jeff@BethelSeries.org or at 608-849-9220.

2^nd Annual Bethel Series Pilgrimage to the Holy Land February 22 – March 3, 2019

Join Reverend Jeff Quinto, Bethel Series Executive Director, and his wife Toni on ten life-changing days in the Holy Land, February 22 – March 3, 2019, on the 2^nd Annual Bethel Series Pilgrimage to the Holy

Toni and Jeff drinking from Jacob's Well where
Jesus met the Samaritan woman

Land.

Toni on Jack the Camel at the Mount of Temptation

You will visit:

·         Bethlehem

·         Jerusalem

·         Jericho

·         Nazareth

·         Sea of Galilee

You will walk where Jesus walked. 

You will swim in the Dead Sea.

You will dance on a fishing boat on the Sea of Galilee.

You will pray at the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed for God to “let this cup pass from me, . . . .”

Twenty-five faith-filled believers like you will see the Scriptures and their Bethel Series lessons come alive. Download brochure here.

You will see the valley in the Judean Wilderness between Jerusalem and Jericho. It was known

Toni and Jeff with "the Valley of the
Shadow of Death" behind them

from ancient times as the “valley of the shadow of death” because pilgrims who walked through it would often be set upon by robbers who waited hidden in the caves along the route.  Because the valley was so deep and the mountainside so steep, it is dark most of the day. When you see this for the first time, you will understand in a fuller and more emotional way what Psalm 23 means when it speaks of the “valley of the shadow of death.”

You will not be the same after you have seen any of it.

This will be the trip of a lifetime!

Read what people on this year’s trip had to say by clicking here.

The cost of the trip, inclusive of airfare from either New York or Chicago, is $3,590 based on double occupancy.  Breakfast and dinner each day in the Holy Land are included.

 

As this is a limited opportunity at an excellent price, we expect to fill the twenty-five spots quickly. If you are interested in joining us, download our brochure here or send an email to Jeff@BethelSeries.org or call the Bethel Series office at 800-462-2335 and a brochure will be sent to you.

View of the desert from atop Masada

If you were to tell someone about the Bethel Series Holy Land Pilgrimage, what would you say?

Go! 
2/28/2018 9:43 AM 

You need to go with a group. People on the Bethel trip were wonderfully interactive and friendly. No one was isolated from the group. Price is reasonable given the number of days and meals provided. With our own bus, we could basically be very creative in our planning and timing of visits. Jeff and Faraj were wonderful leaders. 
2/26/2018 2:31 PM 

 A wonderful tour that gives a very complete review of the Holy Land and the significance of its history 
2/10/2018 6:02 AM 

It was well organized, very spiritual and meaningful. 
2/9/2018 6:27 PM

Sign up and prepare to be inspired both emotionally and spiritually!
2/9/2018 5:29 PM 

 Take the trip at your first opportunity. 
2/9/2018 11:40 AM 

 I would tell them about the reading of the scripture at every stop and how it was very meaningful. The landscape in the north of Israel surprised me, though it would all be mountains and rocks. I am surprised God would choose that land --the terrain is really rough. I would tell them about the Tent of All Nations, which was a real eye-opener for what the Palestinians need to do to keep their land and to survive. I would tell them about Jacob's well and drinking the water from it. I would tell them about the boat ride and visiting the places where Jesus performed miracles. 
2/9/2018 10:33 AM 

So far, I'm speechless! But I can say that what we saw, and did, and learned was beyond anything I could've conjured up in my mind and I will highly recommend it to anyone with a desire to travel there! What an experience! Thank you! 
2/9/2018 9:40 AM 

That it was a real blessing for me and also a surprise. The blessing in walking the walk of Jesus, and the surprise in the denseness of the cities, the height of the hills, the stony ground - but the beauty of the area. Thoroughly enlightening! 
2/8/2018 5:34 PM 

Don’t miss this opportunity. You will be amazed by what you see and even more so by how the Holy Spirit touches your heart as you walk the steps where Jesus walked. 
2/8/2018 5:18 PM 

It is such a wonderful experience to walk in the Holy Land and experience the places where Jesus lived out His life. It makes the Bible come to life. You can picture it in your mind. 
2/8/2018 5:00 PM 

Go.... it is the trip of a lifetime. Cultures so varied politics are confusing but the people are wonderful. Truly God's land
2/8/2018 3:40 PM 

It is an amazing experience that provides a much deeper connection to God's Word and the people of Israel. My heart leaps when I read or hear Bible stories that reference places we visited because I have a better understanding of the context and the setting. I have a stronger interest in the news of what is happening in Israel and I pray for peace and God's will to be done. Overall, this pilgrimage is a very special and impactful opportunity that I highly recommend.
4/9/2019 2:15 PM

Awesome trip! Jeff and Toni were the best! I loved his preaching. Gifted! Toni kept us on the move and watched out for us. Cherished memories and friendships.
3/30/2019 9:14 AM

I would recommend you try to keep the size of the group to ours. 20 to 25 I think is ideal.
3/29/2019 4:09 PM

It’s a spiritual, historical trip. Be in shape. Enjoy walking with Jesus. Jeff and Toni were the best. Loved his preaching...Gifted. Toni kept us going and watched out for us. Always smiling and fun. Cherished memories and friends
3/30/2019 9:14 AM

I would recommend it. Jeff and Toni were excellent hosts. Bible readings and devotionals contributed to the deeply moving experience.
3/29/2019 7:29 PM

This trip will bring the gospels home to you. It will give you invaluable context.
3/29/2019 6:55 PM

The trip gave me the visibility I wanted both spiritually and insights into the geography and culture in Israel and the West Bank.
3/29/2019 4:09 PM

Fantastic experience! Good Shepherd Tours took care of it all... Great tour guide (Faraj ) and spiritual director, Jeff Quinto.
3/29/2019 11:22 AM

If you have a chance to go to the Holy Land with Jeff and Toni, just do it! They are knowledgeable, spiritual and a lot of fun. Thanks!
3/29/2019 11:03 AM

Outstanding
3/29/2019 10:49 AM

If you have any inclination or desire it is an experience not to be missed.
3/29/2019 10:30 AM

These are the comments from pilgrims on the 2018 and 2019 Bethel Series Holy Land Pilgrimages in answer to the question, “If you were to tell someone about the trip what would you say?” 

The comments speak for themselves.

The Bethel Series Holy Land Pilgrimage for 2020 will be January 14-24, 2020. 

If you are interested in being one of the 25 people on next year’s pilgrimage, please contact Jeff@BethelSeries.org or call the Bethel series office at 608-579-5700.

Worship at Bethel Church - Kisumu, Kenya

There are many things that we can learn from our brothers and sisters in Kisumu, Kenya.  One of the most important things we can learn is to be uninhibited in expressing our joy in worshipping together,

You can see from the short video that Toni Quinto took during worship that everyone in the Bethel Church in Kisumu, Kenya was excited to be there, young and old alike.  Our Bethel Series/Manna Ministries Mission to Kisumu Team got into it! No frozen chosen here!

Speaking of young and old, here is a picture of the kids after the service.  The old guy in the back is me.

Soli Deo gloria!

The most wonderful day!

Yesterday was the most wonderful day!

Our day began at the River Jordan at the place where we celebrate the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. Here is a picture of Toni and I remembering our baptism.

In the background across the Jordan River you can see St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church.  It is in Jordan, and we are in the Palestine.  The buoys in middle of the Jordan River form the boundary between Jordan and Israeli-occupied Palestine.  

We ended the day at Wadi Qelt on the trail between Jericho and Jerusalem.  It is better known as "The Valley of the Shadow of Death." 

You can see a deep valley behind us. The valley is riddled with caves where robbers would hide waiting for travelers. Ancient hearers of the Scriptures would have pictured this place when they heard the words of the 23rd Psalm, "Yes, thou I walk through the shadow of death, I will fear no evil."  When Jesus tells the parable of the Good Samaritan on the road between Jerusalem and Jericho, this is the image that ancient hearers would have had of the place where the man was robbed and beaten.

Overlooking the valley on the hillside is the Monastery of Saint George of Choziba which dates to the fifth century AD where it is believed that Elijah was fed by ravens (1 Kings 17:5-6).

In between these two remarkable places, we visited Masada where 960 Jewish patriots committed suicide rather than live as Roman slaves in 73 AD,  and Qumran where the Dead Sea scrolls were first discovered in 1946.

This has been an amazing Spirit-filled trip with a wonderful group of twenty-one pilgrims!

Soli Deo gloria!

The picture nearby was taken exactly one year ago today, January 25, 2017.  It was during our first trip to the Holy Land. 

We are going back to Israel on Monday with a wonderful group of 19 pilgrims on our 2018 Bethel Series Pilgrimage to the Holy Land.  Our going back to the places where Jesus walked and taught and prayed demonstrates yet again that God "is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine." To be back in the Holy Land one year later is a dream come true!

I am reminded of the Russian pilgrim who said, "By the grace of God I am a Christian, by my actions a great sinner, and by calling a homeless wanderer of the humblest birth who roams from place to place." (The Way of the Pilgrim).

We have just completed a wonderful, Spirit-filled week teaching the Bethel Series Old Testament to 126 Kenyan pastors at Manna Ministries in Kisumu, Kenya. 

Without the prayers and financial support of so many people, we could not have done it. Thank you.

You can get a sense of the week by watching a very good, four-minute video created by team-member David Newton.

Soli Deo gloria!

When I went to the hotel restaurant to get coffee this morning, our last day in Kenya, I overhead the leader of another mission group ask if what he was doing through his ministry was actually doing any good in this beautiful and challenging country. 

I am not confused.

The work that God has done at Manna Ministries Kenya this week has been transformative for many, including those of us on the Bethel Series mission team from the US.  It has become clearer than ever to me that an understanding of God’s Word in Scripture is of first order of importance. 

As Isaiah tells us, “The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will endure forever” (Isaiah 40:8).

It is this life-giving Good News proclaimed in Scripture that brings confidence, peace and joy. I believe this is the reason that so many of the believers we met were calm and happy.  To us, they seem to have little, but their steadfast faith in Jesus Christ is worth more than anything.

It also has become even more clear that the Bethel Series with its picture-based lessons transcends language and culture.  It is unique in its ability to show the arc of Scripture so that the Bible comes alive with the revelation that the God of the Old Testament is the same God in the New Testament.

I will add much more about our trip in the days to come, but I begin with this observation because, for me, the value of understanding God’s Word in Scripture is clearly so important that all things, even good things, are a derivative of it.

Soli Deo gloria!