Aaron grew up in South Minneapolis, until moving to Minnetonka in 6th grade. He attended Gustavus Adolphus College, where in his sophomore year the Lord used a men’s Bible study to draw Aaron to Himself. After graduating from Gustavus in 1997 with an Elementary Education degree, Aaron went on to teach Bible and serve as Director of Spiritual Life at King’s Christian Academy in South Minneapolis.

Aaron started attending Bethlehem in 1998 (right at the beginning of Romans!), where he came to a clearer understanding of the gospel and developed an appreciation for sound doctrine. He attended Bethel Seminary from 2004 to 2006, and then moved to West Palm Beach, Florida, to teach Bible Doctrine and Apologetics at a Christian high school. In Fall 2010, Aaron was hired to serve in the ministries of Adult Ministries and Children's Discipleship at the South Campus.

Aaron is married to Jessica, and they have four daughters: Natalie, Meg, Kalia, and Paige.

Jon & Mary live in rural New Prague and started attending Bethlehem’s South Campus in October 2008. They became members in May 2009. Jon says, "Although I came to trust Christ as Savior at an early age, attending Bethlehem has helped me better understand God's sovereign work in all his creation. This has changed my worship of him and increased my desire to know and serve him."

Jon serves on the South Campus Building Committee. He has enjoyed helping to search for and evaluate potential sites for a new South Campus and looks forward to seeing how God will lead in this direction.

Jon also serves as an usher and is a small group leader for boys in grades 7–8. He has gone on several short term trips and has also led one. Mary frequently serves at the South Info Booth, and she plays piano for the choir and MOMS meetings. Jon & Mary have been married since 1985, and they have four adult children: Bryn, Ben, Lauren, and Carson.

Terry & Eileen have been involved at Bethlehem for more than 15 years and have been members since 1993. They have two married sons and six grandchildren who live in the Twin Cities. Terry owned a manufacturing company in Burnsville for 25 years and now works at Desiring God as Director of Finance & Planning. He and Eileen live in Bloomington. Terry became serious in his walk with the Lord through a small group Bible study about 35 years ago. He says, “My experience at Bethlehem has awakened me to truths about God that have transformed the way I enjoy worship, and they have given me a greater understanding of the wonderful unity of Scripture and the joy of involving God in every area of my life.”

First called to Bethlehem as an Associate for Pastoral Care, David's shepherding skills have often reflected his previous wealth of pastoral experiences at Olivet Baptist Church of Minneapolis and Our Savior's Baptist Church in Elkhorn, Nebraska.

David was born and raised in Denver. At age 10, he received Christ at Junior Boy's Week at Covenant Heights Bible Camp in the Rocky Mountains. After graduating from Bethel College (1968), Westminster Seminary (1971), and receiving his Doctor of Ministry from Bethel Seminary (1991), David has continued to pursue his calling to be a shepherd in the local church, serving as Pastor for Adult Ministries and Shepherd Groups for many years at Bethlehem.

In 2015 the congregation approved the elder recommendation that David become our Pastor for Global Outreach Member Care.

David & Karin have four daughters: Sarah (living in Asia with her husband, Eric, and their four children, Karsten David, Aubrey Louise, Simeon Livingston, and Demaris Marie), Anna (living in Colorado, with her husband, Dan, and children Moriah Joy and Emmett Asher), Krista (married to Steven Cox, living in North Carolina, with their daughter Elliana Nadine), and Lydia (living here in the Twin Cities with her husband, Sean Mailen).

The family served a one-year short term with SIM in Nigeria, in 1992–93. David & Karin celebrated their 25th anniversary in 2001 in Cochabamba, Bolivia, spreading a passion for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all West African and Bolivian peoples as well. And in 2009 they traveled to Africa, Britain, and Colorado on four months of sabbatical renewal and retooling for the "finishers' era" of their lives (see Acts 20:24)!

Phil Nelson grew up in the church as the son of a pastor. But during those years, his experience was religion rather than a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Later in life, Phil realized that the world’s pleasures were only temporary, and he began to seek deeper meaning in life.

Through the years, God drew Phil to himself and put Christian men in his life to disciple him. In 1998, God opened Phil's eyes and heart to see God for who he truly is, and Phil surrendered his life to him.

From there, Phil's spiritual growth continued through the encouragement of Christian men and seven years in Bible Study Fellowship (as a class member and leader). Phil and his wife Holly began attending Bethlehem in 2009 and became members in 2010. Through the teaching, training, and community at Bethlehem, and through personal quiet time, the Holy Spirit continues to grow Phil's faith and understanding of who God is. With this increased desire to surrender his life to God and his purposes, Phil's love for Jesus, desire to spend time with him, and passion to tell people about him also increases.

Phil teaches an adult Sunday School class and serves in the men’s ministry. He serves as a communion server, and as a greeter at Bethlehem's South Campus. He also has had the privilege of discipling four men in one-on-one relationships. Phil & Holly have been married for 35 years and have three married children and three grandchildren.

Pavel Nesvetaylov was born in April 1964, in the coal mining city of Gorlovka, East Ukraine, to a family of Evangelical Christian Baptists. In 1981, his family moved to the northern part of Caucusus, Russia, to be closer to relatives.

By God’s grace, Pavel received Jesus Christ as personal Savior in 1981 and was baptized in 1982 in a small Baptist church in the town of Nartkala. Since then he has experienced continued spiritual growth. Pavel was actively involved in the life of the local church in the town of Prokhladny, as a youth pastor and preacher. In March 1988, he married the love of his life, Vera Afanasyev. Pavel & Vera have five children: Olga, Mariya, Viktoriya, Jennifer, and Alena.

The Nesvetalov family immigrated to the USA from Russia in 1993 and have lived in Minnesota for more than 20 years. All this time Pavel & Vera were actively involved in the life of the local Russian Baptist churches in various locations, and Pavel’s roles were in preaching and being a worship leader. Pavel completed a course on systematic theology through the Southern Baptist Convention seminars, and has attended the TULIP seminar and various Desiring God conferences. 

Pavel & Vera came to Bethlehem in 2012 and have been thankful to God that churches like Bethlehem exist in the U.S. and Minnesota with explicit biblical teachings and strategy and vision for church leadership, as well as for Pastor John Piper’s ministry and books. Pavel shares, “It has really motivated me to grow spiritually in this new environment and I would be honored to share what I have learned from Bethlehem with my friends and brothers & sisters in Christ from the Russian speaking community. For the last two years, I went through intensive teaching about biblical eldership, the Bethlehem Elder Affirmation of Faith, and other documents of our church. Right now, I am serving at Bethlehem by leading a Sunday School class, translating the Sunday sermons, and Vera & I have small group at our house every other week. I also play the guitar at services. I frequently go to do a Bible study and speak personally with men at the Rehabilitation Center organized by one of the local Russian churches.”

Bruce and his wife, Karen, grew up in Rochester, New York, and met in high school. After graduating from college, they married in June 1979. The Lord had been drawing Bruce to himself for a couple of years prior to that and, shortly after marrying, Bruce committed his life to Jesus Christ. From early childhood, Bruce had a desire to be an airline pilot. In 1984, the Lord graciously allowed him to fulfill that desire when he was hired by Northwest Airlines which brought him and his family to Minnesota. Bruce has been actively involved in several types of ministry over the years, including one-on-one discipleship, small group leadership, and teaching Sunday School and Eldership. The Powers came to Bethlehem in 1998 and have rejoiced to see God moving through his people here ever since. They currently live in Eagan, and Bruce currently teaches an adult Sunday School class at the South Campus. Karen has been involved in youth ministry for many years. The Lord has blessed Bruce & Karen with two daughters, Sarah and Rebekah.

Raised in Iowa in a Christian home, Chuck accepted Christ at the age of 8. Music was his focus early on and he graduated from Wheaton College in 1982 with a B.A. in Music Education/Voice. He married Carol that same year. He later received a Master’s degree in Choral Conducting from St. Cloud State (1990). He was a Minister of Youth and Music in Iowa where he also taught Physical Education at a Catholic school for two years. God called the Steddoms to Monticello, Minnesota, in 1984 where Chuck served as Minister of Music and Christian Education at Riverside Alliance (formerly Monticello Alliance). In 1990, they were called to Prairie Bible Institute, where Chuck would teach and later chair the music department and then become the Associate Dean of the college.

Chuck’s authentic leadership flows out of his music-filled heart as he leads the South pastoral team, sings, teaches, pastors, and encourages us to be more and more open to the filling of the Spirit in heartfelt worship of God who alone is worthy of it. His desire is to win unbelievers, to strengthen, encourage, and fire the faith of believers, and to support the hands of those who serve through music and the Word. His wife, Carol, is the principal accompanist at Bethlehem’s South Campus. The Steddoms have four children: Daniel, Allison, Kiandra, and Alexander, who is now with the Lord.

Peter Thorpe grew up attending Bethlehem. Upon being made alive together with Christ through faith and repentance, he was baptized and became a member in 1994. In 2000, he joined a church revitalization effort in Richfield, Minnesota, where he joined the staff to give oversight to the operations of that church for more than 10 years. God called Peter and his family back to Bethlehem in 2014.

Since returning to Bethlehem, Peter has served as a small group leader and adult Sunday school teacher, and he has helped with the men's ministry at the South Campus.

Peter met his wife, Stacy, at Bethel University while discussing theology. They were married in 2002 and have three children: Lydia (2007), Abigail (2009), and Benjamin (2012). They live in Lakeville and enjoy the outdoors together—walks, parks, and sledding.

I was born in northern Michigan into a military family, and spent several years moving around the country before settling in Cincinnati at the age of six. I grew up in the Catholic church, although later in my childhood years we attended a Episcopalian church. Early in my preteen years, God saved my mother. At this time, my father, who had made a profession when he was younger, began to live more in accord with that profession. Together they realized that their children were apart from Christ, and they began to faithfully evangelize us. In the midst of these years, our family was going through very difficult circumstances, and (unbeknownst to me) God was using it to press me toward him. 

At age 15, God opened my eyes to the glories of Christ through the faithful witness of my parents and (specifically) the preaching ministry of an Australian youth pastor at a Christian music festival. About 10 months later, we started attending a independent Baptist church. I had heard the word of God preached at the Episcopalian church that we were a part of, but not in this fashion where the Word was preached weekly. Through this ministry, I grew in my new-found faith and began serving in several capacities. I also met a young 13-year-old girl who would later become my wife. 

While continuing to serve in that local church in Cincinnati in the early 2000s, I felt the keen desire and call to full-time ministry. This was confirmed by others in that ministry and elsewhere; this desire eventually led me to pursue theological education at Northland International University in northern Wisconsin. Between my junior and senior year of college, I married Natalie, whom I had met about a decade earlier, shortly after becoming a Christian.

After nearly staying in Wisconsin to lead a church we helped plant, we ended up moving back to Cincinnati and serving at the church where we had met. I served as a lay youth and college pastor while working for Natalie’s dad, and I saved money for future education. After about 16 months in Cincinnati, in August 2010, we moved to Minneapolis to pursue education. We’ve been here been ever since. I had the privilege to work under Kempton Turner with youth and their families at the Downtown Campus until the summer of 2014, when Natalie and I moved to South Campus to serve youth and their families there.

Daniel received a Bachelor's degree in Bible and Theology with an emphasis on Bible Exposition from Northland International University in Dunbar, Wisconsin, and a Master of Divinity from Bethlehem College & Seminary in Minneapolis. Daniel lives in Burnsville with his wife, Natalie; their son Caedmon (2011); their daughter Helen (2014), and their daughter Eden (2017). 

Alan came to trust in Jesus as his Lord and Savior at the age of 26–27 through the witness of his younger brother, much reading, reflection, and prayer. His life verse is Galatians 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Along with all of Scripture, this verse has been an anchor for Alan throughout his years as a follower of Jesus.

Alan has been married to his lovely wife Julie since 1999. They first met on a "blind" date. Now they enjoy walking and talking together. Alan & Julie have 4 children: Katrina, Chloe, Caroline and Jacob. As a family they enjoy camping, outdoor activities, board games, and just spending time together.

The West family has attended Bethlehem since Spring of 2012 and they became members in 2014. They love the focus on sound doctrine, the God-centered vision of the church, and the church-wide desire to grow to fullness of maturity in Christ together. Alan volunteers as a Sr High mentor and a small group leader, and he is involved in the men's ministry.

Bill & Emily have been members at Bethlehem since December 1990. They have two daughters, Abby and Anna. The Zwickys are one of the many families who have an intentional, committed involvement at Bethlehem’s South Campus. Bill has been in various ministries at Bethlehem, including significant IT and Web assistance for the church. Bill & Emily have served in the Welcome Ministries at the Information Booth and have been leaders in Family Discipleship.

1. Share your testimony. How did God draw you to faith in Christ?
   I accepted Christ as my personal Savior at the age of 11 at my home in New Hope, Minnesota. After a few weeks of study, my pastor came to my home and we went through the Four Spiritual Laws. I prayed earnestly for Jesus to come into my life as my Lord and Savior. Praying and knew Christ entered my life was a meaningful experience for me, and I have tried to live for him in my daily walk. I was baptized by immersion three days after accepting Christ, at my childhood church in Golden Valley.
   
   
2. Tell us about your family. Does your spouse support your move toward deacon?
   Yes, my wife, Kristin, strongly supports me in becoming a deacon and will assist as needed with her administrative skills along with her other spiritual gifts. Our three boys all attend Bethlehem Baptist, even though they are all out on their own now. Derek attends Downtown; Nathan and Peter attend the North Campus.
   
   
3. Do you agree with the Elder Affirmation of Faith and the Church Covenant?
   Yes, we studied the Elder Affirmation of Faith one summer with Pastor Aaron Davitch on Wednesday nights at the 501 building, and I am in agreement. I also went over the Church Covenant during the membership process and fully agree.
   
   
4. When did you start attending Bethlehem?
   November 2007
   
   
5. In what areas have you served at Bethlehem?
   • Setup team on Sunday mornings before church
   • Currently as a Small Group Leader with my wife, Kristin
   • Currently in the Blue Nursery as Teacher and as a Caregiver on a regular basis
   • We have occasionally hosted the Sr High Youth group at our home in Eagan.
6. Why are you eager to serve as a deacon at Bethlehem?
   I have been an Elder and Ministry Team Leader at my former Converge church and thoroughly enjoyed serving in those roles. I very much look forward to serving as a deacon at Bethlehem. I feel my spiritual gifts of Leadership, Faith, and Mercy are well suited to serve in this capacity.

1. Share your testimony. How did God draw you to faith in Christ?
   My parents were devoted followers of Jesus and laid a foundation for us in a home where prayer and reading the Word were as normal as eating and sleeping. When I was about 5, my older sister Cathy (about 10) told me about an offer that was too good to refuse—she said that if I prayed and asked God to forgive me for my sins and for Jesus to come into my heart, he would forgive me and come in and take me to heaven when I died.
   
   Though my understanding was small, I remember thinking, “Sure, sounds good!” I prayed with Cathy that day, and I believe that was the initial step of saying “Yes” to Jesus. As I grew, my understanding of my great sinfulness and Christ’s great sacrifice increased. I came to see that even though I didn’t have huge, visible sins, my heart was incredibly sinful and selfish and needed to be made new—“We all like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way, and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6). As my understanding has grown, so has my love for my Lord, and I have been blessed by many years of walking with him, seeing him to be ever faithful and abounding in love and mercy.
   
   
2. Tell us about your family. Does your spouse support your move toward deacon?
   I’ve been married to Jon for 32 years, and he is supportive of this move. We have four adult married children (ages 24–29) and three grandchildren.
   
   
3. Do you agree with the Elder Affirmation of Faith and the Church Covenant?
   Yes.
   
   
4. When did you start attending Bethlehem?
   October 2008.
   
   
5. In what areas have you served at Bethlehem?
   
   • Women’s Ministry: MOMS co-leader, table leader, program committee, and have led worship; Titus 2 Mentor and Titus 2 Committee Member
   • Welcome Desk
   • Choir, pianist for children’s Sunday School and sub worship pianist
   • Nursery, providing meals for families in need
   • We enjoy hosting small group, youth Sup n, Stuff events, Meetups
6. Why are you eager to serve as a deacon at Bethlehem?
   I am just excited to serve, and in a way, I don’t feel like the new role changes anything for me—I’ve always felt a compulsion to welcome people, help them get connected, and be an encouragement to them.
   
   Jesus’ prayer in John 17 talks about the love between himself and his Father. His desire is that we would have the same oneness—the same love as they did—as an evidence to the world so that they may believe that the Father had sent him. Our love for others in the body is a powerful witness!
   
   I believe that God has designed the body so that each of us can be an encouragement to others in our body at Bethlehem, so that they do not grow weary, and can run the race with endurance (Hebrews 12).
   
   I see so many around me serving so well in so many areas, and being the body already,  so I hope I can encourage them to continue in this and even help bring others alongside to assist, get involved, and use their gifts for the building up of the body.

1. Share your testimony. How did God draw you to faith in Christ?
   Many years ago, late at night, while still an unbeliever, my roommate asked me to pray for a miracle of healing for his father who was expected to pass away during the night. During the prayer, I had an overwhelming sense that he would be OK. Early the following morning my roommate received a call stating that his father had recovered at exactly the time of our prayer. Shortly after that, I prayed The Sinner’s Prayer, and trusted in Jesus. 
   
   
2. Tell us about your family. 
   I have been married to Marilyn going on 38 years. We have two sons, Chris (36) and Steve (33), and a granddaughter, Maya, and a grandson, Emmett.
   
   
3. Do you agree with the Elder Affirmation of Faith and the Church Covenant ?
   I do.
   
   
4. When did you start attending Bethlehem?
   3.5 years ago.
   
   
5. In what areas have you served at Bethlehem?
   Greeter, welcome desk, Vacation Bible School
   
   
6. Why are you eager to serve as a deacon at Bethlehem?
   Bethlehem is our home within the body of Christ. I want to be a part of its flourishing and hope to contribute to that end. 

1. Share your testimony. How did God draw you to faith in Christ?
   I was born to Christian parents in the ministry. At age 16, I gave my life to Christ during a music crusade at our church. The Lord has been faithful to me ever since, training and guiding me. 
   
   
2. Tell us about your family. 
   My mom and dad have passed away, and I have two brothers and a sister.
   
   Jack and I have been married 37 years and have two sons Chris (36) and Steve (33), granddaughter Maya, and grandson Emmett.
   
   
3. Do you agree with the Elder Affirmation of Faith and the Church Covenant? 
   Yes.
   
   
4. When did you start attending Bethlehem?
   3.5 years ago.
   
   
5. In what areas have you served at Bethlehem?
   Greeter, Welcome Desk worker, small group leader with Jack, and Meetup hosts
   
   
6. Why are you eager to serve as a deacon at Bethlehem?
   I love to serve my Lord any way he directs me.

1. Share your testimony. How did God draw you to faith in Christ?
   I was raised in a Christian home where my mother was a strong believer and taught us faithfully about Jesus. I have attended Bethlehem since birth, and through the teaching here and at home, became aware of my need for Jesus at age 5 and was baptized at 12. Later on I received a clearer understanding of God calling me to himself instead of me making the decision on my own. I’ve continued to grow in my faith and need for God to be utmost in my life as I study his word individually and as part of Bible studies. His faithfulness has indeed been great as I reflect on his leading in my life through the years.
   
   
2. Tell us about your family.
   I’ve been married to Denny for 47 years; two adult children we adopted as babies from Korea. Eric is now 40 with two daughters and attends Word of Grace; Melissa is 37, single and actively attending Bethlehem Downtown Campus.
   
   
3. Do you agree with the Elder Affirmation of Faith and the Church Covenant?
   Yes.
   
   
4. When did you start attending Bethlehem?
   1947 (all my life).
   
   
5. In what areas have you served at Bethlehem?
   Women’s Ministries Leadership, Choir, Children’s Ministries (Sunday School and VBS), Helping Hand, Barnabas Teams, Sojourner’s monthly lunches, current Co-Small Group Leader, on staff for eight years as Lead Nursery Coordinator, South.
   
   
6. Why are you eager to serve as a deacon at Bethlehem?
   I love caring for people in any way the Lord leads. Growing up at Bethlehem, I have been served well and would delight in giving back in this area with practical ways to serve our congregation.

1. Share your testimony. How did God draw you to faith in Christ?
   I grew up on a farm with Christian parents, and we attended a country church that met in the one-room schoolhouse where I attended through 6th grade. We had Vacation Bible School there every summer, and somewhere around 2nd or 3rd grade I felt a definite conviction that I was a sinner. I know now that this was the work of the Holy Spirit. I knew that just because my parents were Christians, I wasn’t automatically a Christian. It wasn’t enough to be a good kid, go to church, obey my parents, do the right things, etc., to gain God’s favor. It was only through the finished work of Jesus Christ that I could have forgiveness of my sins, and I put my faith and trust in him. He has continued to pour out blessing upon blessing throughout my life, and I am daily astounded by his amazing grace.
   
   
2. Tell us about your family.
   I have been married to Bonnie for 47 years, we have two grown children whom we adopted from Korea when they were babies. Eric lives in South Minneapolis and has two daughters, and attends Word of Grace. Melissa is single, lives in Richfield, and attends the Downtown Campus.
   
   
3. Do you agree with the Elder Affirmation of Faith and the Church Covenant?
   Yes.
   
   
4. When did you start attending Bethlehem?
   Fall 1965.
   
   
5. In what areas have you served at Bethlehem?
   Children’s ministry (Sunday School and VBS), Small Group Co-Leader, Barnabas Teams, Short-Term Mobilization Committee, choir, Communion server; Deacon (in the past, prior to shift to Elder leadership model)
   
   
6. Why are you eager to serve as a deacon at Bethlehem?
   I love Bethlehem and so appreciate all that the Elders do. I welcome the opportunity to come alongside them and assist in any way I can with the practical, everyday needs of our congregation.