February

We welcome Ivy Li into the Team. Ivy will look after our reception in the mornings so guests will probably hear from her when making bookings and again when leaving.
Ivy now lives on Cheung Chau but has served in other countries.

January 2010

Room changes at Bethany.
To create a prayer room in "Quiet Cottage" we have moved Prophets bedroom to the Lodge. This will now provide 20 beds in the Lodge in 7 excellent rooms.

October

Bethany Seminars
We plan to host a number of seminars each year on topics relevant to membercare. These will take place both on Bethany campus and elsewhere. The first of these, “Marriage Masala” (see links)taking place in November 2009, is already fully booked. Contact us for details of future events.

June

We were delighted to welcome Rev. Steve Sweatman and his family to Bethany.
Steve (seen to the right with Bethany Operations ManagerJohn Phillips) is the President/CEO of Mission Training International in the US and was graciously enthusiatic about our ministry here.

April 4
John and Wendy Heap will be joining the team from the beginning of July.
They have been working with a church in the south of England and bring a wonderful combination of pastoral and administrative gifts. We see them as another example of the Lord's goodness to His work here at Bethany.

March 14

After several years of outstanding service as Chairman, John Stansfeld has stepped back from the post and Jeff Brice has been elected in his place. Jeff has been a great encourager of the Bethany team over the years and he and Janet, his wife, play a leading role in the monthly prayer meetings. John will continue as a Director and we hope that he and Helen continue to be active in Bethany Ministries for years to come.

Philip and Joan will bow out of Bethany at the end of March after 3 years of honourable service in Hong Kong

20 December 2008

We are delighted that work is completed on the front of Bethany Cottage (see photo), replacing the windows and making the wall damp proof. We expect that this will further enhance the Quiet Cottage as a place for singles and couples on retreat.

20 November 2008
Bethany Team expands
In addition to Rod and Ruthie joining us we have decided to seek God's provision of a second couple. They will also bring pastoral gifts as well as fill some administration roles. Ruth, sadly, will be moving on in April so we hope the new folk will be here around that time.

05 November 2008
New Staff
Rod and Ruthie Gilbert will be joining Bethany Ministries as our Pastoral Couple from May 2009. They bring a wealth of experience in Mission from over 30 years, bringing up 5 children overseas, ranging in age presently, from 30 to 14! Their book, “Marriage Masala; 52 spices for a healthy marriage!”, has been translated into Mandarin, Korean, Sinhala and is also published in Taiwan. In 1995 they established Scripture Union’s Family Life Centre at Mahabalipuram, South India and Rod’s last assignment was as Principal of Trinity College in Sri Lanka. We look forward to all that their varied ministry can add to the Bethany experience.

July 30 2008

Inflation takes its toll.

Bethany has had to raise the suggested minimum donation rates from 1 September 2008. However, some rates have not changed and we have introduced reductions for those who stay for 3 nights especially if they share a room. We hope our guests will understand and still feel that Bethany offers wonderful value to those in The Lord's family.

10 July 2008

Comings and goings
We are delighted to welcome two new hospitality staff into the team. Pui Ling and Jenny. Philip and Joan after several years of commited service to Bethany have decide to move on in March 2009 to follow other leadings. They have meant a lot to many people over this time and will be missed. We have begun the difficult task of finding replacements - see under "Join our team".

16 May, 2007

Rob and Elaine Hartland
Rob and Elaine founded Bethany in 1987 and spent 20 years caring for Christian workers and developing Bethany into what it is today. They have now moved to the Philippines to develop member care there. However they want to keep in touch with Bethany and their many, many friends.

Families
Bethany Ministries is keen to ensure that volunteer families working cross-culturally can get a break they can afford. So we now have in place special arrangements for those who are on a no-frills budget. Please email for details.