Who We Are – History, Staff and Leaders
What God has Done
A Brief History of Bethel Church
On May 21, 1874 a meeting was held to organize a new mission church on the fringes of the growing community of Kingston. Bethel Congregational Church of Kingston, located at 314 Johnson St. was the result of that vision. Who in that group could have looked ahead through the years and imagined God’s blessing? How we praise God for those with vision 136 years ago!
As a congregation we are proud of our heritage of ministry to downtown Kingston. Some formal highlights include:
- 1874 — Organizational meeting to plant a church on the current site
- 1884 — completion of the addition housing the current International Room
- 1925 — independence following the joining of other Congregational Churches into the United Church of Canada
- 1949 — affiliation with Associated Gospel Churches of Canada, which continues today
- 1961 — construction of the East Wing addition housing the Nursery and Upper Room
- 1978 — completion of the sanctuary balcony
- 1984 — completion of front foyer and offices
- 1986 — purchase of 318 Johnson
- 1999 — “Build ’99 F”acility Development to build the West Wing
- 2004 — West Wing completed (Gym/Auditorium, new classrooms and connecting space for all)
- 2006 — Café Church, “daughter church” of Bethel is approved by the congregation and begins ministry at the Wellingston Street Theatre
- 2007 — Conversion of houses at 318 and 324 Johnson to Bethel House Ministry, in partnership with Salvation Army Harbour Light Centre for men leaving the addictions treatment program.
- 2008 — New Senior Pastor Mark Kotchapaw comes on board on August 1st.
- 2009 — New Director of Family Ministries Jamie Stinson starts, on May 1st.
- 2009 — Café Church moves to her own location on Ontario Street in downtown Kingston and is incorpoated as a standalone, non-denominational church
Through the years Bethel Church has been a welcoming family for all different kinds of people. The effects of ministry in the lives of people touched by the Gospel, are innumerable. Proximity to Queen’s University has provided a natural ministry focus with students. A strong tradition of involvement in worldwide mission has also developed through the years.
Pastoral/Teaching Staff
Mark Kotchapaw
Senior Pastor
markkotchapaw@gmail.com
The Kotchapaw household is slowly beginning to scatter as our kids grow up and pursue higher education. Our daughter Lyndsey has graduated university and is working for Corrections Canada here in Kingston. Landon our middle son, continues his education while Taylor, our youngest, is now also in university at Queen’s.
Rhonda (my wife) and I are loving this stage of parenting. While it is painful to see our kids move ,on we realize that it is necessary and healthy in their continued development. Rhonda is busy with a full-time job and various ministry commitments at Bethel. And we both have interests that help keep us balanced and healthy – we both enjoy reading, exercising, and spending time by the quiet lake when time permits. My wife is also into making homemade soaps and creams. I use them but have no interest in adding that to my list of hobbies!
We are loving Kingston and the diversity that we find here. The close proximity to everything is awesome and makes checking off “to do” lists a lot easier than when we lived over in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Rhonda and I both have a vision for the local church that includes authentic community, transformed lives, and relevant ministry to bless the congregants, as well as city and a team approach. It’s about team, not one or two people being at the center of everything.
Fred Grendel
Youth Director
fred@kingston.net
Amy Grendel
Secretary
bethel@kingston.net
Fred & Amy were married in October of 2002 and have the privilege of serving together on Bethel’s staff. Fred started at Bethel in September of 2006 as Youth Director, and Amy started in May 2010 as Secretary. They also serve together as the Team Leaders for our National Focus: Constance Lake First Nation.
A large part of our role is also serving and supporting the City Focus: Kingston. Bethel Youth Ministries serves grades 6 to 12 and their families, and does many activities throughout the year that reach out to the city and its youth. Amy provides administrative support to many of the city outreaches.
Fred & Amy enjoy spending time together on the water in their boat with their Boston Terrier Abbie. Amy enjoys scrapbooking and leading a women’s bible study. Fred enjoys watching Toronto Maple Leafs games and ice fishing.
Jamie Stinson
Director of Family Ministries
rstinson2@cogeco.ca
Pastoral Care
New to Bethel? Need someone to talk to / pray with? Our pastoral care team is here to help!
Bill Duffy
w.duffy@sympatico.ca
Phone: 613-634-7116
Martha Blair
marymarthablair@yahoo.ca
Phone: 613-542-2990
Elders
Doug Brown
Elder
dgbrown62@gmail.com
Roy Chan
Elder
Steve Dickey
Chairman, Elders’ Board
Ewen MacKenzie
Elder
emackenzie1@cogeco.ca
Scott Wylie
Elder
Deacons
Geoff Baker
Treasurer
Mike Barrett
Deacon
Dirk Bouma
Deacon
Steve Ditmore
Chair, Deacons’ Board
Carmen Gauvin-O’Donnell
Deaconess, Church Administrator
betheladmin@cogeco.ca
Brian Perkins
Deacon
John Sheahan
Deacon
Administrative Staff
Steve Cousineau
Building Superintendent
Carmen Gauvin-O’Donnell
Church Administrator
betheladmin@cogeco.ca
I began working for Bethel Church in September 2006 after attending church here for a few years.
I still unashamedly tell anyone who is willing to listen that is is the best job I have ever had and God-willing, they’ll take me out of it in a coffin when I’m 95!
My husband Mike (he’s in the army) and I have been in the Kingston area for over 15 years. We both love this city and hope to retire here. We have no children, but we do have a young cat named Pinball who thinks that our house is maintained for his comfort and convenience.
When not working at Bethel, I can usually found on a soccer field somewhere as I am a Chick Obsessed With Soccer (C.O.W.S). I also leads an awesome bunch of women in a bi-weekly bible study, my second most favourite “job.” And while those who know me know that I’m not into “girly-girl” things, I do love to cross-stitch, and renewed my love of stamp collecting a few years ago.
Tom Hodgins
Web Administrator