Bethel - my experiences

Some of my friends have asked me to share my experiences in the Bethel Church in Redding which I visited from Friday to Sunday. The community is known for its diverse experiences of physical and inner healing - the Sozo concept was developed there and is known for its Musil.

Friday - Entry

I was excited when I arrived on Friday and first spent two hours in the prayer room, which is reserved for quiet, personal prayer. A wonderful view of the hilly landscape through large glass windows, a (somewhat loud) babbling fountain in the centre of the room, soft music and materials for painting and communion invited me to pray.

I was particularly impressed by a world map that showed where in the world it was currently daytime - for me an expression of the fact that the community has the world in its sights, which is also expressed in a variety of activities.

In the Friday evening service, someone spoke about the parable in which Jesus tells us that the boys who were hired late for work received the same wages as those who had toiled from the beginning. He described very vividly the feelings that are triggered when you think that the other person is getting something from God that you yourself wanted.

The preacher said that we rarely feel unfair when we ourselves get the biggest piece of cake and said: "If God's generosity triggers negative feelings in you, then this touches a level in which you can still grow and internalise the values of his kingdom more deeply. In a (healthy) family, you rejoice when a family member receives a gift!"

I realised that I sometimes have a problem with God's generosity towards others - especially when they receive something that I would also like. Yet I experience God towards me as the one who keeps his promises to provide for me.

Saturday - Healing Rooms

Saturday morning was reserved for prayer for healing for those who wanted and needed it. What impressed me: First there was a short, clear introduction about the process - it was important to those in charge that people knew what to expect. Then a compact, well-founded teaching about healing and only then prayer. I found that very pleasant because it created a very clear, safe framework.

Then we prayed for the people in teams. I told them that I had had a number of major and minor accidents, from falling on my neck to torn ligaments and muscles, none of which had healed properly. The team that prayed for me took a lot of time and during the prayer I didn't so much feel a physical change as a spiritual one: it felt as if a lot of the fear and inner tension that had built up in me as a result of the accidents had been released.

It was so intense that I slept for three hours afterwards. And went for an evening walk through the hills. And that was it.

Sunday - Full programme

Sunday morning's sermon was about being God's friend. Eric Johnson preached. About Moses, who talked to his God like a friend and did things with him. Solid. Good. Moving.

It is important to the church that people are active members of the congregation and so there are training courses on Sundays and other days. I went to Firestarters, which teaches people how to use God's power in everyday life. Something similar to my online course WUM miracles among people - experiencing and passing on God's supernatural power - only live. Solid, clear and always with exchange and practice sessions.

And later in the day there was also the opportunity to sign up for listening prayer - where two people listen to God inwardly and pass on their impulses. Here too - a solid, compact introduction. A lot of security. And two people who sensitively passed on what they had received as impulses.

Then a church service in the Kris Valvation in the evening. Before the sermon, I prayed for the connection between the USA and Russia. The perspective that the current connection between these two nations should and could contribute to peace in the world took some getting used to for me - like some other perspectives of some American Christians on politics. The fact that I happened to be sitting next to a Russian woman when we were asked to pray for a beneficial connection between Russia and the USA, I took note of as God's wink. I cannot and do not have to share many political attitudes - and yet I can pray from the bottom of my heart for blessings and receive what people have to give me.

Kris Valatton spoke about how the justice system across the region/county is not working - there are not enough prison places, resulting in people not being convicted and the number of burglaries, car thefts and other crimes is one of the highest in the country. He said that so far as a community they are at a loss as to how they can contribute in a good way to help improve this. He made it clear that he is not interested in Christians taking the helm, but in helping to move things in a good direction.

As a woman who herself has a big heart for our cities and regions to be blessed by us and shaped by us in a positive way, I was very moved by this - including his openness to say that they lack the keys so far. And at the same time the courage and belief that they want to keep at it until they see change. As a community, they donated money to the city to fund jobs in this area. They realised that this would not solve the problem, but at least they wanted to contribute something. I was touched by their transparency, honesty and desire.

Generosity

What impressed me most during those days was the generosity of the people. I didn't have a car, lived about 5 km away from the community and every day I experienced that the first person I asked if they could offer me a lift did so - even if my accommodation wasn't on the route.

People were just as generous with blessings. You struck up a conversation with someone. And when the person realised that I was a visitor, they asked if they could pray for me with a blessing. I've lost track, but I estimate that 50 or more people prayed for me over the days. Many also heard things from God for me.

The people in the congregation are trained to ensure that the impulses they give are encouraging and strengthening - from their point of view, criticism and rebuke are reserved for the leaders of the person in question and should have no place in blessed prayer.

Sometimes God says things that simply confirm what you already know: "I see that you write a lot of books!" (it's funny when the person who has seen this inwardly is completely surprised when you explain that you are already doing this). Or God simply describes how he sees you - this is also extremely encouraging and touching. And occasionally there are also impulses that point the way for the future. I experienced the whole range in the three days there; description, confirmation, direction. .

Summary

What I experienced during these days was a church that was focussed on Jesus and his work of redemption - especially in worship - that is not perfect, but trusts God to act with them and through them. And which generously, really generously, passes on what it has received.

I am currently reading the book by Beni Johnson 40 Days to Wholenesswho runs the church together with her husband, has written a book about a healthy lifestyle that combines the natural with the spiritual in a pleasant and touching way.

As a little PS, I was sitting next to a woman from the community on the return flight when the pilot announced that we could not land due to bad weather, but would have to circle for 30 minutes until it might be better or we would have to be diverted to another airport. Our flight had already been delayed by 2 hours due to the weather.

We prayed together that God would push the clouds away. and less than 30 seconds after our "Amen", the pilot said "Good news. The weather has suddenly cleared up. We can land in 10 minutes!" That's good.

Addendum 2025: Beni Johnson has unfortunately died of cancer in the meantime. Even in Bethel, not everyone experiences the miracles they hope for. Nevertheless, a lot happens. And a lot of good things.