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Overcast Empty building turns into a new church
Bethlehem Assembly of God has big plans for 2024, including building connections and fully serving the Baldwin community, and it all hinged on the opening of a new church.
Bethlehem Assembly of God is a multi-campus church under the leadership of Pastor Steven Milazzo with three locations with its main location in Valley Stream. They also have a location in Rosedale and now in Baldwin. They have been serving Long Island and Queens for over 72 years. Bethlehem Assembly recently moved into an abandoned church building formerly owned by Sheepgate Assembly and Freedom Chapel Church. The new church campus held its first services on Christmas Eve.
Pastor Carlos Beltre who serves as the Baldwin campus pastor, explained that Bethlehem Assembly wanted the congregation to expand into other nearby communities. When Pastor Steven Milazzo learned that the former church building was no longer in use, Milazzo thought this would be a great opportunity to resurrect a new church campus in a wonderful community. This was a win-win situation for everyone.
The Abandoned building, which was in bad shape, has been restored to its former glory by the efforts of everyone at Bethlehem Assembly of God. Everyone played a significant role in this project. People from the main campus gave financially for years to help support the project while others from each campus helped with planning, oversight, renovations and encouragement. This was a team effort all the way.
Pastor Beltre added that the community’s response to the church’s renovations has been overwhelming, He said neighbors have told them how excited they are for the church building to finally be reopened again. Sheepgate was a community church that helped residents of Baldwin, and Bethlehem wants to bring that back again.
We have already partnered with Lenox Elementary School, which is right down the block, to help serve their community and their families”, Beltre said.
Bethlehem hosted a turkey drive at the church in Baldwin in November, when more than 200 turkeys and boxes of hope were donated to families in the community.
“The vision and mission of the church is to love, grow and serve” Beltre said, “so wherever we go, our job is to just love the community, serve the community and grow our relationship with one another as well.
This vision will be carried out through different services offered by the church, including worship services on Sunday Morning and bible studies on Wed. night. There will also be outreach programs for the children and youth and much more.
In 2012 Pastor Steven Milazzo and Bethlehem Assembly launched Hopedaynetwork.org which empowers churches to reach their communities with hope and practical support. Since 2012 Hope Day Network has conducted 282 Hope Day community events and served over 155,000 people. Beltre said, we are excited to bring this awesome event to Baldwin in 2024.
Beltre explained that now there is more “apathy” toward God than in the past. Through the church campus, he is hoping to build connections with the younger generation. Building strong relationships within the community is one of the main goals for the new church campus, he added.
“Baldwin is a beautiful town, and we are truly looking forward to being a part of the Baldwin family and being able to serve the community and the families there,” Beltre said. “We look forward to just continuing to build the great culture that exists there and be a part of it.”
To learn more about the church’s upcoming services, visit bethlehemag.org
