A return engagement: Roop serving at Bethel second time in his life

The Rev. Phil Roop is serving at Bethel Assembly of God for the second time in his life. Roop was the youth pastor and intern team director from January 1989 to May 1996, he returned as senior pastor in April 2005. "I want to encourage with prayer, inspire with Christ's words, lead by example and serve as Jesus plainly lived out while on this planet," Roop said. He finds strength and support in his own personal time with God and in his wife, Denise. Since taking the position, Roop has seen a change at Bethel. "I have been able to witness a new spirit of life restored to the corporate body and seen people take an active role in ministry in the church and community," he said of the church at 1855 Perryville Road.

Question: What do you hope to accomplish at Bethel Assembly of God?

Answer: My prayer is that Bethel will be known as a refuge for the hurting, a lighthouse for the lost, a worship center for the hungry and an equipping-house for Christ followers. We desire to constantly pour into and network with the community without strings attached.

Q: What is the most difficult part of your job?

A: Confronting issues, mainly sin issues, in individuals' lives that they either refuse to acknowledge or sheepishly admit to after failure; possibly after bringing immense grief and difficulty into their family's life or their own life.

Q: What do you hope people take away from a visit to your church?

A: That they have been in the friendliest place in town, they have been encouraged by a song, a message, a challenge and a smile. Incidentally, statistics tell us that people decide in the first 11 minutes of a visit to a church if they will return and visit again, long before the pastor preaches.

Q: What is special about Bethel Assembly of God?

A: There is an atmosphere full of expectation, hope and change at almost every meeting. The people are committed to the work of the gospel, the mission of the church and to the well-being of each other.

Q: How would you describe your church in 10 words or less?

A: A vibrant family of Christ followers living in expectation.

Q: What is your favorite verse and why?

A: Romans 12:1-2: "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God -- this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Q: What you would like people to know about you or your church?

A: We have two themes at Bethel. One is best seen with the picture of Dorothy clicking her shoes together: "There's no place like home, there's no place like home. Don't you think it's time to come home?" Bethel means "House of God" in Hebrew. The other is "Come Expecting" -- you just never know what Almighty God is up to.