Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades (John 5:2 ESV)
Greater Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church (GBMBC) beginnings reflect much of what makes Bethesda unique and distinctive today. Since our inception in 1882, our 31 charter members prayerfully chose the name Bethesda, literally the “House of Overflowing Mercy”, to symbolize the promise of God’s transformational restoration for all people who were in need as reflected at the “Pool of Bethesda” mentioned in John 5:1-14.
Since 1882, GBMBC has been a source of respite for those seeking a place of restoration during difficult times. Withstanding the fire that destroyed the church in 1900, the tumultuous Great Migration of African Americans to Chicago during the 1920s, the race-induced bombings of the church in 1925, the Civil Right Movement in the 50s and 60s, and the current economic upheaval, Bethesda has served as a station of hope and healing for its congregants and community at large.
Loving Our God, Living Our Name
We believe that God has establish, blessed, and sustained our church to fulfill our God-given mission summarized by the acronym (GBMBC)
- G Glorifying God (Our Calling)
- B Becoming Disciples of Jesus Christ (Our Commitment)
- M Making an Impact in the Community (Our Cause)
- B Building the Kingdom of God (Our Commission)
Our mission motto is : ” Loving Our God, Living Our Name!” We are a warm welcoming family of faith that is committed to fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) by following the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-40) for the Great Cause (Matthew 25:31-36/ Matthew 9:35-36) at Greater Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church.