“Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” — Ephesians 5:14
Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
My name is Rev. Champ Squires, and I am honored and excited to begin serving as the pastor of Bethel Methodist Church. As we embark on this new journey together, I have spent considerable time reflecting on what God may be calling us to become and how He desires to work through us in the days ahead.
One of the things that immediately captured my attention was the name Bethel. In Hebrew, Bethel means “House of God.” What a beautiful and powerful reminder of who we are called to be. This church is more than a building; it is a place where God’s people gather to worship, pray, serve, and experience the transforming presence of Jesus Christ.
As I reflected on this truth, my heart was drawn to Paul’s words in Ephesians 5:14: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
What if these words are not merely an ancient invitation but God’s invitation to us today?
Perhaps all of us, at times, find ourselves drifting into spiritual slumber. We become comfortable. We settle into routines. We allow the concerns of daily life to distract us from the wonder of God’s presence. Yet Christ lovingly calls us to awaken—to open our eyes once again to His grace, His power, and His purpose for our lives.
My prayer for Bethel Methodist Church is not simply that we continue doing what we have always done. Rather, I pray that God would awaken our hearts in fresh ways. May He renew our passion for worship. May He deepen our love for one another. May He strengthen our commitment to prayer. May He rekindle our desire to share the hope of Jesus Christ with our neighbors and community.
What might happen if an awakened church fully surrendered itself to God?
What might happen if Christ shined brightly through His people?
What might happen if our community saw the love of Jesus lived out not only within these walls but throughout Oswego, Sumter, and beyond?
I believe God is still in the business of bringing new life where there has been weariness, hope where there has been discouragement, and resurrection where there has been spiritual deadness. The same Christ who calls us to wake up is the same Christ who empowers us to rise.
As we begin this new chapter together, I invite you to join me in praying that God would make Bethel truly a House of God—a place where His presence is known, His Word is proclaimed, His people are transformed, and His light shines brightly for all to see.

Wake up, sleeper.

Christ has not finished with us yet.

Grace and Peace,