The
Bethesda companies are a cluster of five nonprofit and for-profit
entities, with revenues over $50 million, committed entirely to the
B4B philosophy. Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo., the
components are:
Each company functions under a board of directors. There are no stockholders or other equity owners; only employees. The companies, though diverse in their fields of business expertise, are united in pursuing the common goal of the corporate motto: “Sharing God’s love with the world.”
Since its inception in 1959, Bethesda’s Business for Benevolence activities, along with Mission of Mercy donors have disbursed over 100 million dollars to ministries on five continents.
Our approach to giving is based on long-term considerations, not short-term. We are committed to remaining healthy from a business viewpoint for decades to come. Nevertheless, a common starting point for discussion among the Bethesda board is to give a minimum amount each year. The balance is retained for reinvestment in the existing businesses, acquisition of new businesses, and reserves for those difficult seasons that come to every business cycle (rainy-day money).
Some years Bethesda has been able to give away more than originally projected; other years less. No ratio should be considered “right” or “wrong.” This is merely an illustration of how one group of companies approaches its mission.
The name “Bethesda”—what’s that?
In case you were wondering … the Aramaic/Greek name Bethesda means “house of mercy” and comes from a large pool in first-century Jerusalem. Chronically ill people gathered on its five porches seeking relief. The account of Jesus’ visit to this pool appears in the New Testament (John 5:1-15).
- Bethesda
Ministries
(nonprofit), the overarching company that controls the other four.
It also operates an in-house ministry to the poor called Mission of Mercy,
which cares for some 40,000 children in 21 nations of the
world.
- Bethesda Senior Living Communities (nonprofit), which owns and operates 15 assisted, independent and special care communities in six states
- Bethesda Real Estate
Company (for-profit
wholly owned by Bethesda Associates), a manager and developer of
commercial and residential properties
- Bethesda Christian
Broadcasting
(nonprofit), which owns and operates three radio stations in Rapid
City, South Dakota and two radio stations in Sturgeon Bay,
Wisconsin
- Bethesda Associates (nonprofit), which provides services to the related companies, is owned by Bethesda Ministries and is the supporting entity for Mission of Mercy. It also receives the earnings of the for-profit Bethesda Real Estate Company (above).
Each company functions under a board of directors. There are no stockholders or other equity owners; only employees. The companies, though diverse in their fields of business expertise, are united in pursuing the common goal of the corporate motto: “Sharing God’s love with the world.”
Since its inception in 1959, Bethesda’s Business for Benevolence activities, along with Mission of Mercy donors have disbursed over 100 million dollars to ministries on five continents.
Our approach to giving is based on long-term considerations, not short-term. We are committed to remaining healthy from a business viewpoint for decades to come. Nevertheless, a common starting point for discussion among the Bethesda board is to give a minimum amount each year. The balance is retained for reinvestment in the existing businesses, acquisition of new businesses, and reserves for those difficult seasons that come to every business cycle (rainy-day money).
Some years Bethesda has been able to give away more than originally projected; other years less. No ratio should be considered “right” or “wrong.” This is merely an illustration of how one group of companies approaches its mission.
The name “Bethesda”—what’s that?
In case you were wondering … the Aramaic/Greek name Bethesda means “house of mercy” and comes from a large pool in first-century Jerusalem. Chronically ill people gathered on its five porches seeking relief. The account of Jesus’ visit to this pool appears in the New Testament (John 5:1-15).
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