Leadership - Bethany Baptist Church

God has blessed Bethany with a talented and Christ-honoring staff. Meet them here!

Pastors

Teaching & Discipleship, Elder

Dr. Ritch Boerckel

ritch@bethanycentral.org

Pastor Ritch has been ministering at Bethany since 1993. His previous training includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in Pastoral Training from Moody Bible Institute, a Masters of Theology degree in Bible Exposition from Dallas Theological Seminary, and a Doctorate of Ministry from Covenant Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. Pastor Ritch and his wife Kimberly have three grown sons that are each married: Alexander (Kiera), Daniel (Elizabeth), and Jackson (Taylor).

Teaching & Care, Elder

Josh Beakley

josh@bethanycentral.org

Josh has served Bethany since 2013. He spent his childhood in a variety of locations, from Michigan, Illinois, California, and even South Africa. He graduated from the Master’s College in Santa Clarita, California, with a degree in Business, and then continued on through The Master’s Seminary, where he completed his Masters of Divinity in 2013. Josh has been married to his wife Janea since 2012, and they have three children: Jade, Jude, and Julietta.

Staff Oversight, Elder

Bob Castle

bob@bethanycentral.org

Bob began attending Bethany in March of 1999, and has served as an elder since 2012. In February of 2018, after 30 years with Caterpillar Inc., Bob transitioned onto the staff team at Bethany where he oversees a wide variety of ministry areas across all ages and stages of life in the church. He is married to Markie, and they have three sons; Shane (Christy), Brent (Kristin), and Spencer (Emily). Bob and Markie have six grandsons and a granddaughter as well!

Older Adults

Lyall Sutton

lyall@bethanycentral.org

Pastor Lyall has been ministering at Bethany since 1988. His previous training includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Religion and Pastoral Studies from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, and a Master of Arts in Ministry from Moody Graduate School in Chicago, Illinois. Lyall and his wife Sheila have two children, Megan and Ben (married to Hannah).

Biblical Counseling, Elder

Joel Smith

joel@bethanycentral.org

Pastor Joel has attended Bethany since April of 2005 and came on staff in May 2006. He is originally from Lafayette, IN. Before serving on staff, he was senior pastor at Northpark Baptist Church. He serves as the counseling pastor and helps with the connecting ministries. He is married to Ginny and they have three children, Philip (married to Jennie), Evan, and Kirsten.

Praise & Music, Elder

Isaac Downing

isaac@bethanycentral.org

Isaac has served at Bethany since 2015, initially as the Director of Communications and Media before transitioning to lead the Praise and Music ministry in 2019. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lincoln Christian University, and is pursuing a Master of Theological Studies at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Isaac has been married to his wife Rachel since 2003, and they have four children: Ethan, Malachi, Harper, and Hadley.