God Was Building More Than a Ministry: The Story Behind Bethany Bible Church

“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” — Psalm 127:1

There are certain moments in life that are difficult to put into words because they represent so much more than a single announcement. They represent years of prayer, seasons of waiting, moments of uncertainty, and countless reminders that God’s timing is always perfect—even when we don’t understand it. Today is one of those moments for me.

For a long time, I have quietly carried a dream in my heart. It wasn’t something I wanted to rush because I never wanted it to become my idea. I wanted it to become God’s. I have learned over the years that there is a tremendous difference between running ahead of God and faithfully walking beside Him. Whenever I have tried to force doors open, they have usually closed just as quickly. But every time I have surrendered my plans and trusted His timing, He has been faithful beyond anything I could have imagined.

That is exactly how the vision for Bethany Bible Church was born.

This isn’t a spontaneous decision. It isn’t simply another ministry project, another website, or another Facebook page. It is the result of years of God patiently preparing my heart, shaping my calling, teaching me through both joy and sorrow, and reminding me that His plans are always greater than my own. As I look back over the last thirty-one years of my life, I can finally see how every chapter was leading me to this one.

Looking Back at the Journey

If you’ve followed my story over the years, you’ve watched it unfold one chapter at a time. Some of you first met me when I was simply a young writer sharing my thoughts online. Others discovered my work through my books. Many came to know me through Stomping On CP, where disability advocacy became one of the greatest passions of my life. Others joined me later through Able by Grace Ministries, my podcast, my devotionals, or after God called me into pastoral ministry.

Each season looked different on the outside, but looking back now, I realize they all had one thing in common—they were preparing me to trust Jesus more deeply.

When I was younger, I believed God had one calling for my life. I thought writing was the destination. Then I thought disability advocacy was the destination. Later, I believed ministry itself was the destination.

But I’ve come to understand something beautiful.

God was never asking me to chase a destination.

He was asking me to follow Him.

Every opportunity He placed before me wasn’t the finish line. It was simply another step along the path He had already prepared. Every article I wrote, every interview I conducted, every conference I attended, every book I published, every ministry credential I earned, and every conversation I had with someone who needed encouragement became another lesson in learning how to trust His voice.

There were moments when I couldn’t understand why certain doors closed. There were dreams that didn’t unfold the way I had planned. There were relationships that ended, disappointments that brought tears, and seasons when I wondered if I had somehow misunderstood what God wanted from me. Yet today, when I look back, I wouldn’t erase a single one of those experiences. Even the painful chapters became part of God’s faithfulness because they shaped the person He was calling me to become.

From Brokenness to Purpose

Living with cerebral palsy has taught me many things, but perhaps the greatest lesson has been dependence.

From an early age, I understood that life wasn’t always going to be easy. There were surgeries, therapies, doctor’s appointments, obstacles, and moments where I questioned why my journey looked different from everyone else’s. Like many people, I asked God questions that didn’t always receive immediate answers.

There were seasons when I wondered why He had allowed me to face certain challenges. There were days when I wished my life looked more “normal.” There were moments when discouragement seemed louder than hope.

But over time, something incredible happened.

God didn’t always remove the obstacles.

Instead, He changed my perspective.

He taught me that our greatest testimonies are often born from our deepest struggles. He reminded me that His strength truly is made perfect in weakness. The things I once believed disqualified me from ministry eventually became the very things that allowed me to minister to others with compassion and understanding.

I no longer see cerebral palsy as something that prevented God from using me.

I see it as one of the many ways He prepared me to point people toward Him.

The Evolution of My Calling

One of the questions I’ve received over the last year is why my ministry has changed so much.

The answer is simple.

I haven’t abandoned my calling.

I’ve grown deeper into it.

Stomping On CP will always hold a special place in my heart. That ministry opened doors I never imagined possible. It introduced me to incredible people, gave me opportunities to advocate for disability awareness, and reminded countless individuals that their diagnosis does not define their value.

I will always be grateful for that chapter.

But God has a way of expanding our vision when we’re willing to trust Him.

Able by Grace Ministries wasn’t created because I stopped believing in disability advocacy.

It was created because I realized something even greater.

Disability advocacy changes perspectives.

The Gospel changes lives forever.

As wonderful as it is to help someone feel seen, valued, and included, nothing compares to introducing someone to the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Physical healing is a blessing, but spiritual healing lasts for eternity.

That realization transformed not only my ministry but also my heart.

Why Bethany Bible Church?

As I spent more time studying Scripture, I found myself falling in love with the Bible in a way I never had before. I wasn’t simply reading verses for encouragement anymore. I wanted to understand the context, the history, the theology, and the heart behind every passage. I wanted to teach others what I was learning because I realized that so many Christians are hungry for solid biblical teaching.

The name Bethany became deeply meaningful to me.

Bethany was a place where Jesus was welcomed. It was the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus—a place filled with friendship, hospitality, worship, and miracles. It reminds us that God often does His greatest work in places that seem ordinary.

That’s my prayer for this ministry.

That Bethany Bible Church would become an online place where people encounter Jesus, grow in His Word, and discover that no one is beyond the reach of His grace.

Looking Toward 2027

The official launch of Bethany Bible Church is still ahead of us, and that’s intentional. I believe God is calling me to prepare carefully rather than rush ahead. There are Bible studies to write, sermons to develop, ministries to organize, technology to build, and, most importantly, prayers to pray.

I don’t want to build something impressive.

I want to build something faithful.

If this church never becomes large but remains faithful to Scripture, it will be a success.

If one person comes to know Jesus because of this ministry, it will be worth every hour of preparation.

If one believer grows deeper in their relationship with Christ because they opened God’s Word alongside us, then every late night, every revision, every prayer, and every act of obedience will have been worthwhile.

Thank You

Before I close, I simply want to say thank you.

Thank you to everyone who has walked beside me throughout this journey. Thank you for reading my books, listening to my podcasts, sharing my articles, praying for me, encouraging me, and believing in me when I struggled to believe in myself. Your kindness has been one of God’s greatest gifts in my life.

Most importantly, thank You, Lord.

Thank You for choosing someone who often felt overlooked.

Thank You for reminding me that Your plans are never limited by my circumstances.

Thank You for proving over and over again that Your grace truly is sufficient.

And thank You for allowing me the privilege of serving Your Kingdom.

As we prepare for this next chapter, I ask for one thing above everything else.

Please pray.

Pray that Bethany Bible Church always remains faithful to God’s Word.

Pray that every sermon points people to Jesus.

Pray that every decision reflects biblical truth.

Pray that this ministry never becomes about a person, but always about our Savior.

Because in the end, my greatest desire isn’t to build a successful ministry.

It’s to faithfully serve the One who gave everything for me.

By His grace, we’ll begin this next chapter together in 2027.

Bethany Bible Church

Coming in 2027

Teaching the Bible. Sharing God’s Love. Helping People Grow in Their Faith.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Tylia L. Flores
Founder, Bethany Bible Church
An Online Church of Able by Grace Ministries