Welcome to Betel of America
Betel of America is a non profit organization located in the heart of New York City dedicated to restoring broken lives. Betel believes in the transformation of the individual. We offer a Christian residential program for drug addicts and alcoholics. The program is free of charge.
Betel welcomes all individuals who desire to change and break free from their addictions regardless of nationality, race and religion.
Humble Beginnings
Betel began in Spain in the inner city barrio of San Blas, Madrid almost three decades ago when a small group of WEC International missionaries began to care for the needs of a few drug addicts and marginalized people. Today its program and communities can be found in over 70 urban areas in more than 20 nations: Spain, Portugal, France, England, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Russia, Finland, Australia, India, Nepal, Mongolia, Mexico, USA, South Africa, Kazakhstan and the coast of North Africa.
Betel Links
Nook n’ Crannie
Betel International Website
Betel Internships
Betel Church in Madrid
Wec International
Betel Facebook Site
Nook and Crannie Facebook Site
A Letter from the Directors
In the 21st century, in spite of the constant innovations in technology, science and medicine, addiction continues to be a serious problem in the United States of America. One in four Americans has a close friend with a serious addiction problem. About nineteen million adults are classified as having dependence or addiction problems- that is roughly the population of the state of New York. Fifteen million of these are dependant on alcohol, making it America’s number one drug problem. The hardcore addict population, or those addicted to Class A drugs such as heroin and cocaine, is approximately one million.
A common addiction trait addicts share is the belief that escaping addiction is impossible. This is sadly reinforced by friends and family whose trust and confidence have been repeatedly abused by the addict over time, causing them to lose faith in the addict’s ability to change. There is a growing societal trend which believes that addicts cannot change. We are all too familiar with the mantra ‘once an alcoholic always an alcoholic’ or ‘once an addict, always an addict.’
Our experience is that NO ONE is beyond change. However the addict needs to reach a place where they sincerely desire to be transformed. It is the power of Gods love, and the faith and support of a caring community that make change possible. The residents need someone to believe in them, encourage them when they confront problems and lift them up when they feel discouraged. If the new resident sincerely desires to change and is willing to take the appropriate steps no matter how difficult they may be, then a new future is possible.
The Tepper family, Betel directors
Nick’s Story
Somehow by the grace of God I graduated high school. I stopped using cocaine and leaned more toward prescription pain pills. By the time I was 21 I was just a mess. I was doing about 80 milligrams of methadone, and shooting up heroine too.
I had been with my girlfriend Ikea (now my fiancée) since 10th grade and we had our son Cordel when I was 19. The drugs took over anything I had in my heart for them. She finally left me a month before I came into Betel. My life was completely done. I had burned every bridge with my family although they tried to do everything to help me. I was stealing from my grandmother and taking my son with me on drug deals, just ridiculous things like that.
My aunt and grandmother found out about Betel from Grace Covenant church. That same day we left at three AM to come to Betel. I was deathly ill the first month from withdrawals and if I had a place to go I would have left, but I stayed and I changed. I started really seeking the Lord and getting involved. God flipped my life upside down. Then I was asked to be the leader in the house. Before I couldn’t even keep my house clean or pay bills and now I was a house leader in Betel, it was pretty awesome.
For real if you just come to Betel and open yourself up and listen to the people that are here and seek the Lord, He will change your life. It changed my life!
Take the first step. Call us today at (718) 772-2128 Learn More