What Kind of church is Bethel’s Rock?
We are a multi-site church with four physical locations across the Southern Twin Cities, as well as a thriving online network. Our mission is to be a community where a diverse group of people come to encounter God, can be equipped, and be loved. Wherever you are in life and no matter what mistakes you may have made in life, we believe that God has called you to a purpose through Jesus Christ.
Our Lead Pastors
Pastor James took over as the Lead Pastor at Bethel’s Rock Church in March of 2010. Before coming to Bethel’s Rock, Pastor James served as the Sr. Associate Pastor at First Assembly of God in St. Joseph, Michigan after attending North Central University and studying pastoral ministries. While pastoring at Bethel’s Rock Church, Pastor James went on to receive his Masters Degree from North Central University in strategic leadership. He is passionate about reaching the lost, and has a huge heart for the cities of Richfield, Farmington, Apple Valley, and Cannon Falls.
Pastor James and his wife, Heather, have three daughters: Mckenzie, Bianca, and Bailey. They currently live in Lakeville.
+ Our Mission
To be a community where a diverse group of people come to encounter God, be equipped, and be loved.
+ Our Past
Bethel’s Rock Church began as Bethel Assemblies of God in 1956 when Evangelists Robert and Monzelle Hanson felt the call to plant a church in South Minneapolis in a tiny building on the corner of Nicollet Avenue and 57th Street. That building seated 66 people. After less than a year, there was an immediate need for expansion. They built a new sanctuary and saw immediate growth. Bethel Assembly had two other pastors over the following 40 years.
+ Our Present
In 2010, James Biffert was called to be the new pastor at Bethel Assemblies of God. At this time the church name was changed to Bethel's Rock Church, which comes from Genesis 28 where Jacob encounters God's presence at Bethel. In 2015, Bethel's Rock moved to its current location in Richfield. We are excited to be a part of this community and are committed to reaching the people of Richfield. In October of 2019, Bethel’s Rock opened a campus in Farmington and just a year later in September of 2020, we opened our Apple Valley campus. Our most recent addition is a church plant in Cannon Falls, which launched in November of 2022. With over forty nationalities represented, our church reflects the diversity of the surrounding areas.
Under Pastor James’ leadership, the church has experienced tremendous growth in every area of ministry. Pastor James has a vision for raising up future ministry leaders and missionaries and wants to see the church continue to succeed in making disciples for Christ. With an emphasis on Biblical teaching, community, prayer and God's presence, Bethel’s Rock is making an impact in the Richfield, Farmington, Cannon Falls, and Apple Valley communities, as well as the Twin Cities and around the world.
+ Our Beliefs
Bethel's Rock Church is an Assemblies of God church and we hold to the sixteen Fundamental Truths of the Assemblies of God. Click below to see a full description of our beliefs. Learn About Our Beliefs