Vision, Mission, and Values — Four Characteristics — Mario & Karina — Free Methodist Church
If you’d like to learn more about the project, click here.
The name Beta.Church comes from the second letter of the Greek alphabet, βῆτα, which represents the number two and is associated with a second position or stage in a process. In technology, a “beta” version is almost ready but still in development, reflecting Beta.Church’s desire to be a space for spiritual growth for imperfect people who are still in process—people like us who need God’s grace to move forward.
The name also echoes the Semitic root “beth”, related to the hieroglyph that means “house.” For us, Beta symbolizes a house of second chances, a place for those of us who aren’t the first or the best, but who are deeply loved by God, who seeks and finds us.
Additionally, we are launching this project in the year 2025, coinciding with the beginning of Generation Beta, a term coined by demographer and social analyst Mark McCrindle to describe those born between 2025 and 2039.
Finally, we will use resources like the Alpha courses to introduce people to the faith, offering as a natural next step the Beta experience: a stage of spiritual formation and growth.
“The first Adam became a living being; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. […] The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is of heaven. As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven. And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man.”
— Paul of Tarsus, 1 Corinthians 15:45–49
Our 4 characteristics: a church…
We envision a hybrid, missional church based on small groups and focused on spiritual formation—designed for those who have never been part of a church or who have walked away from the faith. We will combine physical and digital spaces, with a strong emphasis on small groups that foster authentic relationships, mutual support, and spiritual growth. We understand spiritual formation as a living union with the Triune God through Christ—a transformative relationship that impacts every area of life and propels us to live out and reflect Jesus in everyday life.
Beta.Church seeks to be a community centered on God’s Word, committed to mission, meaningful worship, and practical love.
The project is led by Karina Gutiérrez Seguel, a student of Christian Ministry and Spiritual Formation at Abilene Christian University, currently in the process of ordination in the Free Methodist Church; and Mario Bravo Lamas, a psychologist and theologian with a Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary, ordained as an elder in the same denomination. Both of us have pastored in Chile and the United States, and we now focus our calling on the spiritual formation of new generations in secular contexts.
We are a family — What is the Free Methodist Church?
Beta.Church is part of the Free Methodist Church (FMC), an evangelical Christian denomination with roots in the Methodist movement. This movement began in the 18th century, when a group of Oxford University students, led by John Wesley, sought spiritual renewal—a way of living the Christian faith that emphasizes loving God, loving others, and growing spiritually every day (Matthew 22:37–39).
Out of the Methodist tradition emerged the Free Methodist Church, founded in the 19th century in the United States as an effort to live the gospel more faithfully, with a strong commitment to freedom, justice, and holiness (Micah 6:8, Galatians 3:28).
Being part of a larger ministry family means we have accountability and structure that make us stronger.
