Board of Supervisors Approves Special Use Permit for Bethel Free Will Baptist Church

At a County Board of Supervisors meeting earlier this month, the board unanimously approved an expansion of Bethel Free Will Baptist Church's facilities.

Per the request of Michael Yates, who represented the church at the public hearing, the expansion is to include a 100-student school to accommodate students in grades one through 12.

"Our intent is to educate our children with a Christian background and install and teach Christian values. As well as to reach out in the civilian community," said Yates, who has been a member of Bethel Free Will Baptist Church for 18 years.

Land that the church will now expand upon is located roughly 365 feet north of Elm Farm Road and Pennington Lane; which is associated with the Prince William Parkway and Highway Corridor Overlay District.

Grades one and two will participate in Bethel's own curriculum while grades three through 12 will participate in an online course through Liberty University, located in Lynchburg, VA.

"The students will use laptops, while going to his or her personal site and then communicate with the instructors and staff in the classroom," said Yates. "All of the grading and scores are done through Liberty University."

Yates noted in his statement during the public hearing that the strength and reasoning behind using the program is attributed to a dollar-for-dollar match offered for $2500 a year for tuition for Liberty University.

The board recognized Yates' efforts, but he received specific accolades from his district representative.

 "I certainly appreciate Mr. Yates for going through this process on his own he didn't have to hire any outside help," said Occoquan District Supervisor Michael May. 

Land that will now be used for the church's facility expansion was originally zoned as agricultural land.