Operation Banana Pancakes
$13,211 Given
Help Us Pay Off Bethany’s Mortgage
Our Goal: 400 People Giving $500 Each by December 31, 2025.
Who Do You Go to When You Have a Crazy Big Goal?
A group of YWAMers, friends, and family, of course. We’ve seen God provide in miraculous ways, and we also know the power of putting in the sweat to make things happen. This is one of those times we need both.
John was one of my best friends. He was a best friend to many—he was just that kind of guy. Losing him wasn’t easy. I can’t begin to imagine what Bethany is going through.
Over the last year, I’ve thought a lot about what my wife would do if she were in Bethany’s place. The first thing that came to mind was lifting some of the burden off her shoulders. That’s what I want to do now—take away some weight. But I can only do so much on my own.
Then I started wondering—what if we, as past YWAMers, friends, and family, banded together? What if each of us carried just a little piece of the load? Could we take away Bethany’s biggest financial burden forever? Could we pay off her mortgage and give her peace of mind?
There’s only one way to find out.
Operation Banana Pancakes is our quest to do what I can’t do alone—raise $200,000 by the end of 2025 to pay off Bethany’s mortgage.
🔹 We need 400 people to give $500 each.
🔹 Starting in Summer of 2025, Operation Banana Pancakes will take over Bethany’s mortgage payments, so our first priority is raising enough to cover those payments.
🔹 Funds raised will also be available for home repairs, emergencies or immediate needs involving the kids, ensuring Bethany has security beyond just the mortgage.
This is your invitation to be part of something bigger.
If John and Bethany ever impacted your life —now’s the time to show up.
If you've ever wished you could do something meaningful for someone you love, this is your moment.
Let’s make sure Bethany and her kids don’t just survive this season— but they feel the weight lifted by a community that truly cares.
We can’t all do everything, but we can all do something.
Are you in?
Signed,
Jeremy Lange
Bethany's Story
A Life Changed in an Instant
John and Bethany were an amazing match. They built a life together; filled with love, laughter, and dreams for the future. But when the unthinkable happened, those dreams shattered.
Now, she’s facing the unimaginable: raising six kids on her own, including a toddler. And working? It’s just not an option. Even if she could find a job that fit around her kids’ needs, the cost of childcare alone would likely outweigh any income she could bring in.
No matter how you pencil it out, the numbers don’t work.
But here’s the thing—Bethany never asked us to do this. She didn’t come looking for help. When she was asked what a financial need was, her mortgage was the biggest concern. While losing the house isn’t on the horizon, we don’t ever want it to be.
We want to give Bethany and her kids the security of knowing that their home will always be theirs.
That’s why we’re here. That’s why this campaign exists. Because no one should have to walk this road alone.
Let’s honor John by taking care of the people he loved most.
What Banana Pancakes Means
A Tribute to Bethany’s Generosity
This story is shared by Foster Miller, one of the many people who experienced the generosity of the Murphy family firsthand.
Years ago, when I was a young single YWAMer, I had the opportunity to live in the basement of the Murphy’s house. It was a unique experience—the basement was certainly a testosterone-filled bachelor pad, but it was also just an open stairway away from a wonderfully warm and inviting family.
We would gear up for a night full of masculine exploits in our independent rented space when a pair of large eyes and a little nose would peek around the corner of the stairway, and the night would turn into wrestling and being entertained by the now-grown, precious Murphy children.
That was just one of the great perks of living with the Murphy family. I have wonderful memories of my time living with them. John and Bethany took great care in choosing who they invited to live with them, and it was an honor. They didn’t just rent us a room—they invited us into their family. They discipled us, invested in us, and made us feel at home. I felt at home and loved when Bethany cooked.
On Saturday mornings, Bethany would make her family banana pancakes, and we would follow our noses up the stairs, making puppy-dog eyes at her.
She would, in turn, love us in the form of banana pancakes. Banana pancakes on Saturday mornings became our thing. It was family time. It was sacred.
Sitting around the Murphy’s kitchen table, we were with family; full hearts and full bellies. A beautiful picture of how John and Bethany opened their hearts and lives to all of us while making us feel at home.
Now, Bethany needs us. She’s facing life without John, and we have a chance to give back.
What You Can Do to Help
Supporting Bethany is simple, and every dollar makes a difference.
💙 One-Time Donation – Give any amount that feels right for you.
💙 Join the 400 – Be one of the 400 people giving $500 to reach our goal.
💙 Pledge Your Gift – Planning to give later this year? Let us know! Pledging helps us track progress and stay on target. Click here to pledge.
💙 Spread the Word – Share this page with family and friends who want to help.
💙 School Staff & Small Group Leaders – If you worked with John at any of his schools, we need you to help us reach out to other staff and your small group. Can you connect with them and see if they want to be part of Operation Banana Pancakes?
Every donation, big or small, gets us one step closer to giving Bethany and the kids long term security.
How to Give
1. Fill out the Donation Tracking form above. This is critical for
Bethany to track accurately.
2. Give via
-Zelle @ murphybethany22@gmail.com (5000 limit),
-Check made out and sent to:
“Murphy Family Trust”
PO Box 207
Arvada, CO 80001
-Wire (please contact murphybethany22@gmail.com or for instructions or questions)
3. If you want a tax deduction and want to give directly to home repair projects you can donate to The Neighborhood Rehab Project and indicate that it is for Bethany Murphy
4. Please visit Everloved and continue to share memories and pictures that you may have of John
Thank You!!!!
Q & A
Where will the funds go?
100% of the donations go directly to Bethany to cover her mortgage, needs, and provide financial security for her family.
Who is organizing this fundraiser?
Jeremy and Keeley Lange are joined by a team of close friends who love Bethany and want to honor John’s memory.
What if Bethany decides to move?
Our heart is to provide housing security for Bethany and her children, whether staying in their current home or settling into a new one that better suits their needs.
Is my donation tax-deductible?
No, unless you choose to donate through the Neighborhood Rehab Project option
How can I contact you?
For any questions, please email us at jeremykeeleylange@gmail.com, message us on social media, text, or call.