BETHEL BAPTIST ASSOCIATION OF FLORIDA, INC.

HIGHLIGHTS OF HISTORY

 

 

The Bethel Missionary Baptist Association was organized in 1916 at the St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church at Zellwood, Florida; the late Rev. J. T. Stackhouse was Pastor.

 

There were 35 original founders at the organizational meeting. The first elected Moderator was the late Pastor W. M. Poe who served from 1916 until his death in 1943; Pastor W. R. Singleton, next elected, served from 1943 until his death in 1966; Pastor H. P. James was elected and served from 1966 until his death in 1984. Pastor W. N. McKinney was elected and served from 1984 to 1989 (after tenure was started) and was then made Moderator Emeritus until his death in 2002. Tenure was implemented setting a four (4) year term, with (1) re-election possible.

 

Pastor A. L. Brown, Sr. served from 1989 to 1993 and was instrumental in leading this Association into the property purchases that were made. Pastor James T. Allen was elected and served from 1993 to 1997. Pastor Lionel Clements was elected in 1997 and served until 1999. Pastor A. J. Chandler, the late Pastor Levi Nelson, and Pastor James T. Allen, respectively, assumed the leadership role as Moderator at different increments to complete the remaining portion of this 4-year term.  Pastor James T. Allen, was re-elected in 2001 and served to 2005.  November 2005, Rev. William Hawkins was elected Moderator and in November 2009, Rev. Hawkins was elected to a second term. November 2013, Reverend Michael D. Warren was elected as Moderator.

 

Prior to 1990, the Association held separate conventions for Ushers, Women, and number 1 and 2 Sunday School and BTU Conventions. These four (4) Conventions or Divisions were brought under the umbrella of the Parent Body. The Sunday School and BTU Conventions became the Bethel Congress of Christian Education by unanimous vote in 1990. The first Combined Session was held at the new edifice of the St. Paul Baptist Church in Oakland FL, Pastor E. E. Chisholm served as Pastor.

 

 

There are presently six (6) functioning auxiliaries in Bethel which include: Bethel Union; Bethel Laymen; Bethel Ushers; Bethel Women's Auxiliary under which the Youth Department is included; and Bethel Congress of Christian Education.

 

Bethel Association currently utilizes one of the properties previously acquired through the vision of Pastor A L. Brown as our Headquarters Complex that included at one time a multi-purpose building, an office and expansive parking. A monthly Newsletter, The Bethel Herald, was published and circulated by mail to the supporting churches and officers.

 

During the 104 years that Bethel has been in existence, some ninety-six (96) churches have been members at one time or another. When Moderator H.P. James was elected in 1966 several churches left to form the Mt. Bethel Association. Over time some left to join Associations closer to their respective locations while others have severed all connections with any organization. There are presently fifteen (15) churches listed as member churches of Bethel.

 

 

 

MODERATORS OF BETHEL BAPTIST ASSOCIATION

 

 

1916 - 1943               Pastor W. M. Poe

  

1943 - 1966               Pastor W.R. Singleton

 

 1966 - 1984              Pastor H.P.  James

                                  (Tenure Established after his term)

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 1984 - 1989              Pastor W. N. McKinney

                                  (Moderator Emeritus until death in 2002)

​

 1989 - 1993              Pastor A. L. Brown

  

1993 - 1997               Pastor James T. Allen

 

 1997 - 1999              The late Pastor Lionel Clements

 

1999 - 2001               Pastor Arthur J. Chandler

                                  The late Pastor Levi Nelson

                                  Pastor James T. Allen

 

 2001 - 2005              Pastor James T. Allen

 

 2005 – 2013             Pastor William Hawkins, Jr.

 

 2014 – Present         Reverend Dr. Michael D. Warren