OUR MISSION
God has called this congregation to courageously represent the Kingdom of God through witness, discipleship and service to others. We take seriously the scriptures, praying and the call to do justice;we have so much love for those who strive for grace, mercy and to walk humbly before God. Here at B.M.B.C we believe in praising, Preaching and Teaching the Gospel to you. We also pledge our lives to Christ and covenant with each other to demonstrate his spirit through Worship, Witnessing and Ministries to the need of the people of this Church and to the community
OUR HISTORY
Bethany Missionary Baptist Church – Since 1896 until Present
The Legacy of Bethany Missionary Baptist Church began in 1896 when a few members of Mount Enon Baptist Church, left to organize a church in the area. The Rev. Benjamin Roberts, his Wife and his son, Mr. Charlie Roberts, Mrs. Easter Boyce, and Mr. & Mrs. Willie (Will) Boyce, Mr. Scott, Boyce, Mrs. Leia Boyce, Ramey Gober and other members not named.
The Church was praying constituted in school house located on the Robert Brothers Plantation in Monroe, Georgia. This plantation was situation on what was called the “Big Road” to Monroe, Georgia and is now known as Snows Mill Road.The first church was constructed in the early 1900’s under the leadership of Rev. Ben Robert and located near the oldest portion of the church cemetery. The Sunday school was started in 1922, the first Sunday School Association was held at Bethany in 1940, the first other Board was organized in 1941, the first piano was purchased in 1944, the first church Pastor Anniversary celebrated with 47 years in 1943.
The second church was constructed in 1945 under the leadership of Rev. R.D. Bizzle he also organized the usher board. This church building was located below the construction that was built in 1946 under the leadership of Rev. Glass. The first son the late B. Z. Daniel of Bethany was ordained and licensed in 1946 and the Deacons at the time were: Deacon Frank Broughton, Chairman, Deacon Doc Baker and Deacon Glenwood Sims.
In 1952 to 1962 under the leadership of Rev. S.E. Beamon, bible class was organized he also reorganized the choir and the vacation bible school.
In 1965 to 1975 there was many other pastors serving. In March of 1975 the Rev. Glass was elected and many changes were made to the second church structure. The exterior was changed from wood to blocks. The entrance doors were changed from the sides to the center, paneling was installed and bathrooms were added. Rev. Glass personally did the installation of the paneling. He organized the Male Chorus, and he served from 1975 to 1978. In February of 1978 Rev. Jones was elected as pastor under his leadership the Church annex was constructed.
In March of 1988, the church members elected Pastor Herschel V. Palmer, III. Under his leadership the church prospered. He was the first to use the title “PASTOR” instead of Reverend. During his years of serve at Bethany, some of the following was accomplished:
*Our worship services went from once a month to full time.
*The Missionary was added to the church name.
*Tithing was instituted instead of monthly dues, and one general treasury was established.
*The August Revival was changed to the week prior to second Sunday.
*The first musical workshop and concert was led by Sister Jeanette Gordon.
*The brotherhood and sisterhood was organized.
*The motherboard was renamed Deaconess Board.
*The youth Department was established, field trips and outings organized.
*Under his leadership 2 Ministers were ordained and 3 evangelists were licensed.
Pastor Palmer’s “Motto was “a church with a vision”. He also had a vision to build a new church and he laid the ground work for this. The land for the church was purchased in July 1991. Blueprints were acquired, and funding set aside. Pastor Palmer left before the actual church structure could be built.
Rev. Calvin L. Mapp, Sr. was elected in 1993. Under his leadership the current church was completed and the first service was held on September 10, 1995. The church van was purchased in 2005. The sanctuary choir formed and the Deaconess Board was changed back to the mother board.
In March 2005, God blessed Bethany with Pastor Willie James Mosley and First Lady Veronica Mosley. He came saying “It’s not about me it’s about Jesus”. On May 27, 2006, Pastor Mosley was consecrated to Bishop and witnessed by his own pastor Bishop Miles Fowler and the Big Miller Grove Baptist Church in Lithonia, Georgia. Under his leadership the outreach ministry and male chorus was reorganized. Bethany’s Women’s Ministry was established in 2008. The Praise Team was organized and fall festival initiated. Bishop Mosley’s vision is to build a youth center where our youth are taught God’s word and they can receive tutoring and other educational services. He also envisions providing service for our senior citizens.
On January 7,2023, We were blessed with Pastor Harith and Sis. Alesia White as our new Pastor and 1st Lady. Their installation service was held Sunday, April 16, 2023. We are so grateful to have him as our Shepherd.
We have celebrated a proud moment in our history on October 24, 2010, by hosting a mortgage burning ceremony. “We are truly blessed” Currently, Bethany has many sons and daughters in the ministry, and we have seven Deacons that serve our church faithfully, thank God for all the men and women that has been called by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ God be the Glory for where we came from and where we are going in Jesus name amen!