Ministries

Acolytes – Brenda Brown/Margo Koger/Connie Gibson

This ministry uses young children as candle lighters at the beginning and end of each worship service.  This provides young church members with another opportunity to participate in the Sunday morning worship service.

AME Women’s Ministry – Ella Richburg

The Women’s ministry is a fellowship through which African Methodist Episcopal women can enhance their sense of belonging to the church through discipleship, outreach, comradeship, and fellowship, especially with other women.

Audio and Visual Ministry – Al Cocklin/Clint Scoville (photography)

The Audio and Visual Ministry manages the church’s photography, audio/visual equipment for church programs, records audio/visual CDs, and DVDs of special services, etc.

Bible Studies – Reverends Caesar Richburg/Cole Weathers/Beverly Manigo and Sisters Ruby Brown and Tami Ashford-Carroll

Bible Study provides an extensive study on an organized basis.  Classes are structured now to reach students of varying levels of Bible knowledge and to cover specific topics each week.  Classes are offered each Wednesday night: Family Bible Study @ 6:00 pm -7:15 pm and Community Noon-Day Bible Study on Thursday @12:00 pm.

Boy Scouts Ministry TBA

The purpose of scouting programs is to provide leadership development while building courage, confidence and godly character.

Bulletin Board Ministry – TBA

The Bulletin Board Ministry will oversee all church bulletin boards.  This ministry will not only decorate boards but also provides guidelines for posting and decorating.

Children’s Church –  Rev. Nicholas Chambers/Dan Carroll/Euella Flemming/Chelsea Barbee

The purpose of children’s church is to provide a foundation, through teaching at a level that they can comprehend, whereby a child is taught and encouraged to live a life as a believer in Christ.

Christian Debutantes-Masters – Crystal Tolbert

This ministry introduces young people to Christian society and celebrates their transition to adulthood reinforced through Christian education.

Church School – Tami Ashford-Carroll/Laurene Davis

Church School provides classes for all ages – not just children.  The classes are designed to provide a comprehensive and challenging look at God’s Word and how to make God’s Word become alive in a person’s daily life.  Vacation Bible School is also offered through the church school administrative structure.

Class Leaders’ Council – Laurene Davis

The Class Leaders Ministry System provides the church with an important connection with all members while providing for the ministerial needs of the congregation.  The class system allows people to be an active and knowledgeable part of the community. It is sometimes referred to as cell groups, the church in the home, community ministry, or small group ministry.  Qualified leaders help individuals gain further insight into God’s work through interactions with the membership as well as personal application of God’s Word in their daily life.

 

Commission on Christian Education – Ann Shepard Winstead/Rosa Shepard

This ministry primarily provides an atmosphere to motivate Christians to become effective workers by creating a church learning environment to (1) stimulate and enhance knowledge of, interpretation of, and (2) living and doing the Word, thus promoting Christian growth, development, and service.

 

Commission on Christian Social Action  – Attorney Joshua Koger/Barbara Code

The purpose of the social action ministry is to inform and engage the church community and community at large on issues pertaining to the justice system, voter participation, etc. MORE Justice is a network of faith-based congregations with a charge to empower marginalized people by addressing serious community-wide problems through direct action, including local officials accountable for resolving inequities and injustices.

 

Commission on Health and Wellness – Wilma White/Dennis Wilson, MD

The health and wellness ministry promotes good health education and awareness and assists individuals in becoming active participants in their own health maintenance.

Commission on Membership and Evangelism – Nathaniel Brown/Rev. Caesar Richburg

The purpose of the ministry includes establishing goals for the growth of the church by increasing membership and discipling others to experience a growing relationship with God.

Commission on Public Relations – Jacquelyn Cunningham

The public relations/communications ministry provides a vehicle for two-way communication so that members of BC and the community are aware of the many activities and services offered by the church.  The ministry maintains good and working relationships with all church organizations, outside agencies, and media outlets within the community. A major goal is also to disseminate information essential to the success of church programs, using various media.

Commission on Stewardship and Finance – Loretta Thomas

The Commission of Stewardship and Finance promotes and cultivates Christian Stewardship and administers the financial program of the church. The Stewardship Ministry promotes stewardship as the Christian lifestyle.  The Ministry is concerned with educating all members as to their responsibilities as Christians and teaches the giving of time, talent, and tithes in response to God’s grace.  The Stewardship Ministry is responsible for the church’s annual stewardship drive.

Computer Services Ministry/Information Technology (IT) – TBA

Materials Information Services (MIS) professionals come together to use their technical skills in data entry and computer programming on the church’s computer system.

 

Congregational Life and Care Ministry – Rev. Betty Wannamaker

The mission of this ministry is to provide care and support to families and individuals in a personal and compassionate way according to their needs.

Dance/Drama Ministry – Shelia Kelly

The liturgical dance ministry seeks to proclaim the Word of God through the biblical medium of dance. The ministry praises God at special services and church events.

 

Decorating Ministry – Laverne Jackson

The decorating ministry is responsible for decorating the church for the seasons, holidays, and other special occasions by creating a warm, inviting, and welcoming church atmosphere.

Education and Promotion – Patrice Bryant/Lynn Hutto

This ministry strives to recognize and reward the academic achievement of BC members from elementary age through adulthood.  The program gives awards for graduation and other academic achievements as well as counsel youth about higher education opportunities. The ministry also provides limited financial assistance to church members who desire to attend institutions of higher learning with scholarships.

Evangelism Ministry – Rev. Beverly Manigo/Ruby Brown

The Evangelism Ministry is responsible for spreading God’s Word and works throughout the church and community.  The ministry is particularly concerned with reaching persons who are un-churched.  This ministry reaches the prisons, the homeless, the battered, and the downtrodden.  Their goal is to win souls for Christ.

 

Intercessory Prayer Ministry

The purpose of this ministry is to set aside a specific time to pray on behalf of others.

Food Service Ministry – Rev. Mary F. Wilson

The Food Service Ministry oversees the preparation of food and/or refreshments for various church functions.

Floral Ministry – Brenda Brown/Connie Gibson

This ministry oversees the floral ministry and encourages members to place floral arrangements in the church as memorials in honor or in memory of a loved one during the year and ensures that the memorials are acknowledged in church announcements. This ministry is also responsible for adorning the church during special seasons and occasions.

Girl Scouts Ministry – Marilyn Johnson

The purpose of scouting programs is to provide leadership development while building courage, confidence, and godly character.

Good News Club – Brenda Brown/Margo Koger

The purpose of the Club is to evangelize boys and girls with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and establish (disciple) them in the Word of God and in a local church for Christian living. An elementary school within Richland School District One is adopted by the church to be served by this ministry.

Greeters – Brenda Brown/Sandra Patterson

Working collaboratively with the ushers, greeters help establish an atmosphere of friendliness and warmth.  God’s love for people is communicated through those who greet visitors and others with joy and sincerity as they enter the worship services, as needed.

Grief Crisis Ministry Brenda Brown/Dale Brown/Donna Young

The grief ministry counsels, comforts, and primarily supports those members of the congregation and their families during periods of bereavement.  They offer spiritual as well as practical support during this most difficult period.

Lay Organization Ministry – Warnell Rhett

Some basic objectives of the Lay Organization include: To create a love and appreciation for the principles of African Methodism; to keep alive the memory of Richard Allen; to respect constituted authority; to stimulate and educate the Laity in the total program of the church; to study the discipline and learn the laws of the church, and o teach and practice Stewardship and to work with the youth to teach them Methodism.

Married Couples Ministry – Deanna Taylor/David Taylor

The purpose of the married couples’ ministry is to strengthen and build Godly marriages through biblical teachings, principles and fellowship.

Military Families Ministry – Gerri Wise

The purpose of this ministry is to know and recognize/celebrate military members and their families and to become aware of their needs as well as provide opportunities for fellowship with the church community.

 Women’s Missionary Society  – Laurene Davis

The Women’s Missionary Ministry Society (WMS) of the African Methodist Episcopal Church exists to:

(1) help women and youth grow in the knowledge of God and Christian experience through Jesus Christ; promote fellowship with women of other lands through cooperative relationships and (3) Foster missionary activities of the local church and overseas. The structure of the WMS is connectional, Episcopal District, Conference Branch Area, and Local Societies, in addition to the Young People Division (YPD). Some of the current activities of the Bethel Church’s WMS include assistance in local shelters for the homeless, the clothes closet, giving Thanksgiving baskets to the needy, visiting the sick and shut-in, and other caring activities.

Music Ministry – Curtis Coles

The Music Ministry is dedicated to worshipping God by proclaiming His glory with a joyful noise.

The Children/Youth Choir – Crystal Tolbert/Felicia Sellers

New Member Training – Reverends Caesar R. Richburg and Norman Duckett

The purpose of this ministry is to disciple new members into the church. A series of classes are offered to new members to orient them to the church polity, the structure, and ministries.

Nursery Ministry – TBA

The nursery provides care for children up to seven (7) years old during regular worship service.

 

Pulpit Aid Board – Connie Gibson

The purpose of the ministry is to provide supplies or other items the pastor may need for the pulpit, such as providing water, preparing for Sunday services and honoring/celebrating the church leadership aligned with his/her preferences.

Senior Adult Ministry (Live, Learn, Love) – Pat Outlaw

This ministry, known as the Live, Love, and Learn Ministry, promotes strong participation by older members (50 plus) of the congregation in all areas of the church by making them more visible in church life and to use their wisdom and experience as a stronghold for a stronger, more stable church family.  Senior members are encouraged to be a part of and support the overall church mission. (The Senior Ministry also provides a social environment for its members through avenues such as senior programs, trips, educational opportunities, monthly brunches, and fundraisers to support scholarships.)

Steward Board – Loretta Thomas, Chair, Pro Tempore

Stewards are responsible for spiritual care and oversight of the church.  They serve as members of the Pastor’s Cabinet as partners in the Ministry.  As overseers of the financial obligations of the church,

they also model biblical truths and are committed to shepherding, teaching, exhorting, and praying for the sick.  Additionally, this ministry makes sure the needs of the Pastor and his family are provided for.

 

Sons of Allen – (Men’s Ministry) – Kenard Dubose

The Sons of Allen/Men’s Club is a fellowship through which African Methodist men can enhance their sense of belonging to the church, develop manpower in the congregation, and become recruiters of other men for discipleship and enhance the ministry, comradeship, and fellowship of the church.

Stewardess – Ladonna David Harvin

The Stewardesses’ main function is to assist the Stewards in the discharge of their duties such as appropriately administering the Holy sacraments (Holy Communion, Holy Baptism.) They are to prepare the elements for the Holy communion service and provide a bowl of water for the Holy Baptism.

Transportation Ministry – Ekeman Montgomery/Kenard Dubose

The purpose of this ministry is to provide transportation for church members and community members to enable them to access programs, events, or services.  Transportation is often provided to seniors, the youth ministry, and the general congregation, both locally and for out-of-town purposes.

Trustee Board – James Jackson, Chair, Pro Tempore

Trustees in the African Methodist Episcopal Church have the responsibility of all church property. This includes management, maintenance, development, and use of property under the direction of the church’s Official Board for the support of the programs approved by the congregation.

Usher Boards

The purpose of the ministry is to create an atmosphere of order in a welcoming manner.

Usher Board – Senior – Veronica Pack

Usher Board – Adult – Loretta Thomas

Usher Board – Men – A. J. Cox

Usher Board – Youth – Frazella Stroman/Karen Cocklin

Vacation Bible School – Tami Ashford Carroll/Candra Chambers

The primary purpose of Vacation Bible School (VBS) is reaching children for Christ. Adults are also included. VBS is a Summer evening event that includes Bible lessons, crafts, games, and singing. It runs from Monday to Friday, with a closing program for the participants as well as parents, grandparents, relatives, and visitors on Friday evening.

Young Adult Ministry – Jacquelyn Cunningham, Albertus Cocklin III

The purpose of this ministry, whose members are 19-41 years of age, is to promote and engage Young Adults in a way that is deeply, deliberately, and spiritually liberating, empowering, and loving. The ministry seeks to aid its members in applying Christian principles to enrich the Church as emerging leaders, as well as engage in outreach to the surrounding communities.

Young People’s Division (YPD) Eulela Flemming

The purpose of the YPD is to (1) provide meaningful youth training programs in all areas of church life for the participation in the total mission of the church to include youth retreats, vacation bible school, Church School, recreational trips, Super Bowl of Caring, special projects; (2) to provide specific training to increase knowledge of the A.M.E. history and the scriptures and (3) to provide opportunities for leadership experience.

Youth Ministries – Rev. Nicholas Chambers, Youth Pastor

The purpose of the youth ministry is to coordinate all ministries of the church pertaining to youth ages 4 – 18. The ministry is called “Bethel B. L. A. S. T Ministry” – “Biblical Learning Around Spiritual Truths”.  The vision is to create a unified Youth Ministry that works cohesively to address and promote the spiritual, social, educational, and physical needs of the youth of the church and surrounding community.