Welcome, Bethel AME Church

Reverend Bobby Bernard Cox, Jr. Pastor

The Rev. Bobby Bernard Cox, Jr., was born in Rochester, New York, yet stems from the nurturing roads of Ashford, Alabama, where it was instilled in him the importance of hearing and heeding to the voice of God. He is the devoted husband of Reverend Angie Crawford Cox, and they are the parents of two children and the grandparents of one.

A Faithful Leader ...

Pastor Bobby B. Cox, Jr., whom we affectionately call Pastor Bob, is a life-long African Methodist. He has been in the Pastoral Ministry since 1985 and has served the church in various capacities. He has served on the Board of Examiners as the Chairman, Conference Treasurer, Episcopal District Finance Co-Chairperson, and Ministerial Efficiency Committee. He has been a delegate to the 1988, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012 (Co-Leader of the Delegation), 2016, 2021, and 2024 General Conferences; and a General Board Member in 1996-2000 and 2012-2017.

He has served as the Pastor of the following churches: White Oak, Eufaula, Alabama (1985-1986); Shiloh, Clayton, Alabama (1985-1990); Tabernacle, Clayton, Alabama (1988-1990); St. Luke, Eufaula, Alabama (1990-1992); Greater St. Pau, Troy, Alabama (1992-2001); St. John, Downtown Birmingham, Alabama (2001-2005); Bethel, Mobile, Alabama (2005-2017); Mt. Calvary, Towson, Maryland (2017-2024); and currently he serves as the Pastor of Bethel, Columbia, South Carolina.

A Living Example ...

He had the distinguished honor of following the Reverend Doctor P. H. Lewis, who served as the pastor of Bethel AMEC in Mobile, Alabama for thirty-five (35) years and the Reverend Doctor Ann Lightner-Fuller, who served as the Pastor of Mount Calvary for thirty-one (31) years.

Pastor Bob earned the Bachelor of Science degree from Troy State University (formerly Troy State College), Troy, Alabama and the Master of Divinity degree from Turner Theological Seminary at The Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia.

Pastor Bob has been the recipient of numerous awards, honors, and accolades, but what he treasures most is being obedient to the calling God has placed upon his life.

He tries daily to exemplify what it means to be a faithful leader and a living example by walking according to the will of God.

Service Missions & Ministries

Acolytes Ministry
Audio and Visual Ministry
Bulletin Board Ministry
Commission on Stewardship and Finance
Community Garden
Decorating Ministry
Hospitality Ministry
Food Pantry
Floral Ministry
Greeters Ministry
Music & Worship Arts Ministry
Pulpit Aid Board
Steward Board
Stewardess Board
Trustee Board
Usher Boards (Senior, Adult, Men & Youth)

Social Missions & Ministries

AME Women’s Ministry
Bethel Walking Group
Boy Scouts Ministry
Children/Youth Choir
Christian Debutantes-Masters Commission
Commission on Christian Social Action - MORE Justice
Education and Promotion Day
Family & Friends Day
Fathers Day
Girl Scouts Ministry
Live, Learn, Love Senior Ministry
Mothers Day
Senior Adults Ministry (Live, Learn, Love)
Sons of Allen Men’s Ministry
Veterans Day
Women's Weekend
Women’s Missionary Society
Young People's and Children's Division (YPD)

Teaching Missions & Ministries

Balm In Gilead - National Diabetes Prevention Program
Bethel B.L.A.S.T.
Bethel S.P.R.O.U.T.S
Bible Studies
Church School
Class Leaders’ Council
Commission on Christian Education
Commission on Health and ellness
Commission on Membership and Evangelism
Congregational Life and Care Ministry
Evangelism Ministry
Good News Club
GriefShare Ministry
Intercessory Prayer Ministry
Lay Organization Ministry
New Members Training
Vacation Bible School

WHAT WE BELIEVE

“God Our Father, Christ Our Redeemer, the Holy Spirit Our Comforter, Humankind Our Family” is a great summary of what the African Methodist Episcopal Church believes."

THE MOTTO OF THE AME CHURCH

WHAT WE BELIEVE

"I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only son our Lord who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead; and buried. The third day he arose from the dead’ he ascended into heaven and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Church Universal, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Amen."

THE APOSTLE'S CREED

WHAT WE BELIEVE

"There is but one living and true God, everlasting, without body or parts, of infinite power, wisdom and goodness; the maker and preserver of all things, both visible and invisible. And in unity of this God-head, there are three persons of one substance, power and eternity; the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost."

THE FAITH IN THE HOLY TRINITY

WHAT WE BELIEVE

"The Son, who is the Word of the Father, the very and eternal God, of one substance with the Father, took man’s nature in the womb of the blessed Virgin; so that two whole and perfect natures, that is to say, the God-head and manhood, were joined together in one person, never to be divided, whereof is one Christ, very God and very man, who suffered, was crucified, dead and buried, to reconcile his Father to us, and to be a sacrifice, not only for original guilt, but also for actual sins of men."

THE WORD OR SON OF GOD, WHO WAS MADE VERY MAN

WHAT WE BELIEVE

"Christ did truly rise from the dead, and took again his body with all things appertaining to the perfection of man’s nature, wherewith he ascended into heaven, and sitteth until he returns to judge all men at last day."

THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST

WHAT WE BELIEVE

"The Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father and the Son, is of one substance, majesty and glory with the Father and the Son, very and eternal God."

THE HOLY GHOST

WHAT WE BELIEVE

"The Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation; so that whatever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man, that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation. In the name of the Holy Scriptures, we do understand those canonical books of the Old and New Testament, of whose authority was never any doubt in the Church."

THE SUFFICIENCY OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES FOR SALVATION

WHAT WE BELIEVE

LEARN MORE AT WWW.AME-CHURCH.COM

Bethel AME Church

819 Woodrow Street, Columbia SC | Rev. Bobby B. Cox, Jr., Pastor

Reverend Bobby Bernard Cox, Jr. Pastor

A Faithful Leader ...

A Living Example ...

HISTORIC BETHEL

1528 SUMTER STREET COLUMBIA SOUTH CAROLINA 29201

BETHEL LEARNING CENTERS

819 WOODROW STREET, COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA 29205

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WHAT WE BELIEVE

WHAT WE BELIEVE

WHAT WE BELIEVE

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WHAT WE BELIEVE

Real People. Real Love. Real Relationships.