About Us

Our Leaders

“Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.”

Jeremiah 3:15 NIV

Rev. Dr. Caesar Roland Richburg is the Pastor of Bethel A.M.E. Church located in Columbia, South Carolina. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry and Biology from Claflin University in Orangeburg, S.C.; a Master of Science Degree in Administration from the University of Missouri in Kansas City, Missouri; a Master of Divinity Degree in theology from Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Missouri; and a Doctor of Ministry Degree from the Hood Theological Seminary in Salisbury, North Carolina. He declares “I am among you as one who serves.” (Luke 22:27 NLT) He has been privileged to serve Bethel A.M.E. Church as Senior Pastor since November of 2016 and previously served for 10 years as Senior Pastor of Williams Chapel A.M.E. Church in Orangeburg, S. C. and 18 years as Pastor of Allen Temple A.M.E. Church in Greenville, S.C. His passion for the well-being of people is the driving force behind his ministry. He has been privileged to participate in many international and community events aimed at bringing people closer to God. He is called upon to teach and mentor throughout the Church. He has founded non-profit Economic Development Corporations to serve communities and has served the boards of numerous public organizations. Bethel means “house of God.” The mission is to welcome home those who feel they are spiritually homeless to empower them in a Christian community of Real People, Real Love, and Real Relationships, so they can discover and use their spiritual gifts, practice the teachings of Jesus Christ, and serve others to build up the Body of Christ.

 

 

 

Pastor Caesar R. Richburg

“I am among you as one who serves.” (Luke 22:27 NLT)

THE MINISTERIAL STAFF

 

 

The Reverend Colé  Weathers

Assistant Minister

THE Reverend Norman Duckett

Senior Ministry 

The Reverend Nicholas Chambers

Youth Ministry

The Reverend Mary Frances Wilson

Associate Minister, The Shepherd’s Corner Outreach Ministry  of Bethel 

 THE Reverend Betty Wannamaker 

 Congregational Care 

 

 

 

 The Reverend Robert Cleckley Retired 

 Brother Reggie McKnight Licentiate 

 

Service Ministries

  1. Acolytes
  2. Audio and Visual Ministry
  3. Bulletin Board Ministry
  4. Commission on Public Relations
  5. Commission on Stewardship and Finance
  6. Computer Services/Information Technology (IT) Ministry
  7. Decorating Ministry
  8. Food Service Ministry
  9. Floral Ministry
  10. Greeters
  11.  Music Ministry
  12. Nursery Ministry
  13. Pulpit Aid Board
  14. Steward Board
  15. Stewardess Board
  16. Transportation Ministry
  17. Trustee Board
  18. Usher Boards (Senior, Adult, Men, Youth)

SOCIAL Ministries

  1. AME Women’s Ministry 
  2. Boy Scouts Ministry
  3. Children’s & Teens Church
  4. Children/Youth Choir 
  5. Christian Debutantes-Master Commission
  6. Dance/Drama Ministry 
  7. Girl Scouts Ministry
  8. Married Couples Ministry
  9. Military Families Ministry
  10. MORE Justice
  11. Senior Adults Ministry (Live, Learn, Love)
  12. Sons of Allen (Men’s Ministry)
  13. Women’s Missionary Society  
  14. Young Adults Ministry 
  15. Youth Ministry (B.L.A.S.T) 
  16. Young People Division and Children’s Division (YPD)

Teaching Ministries

  1. Bible Studies
  2. Church School 
  3. Class Leaders’ Council
  4. Commission on Christian Education
  5. Commission on Christian Social Action – MORE Justice
  6. Commission on Health and Wellness
  7. Commission on Membership and Evangelism
  8. Congregational Life and Care Ministry
  9. Education and Promotion
  10. Evangelism Ministry
  11. Good News Club 
  12. Grief Crisis Ministry
  13. Intercessory Prayer Ministry
  14. Lay Organization Ministry
  15. New Members Training
  16.  

 

HISTORIC BETHEL

1528 SUMTER STREET COLUMBIA SOUTH CAROLINA 29201

[Historic] Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church is significant as the work of John Anderson Lankford, one of the first registered African American architects in the United States, and official architect for the A.M.E. Church.  Read more …

BETHEL LEARNING CENTERS

819 WOODROW STREET, COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA 29205

Since 1995, Bethel Learning Centers has served the families of Columbia by providing high-quality care and education that honors young children as a gift of God. The organization of our learning environment, the instructional materials, and the curriculum prepare children for elementary school and beyond. We provide a safe and nurturing environment, where children learn, grow, and thrive spiritually, intellectually, academically, socially, emotionally, and physically. Our teachers relate to our children and our parents. Our Parents Portal  (coming soon) will engage parents in the discovery of the fascinating world of learning and playing.  Read more…

 

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