My name is Kevin McLeod and I am the pastor at First Baptist Church Bethel Springs, Tennessee. I want to personally invite you to visit with us and see what God is doing in our church and through our people. We want you to feel at home. I believe you will find a warm and welcoming congregation and you will hear a message from God’s Word. If the Lord is stirring your heart toward a church home, we would love for you to consider First Baptist Church Bethel Springs. If you have any questions about our church, please feel free to contact me by email pastor@firstbaptistbethel.com, by phone (731) 934-4209, or in person during your visit. I look forward to seeing you soon!
Bro. Kevin
On a Sunday Morning...
We have a free breakfast each week in our Family Life Center. Come and join us for a bite!
We have Sunday school classes for all ages. Come and hear some good teaching!
We have a blended style of worship. Singing some songs, shaking some hands, and some biblical preaching by our pastor.
We have a nursery and children's church available. Your child will be loved and cared for so that you can focus during the service.
What We Believe
First Baptist Church Bethel Springs is a gathering of people who have a passion for Jesus and a purpose to make Him known.
At First Baptist Church Bethel Springs, we believe everyone is on a journey related to Faith, whether you are still waiting to get started, new on the journey, or a seasoned traveler.
We see ourselves as a church Family and we would love to walk along side you as we journey together, desiring to go as the Lord guides us.
We believe in Fellowship and coming together for support and encouragement as we travel the road of life leading to the eternal life that is ours through our Lord Jesus Christ.
We believe, preach, and teach the inerrant, infallible, and inspired Word of God.
We believe that Jesus is the only Way to salvation. John 14:6
We believe our Work is to serve Him in obedience and faithfulness and make Him known to our neighbors and the nations.
We believe that Worship is not only what we do when we gather on Sundays and Wednesdays, but it is an attitude of our hearts and action of our lives as we leave and go out into the mission field that is all around us.
We believe a church that is alive is worth the drive! Come join us and find out.
Sometime between 1942 and 1945 God laid a burden on Bro. J.T. Carter's heart to start a Southern Baptist work here in Bethel Springs. As Bro. Carter prayed, the Lord began to work and a council was formed to do a town survey on the interest for a place of worship. After the completion of the survey, they were tasked with finding a place of worship. Rev. & Mrs. J.T. Carter felt as though God had laid on their hearts to open their home on Masseyville Road for this need, and they even tore out a wall in the living room to make more space.
On March 25, 1945, First Baptist Church of Bethel Springs was organized with 13 Charter members. As the work grew, it became evident that the Carter's home would not withstand the size of God's work in Bethel Springs. Mr. F.F. Mitchell graciously donated to the church a building lot in downtown Bethel Springs. It took approximately 2 ½ years to construct the new facility that would seat up to 150 people in worship.
After moving into the new location in 1948, a full church program was forged with Sunday School, Discipleship Training, Worship, and a Visitation Program. It was not until October 1, 1952 that the church was officially named First Baptist Church of Bethel Springs.
In 1963, a need for a larger facility once again became obvious. The group of believers prayed for guidance. Mr. & Mrs. W.F. Mitchell, acting on faith, gifted the church a parcel of property and then the church purchased the adjoining lot for $250 to construct a new facility. In 1966, the congregation began to worship in this new facility, (that is now the children's hall,) and the building was dedicated on April 24,1966.
In 1977 the church felt the need for a parsonage to be built, and the first pastor to occupy the new parsonage was Bro. James Towery and his family. Under Bro. Towery's leadership the fellowship hall was built and education space was renovated. Following the completion of the fellowship hall the church voted to build a new worship facility. This took place in the early 1980's. Bro. Frank Hardy acted as General Contractor on behalf of the church. The first worship service held in the new sanctuary was in 1982. On November 10, 1991 the church celebrated the retirement of debt by having a note burning ceremony.
As the church continued to grow, the church leadership saw a need for a Family Life Center to be built. Construction of the FLC took place in 2000. The Family Life Center is now the home to so many of our ministry activities. Later in 2012, the final addition to the church was made when the bathrooms and classrooms were added to the front of the Sanctuary.
It is important for us to remember our history and those who made a way before us. Everyone God sent here to be a part of this body of believers was and is an important part of the ongoing work here. For 80 years First Baptist Church of Bethel Springs has sought the Lord's guidance and continues to do so today. The mission remains the same, to serve the Lord and love the community of Bethel Springs.
