
The church was
originally organized in 1929 under the leadership of Elder H.
C. Samuels and members of Miami, FL. A storm came and destroyed
the structure and all records. With dismay and disappointment,
Elder Samuels returned to Miami.
In 1936, a few
years later, after the first attempt to organize the church, a
small group of members met to organize the church. The meeting
was a success and the church was reorganized. The officers at
the time of the reorganization were Deacon H. Upshaw, Deacon W.
McNair, trustees, Mother Bryant, and Mother Queen Upshaw. Services
were held in the home of Deacon and Mother Upshaw until the church
was built at 1000 N. W. 10th Avenue and 6th Street (Sistrunk Blvd.)
Elder M. L. Vaughn
was the first pastor after the reorganization of the church. Other
devout christian preachers that this church has had as pastors
were Elders Gallon, Martin, M. G. Hall, William Payne, J. S. Snelling,
and H. K. Kinsey. After Elder J. S. Snelling was elected pastor
in 1957, the membership increased and he saw the need for a larger
building. In 1958 land was purchased at 1100 N. W. 29th Terr.
in Fort Lauderdale, FL and the church was built.
Elder H. K. Kinsey
was elected pastor in September 1960. Under Elder Kinsey’s
leadership, the fellowship hall and baptismal pool was built.
Elder L. V. Hobbs
was elected pastor in 1972. He served New Bethel faithfully as
pastor for 38 years until he was called home to be with his Lord
on May 28, 2011. Under his leadership the church experienced spiritual
and numerical growth, capital improvements were made to the building,
and four lots were purchased for parking.
After the loss
of our beloved Elder Hobbs, New Bethel went through a transitional
phase and Elder John Henry Everett assumed the role of interim
pastor from May 2011-December 2013.
In September of
2013 the church elected Elder Jaymes Mooney of Nashville, TN as
their next pastor, and he graciously accepted. We achieved great
things under his leadership. The church witnessed God use him
in a powerful way. New Bethel’s new mission is to “
Change Lives in a R.E.A.L. Way.” The vision of New Bethel
is to provide ministry that is Relevant, Evangelistic, Authentic,
and Loving. In three years of leadership, the congregation has
experienced significant growth both spiritually and numerically.
He has also led the congregation to capital improvements to the
church sanctuary and community centered projects. Elder Mooney
remained at New Bethel until March 2017. He was blessed with an
opportunity to move closer to home. With prayer, he accepted the
assignment as Senior Pastor at Saint Bartley Primitive Baptist
Church in Huntsville, Alabama with God’s blessings.
In March 2017,
New Bethel elected Elder John Henry Everett as interim pastor
and he amicably accepted. Elder Everett is continuing God’s
will by teaching the Word, visiting and communing the sick and
shut-ins.
There was once
a strong storm that destroyed our building, but that did not break
us. We have experienced tragedies and trials, but that did not
shake us. There even were times Satan threw his fiery darts, but
even that did not overtake us. To God be the glory for the great
things He has done, He has done marvelous things, Praise the Lord!