Over Six Decades of Ministry
Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the
Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. – Psalm 127:1
1945—1955 The Beginning
- Church organized in the home of Reverend and Mrs. Nathaniel Phanor, 533 Spring Street, Apt. #1F, Richmond CA on April 8, 1945.
- Groundbreaking ceremony was held on June 9, 1945. The Church was erected and a dedication ceremony was held December 9, 1945.
- The cornerstone was laid July 19, 1948.
1955—1965 Rebuilding (Nehemiah 4:6)
- Dr. Abraham Henry Newman became pastor on April 15, 1957.
- New edifice built on May 19, 1964.
1965—1975 Sowing (2 Timothy 2:15)
- Board of Christian Education organized on September 29, 1967.
- Leadership Training School held October 29 through November 3, 1967.
- Active youth development
1975—1985 Nurturing (Matthew 28:18-20)
- Active Evangelistic thrusts
– City-Wide Revivals
– Street Witnessing
– Prison Ministry
– Mortgage Burning on December 20, 1981
1985—1995 Reaping (Mark 15:15)
- Increase in Ministerial Staff
- Increase in members of the Deacon Board
- Two new circles added to the Women’s Ministry
- Pastor Newman served as the 9th President of California State Baptist Convention
- Videotape Ministry added
- Pastor Newman’s 2nd tenure as Moderator of Progressive Baptist Missionary Educational District Association
- Pastor Newman – Chairman of the Board of Directors, National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. under the leadership of Dr. Henry J. Lyons.
1995—2005 Transition (Galatians 6:9)
- Acquisition of two vacant lots adjacent to Church property
- Formation of Junior Red Circle and Sunshine Band in the Women’s Ministry
- Upgraded office equipment and added two conference rooms
- Pastor Newman died December 10, 2003
- Boards of Deacons and Trustees reorganized
- Church Bylaws were drafted and adopted August 30, 2004
- Membership Care Teams organized
- Pulpit Search Committee formed
- New entrance doors purchased by Decoration Committee
- Administrative Guidelines Committee formed
- Election Process Committee formed
- Tamar Circle added to the Women’s Ministry
- Purchased building adjacent to Church property
- Bethlehem was the recipient of a complete 2-bedroom household of furniture – most of which was given to a Katrina Disaster Relief family
- One of the Church members was a Red Cross Volunteer in the Katrina disaster areas
2006 We’ve Only Just Begun
| Area | Activity |
|---|---|
| Ministry/Discipleship | New Members’ Orientation Workbook New Members’ Orientation Workshops New Members’ Orientation Ministry Staff Increase New Members’ Orientation Luncheon & Celebration Leadership Conferences/Retreats Leadership Development Classes Experiencing God Classes Jesus On Leadership Classes Prayer Clinic Pre-Lenten Stewardship Revival Four Months to Greatness Campaign Youth Crusade Praise Dance Ministry Workshop Reorganized Praise Dance Ministry Church Anniversary Revival Pastor’s Bible Study Audio Visual Ministry Music Workshops and Concerts Delegation sent to Bay Area Sunday School Conference (BASS) Organized Church Security Ministry Organized Courtesy Transportation Ministry BMBC 1st Annual Liberty Fest Church School Leadership Clinics Revived the Children’s Church Ministry Reorganized the Church School Ministry Reorganized the Women’s Ministry Organized Grief Ministry for Mothers Who Have Lost A Child Reorganized Youth Ministry Reorganized Birthday Recognition Ministry Held a Better Bethlehem Conference Organized a Health Ministry Delegation to MAAFA in New York Restructured Church School—now known as Christian Empowerment Hour Established a Witness on Wednesday (WOW) – Noon and 7 pm weekly Organized School of Prophets Class for Ministers Outreach: HEAL Conference Court Advocacy Workshop Partnered With Contra Costa College – Foster Kinship Care Classes Developing a Partnership with University of California Berkeley Breast Cancer Awareness Seminar Financial Healing Workshop Financial Freedom Conference with Citi-Bank and Healthy Richmond Community Organization Training with PICO Created a BMBC Community Garden BMBC Organizing Committee renamed Nehemiah Ministry Community Organization Training with RNCO Greater Richmond Interfaith Project Workshop Voter Registration Prison Ministry Prayer in Community Suppoarted Tent City Visited and Supported Richmond Museum Supported Bethel Temple Building Program General outreach assistance to members and others Breast Cancer Walk-a-Thon BMBC Community Health Fair Participation in National Diabetes Sunday Resource Ministry Cell Phone Drive Guitars Not Guns Days of Forgiveness Conference Planted a BMBC Community Garden |
| Campus/Worship Center | Remodeled the Vestibule Area Reframed Pastors’ Pictures New Church Sign Added Handicap Parking Marguerite Newman Room remodeled and dedicated Sanctuary Lights ordered and installed Ernestine Simington Learning Center envisioned and dedicated New Lights and Fans in Fellowship Hall Black Heritage Pictures Church-Wide cleanups Building Plans developed and approved for Pulpit Renovation Pastor’s Suite Renovated and Furnished Chairs donated for Fellowship Hall Desks donated for offices Purchased Drums Purchased New Microphones and Speakers Remodeled three classrooms Audio Visual Equipment upgraded Audio Visual Room revamped Purchased a Safe Computer Lab Administrative Office remodeled Restoration of Cornerstone and Enhancement of area as a Memorial Garden Installed Monitor in Vestibule Upgraded the Sound System Upgraded the Electrical |
| Civic | Participated in Parolee Orientation Supported CCISCO Faith-Based Leadership Training Supported PAL Robinson-Weeks-Robinson Scholarship Fund, Inc. Coordination of Kennedy High School Banquet Election Voting Facility Provided transportation to Voting Facility Recognition of Business Women in the Community |
| Denominational | Hosted Sessions for Progressive Baptist Missionary Educational District Association (PBMEDA) Pastor Elected Vice-Moderator for PBMEDA Pastor Appointed Chairperson of Pastor’s Division for California State Baptist Convention (CSBC) Supported Richmond Baptist Ministers Conference KBPPI Conference in Detroit Participation in the MAAFA Vernadine Randle and Etta Merida elected Presidents of Women and Ushers Auxiliary, respectively. |
| Worship | Lenten Gleaners Lenten Revival Maundy Thursday Foot Washing Ceremony Modified Worship with Fellowship, Men Observance, Birthday Observance, Praise Emphasis Evening of Love (Valentine’s Day) First Woman to Preach from BMBC Pulpit Professor Szmon from Poland in Concert at BMBC Held an Obama Pride Sunday |