On April 30, 1968, a group of people met in a store building on HWY 117 north of Goldsboro for the purpose of organizing and establishing a church where the full gospel of Jesus Christ might be preached and practiced. It was at that time that Bethel Temple was organized by Brother C.R. Holder with 30 charter members.
Within a year, we had outgrown that building and in February of 1969, God blessed and enabled us to move into the old Presbyterian Church building on James St. in downtown Goldsboro. We then launched a building program which enabled us to purchase this tract of land at 2308 N. William St. The indebtedness on this property was paid off in March of 1971.
The final phase of our building program at that point and time became a reality in July of 1972. It was then that the foundation was laid and the construction of our new place of worship began.
From July of 1972 until May of 1973, God wonderfully blessed, guided, and strengthened the men of our church as they worked so faithfully and untiringly during their off hours and in their free time in order to erect this House of Worship and Praise as it had been ordained by God. God also blessed us with many members and friends who stood behind us with their prayers and with their uncountable deeds of good will.
On May 20, 1973, our hopes and dreams came true and above all, our many prayers were answered as approximately 600 people gathered here for our Dedication Services.
Through the years that have followed, God has blessed and enabled us to acquire more property for growth and expansion and also to make many improvements to our facilities. Some of these include:

1976 – Mr. Williams of Goldsboro, NC gave to the church approximately 18,500 worth of property which joined our original property on the north side.

1980 – God blessed and enabled us to purchase the adjacent property on our south side. This property included over 200 ft of road frontage plus a 4500 sq. ft. building.

1982 – The building on our south side was renovated to serve as our fellowship hall. It also houses pastor’s offices, Sunday School rooms, a kitchen, and restrooms. This building was dedicated on December 18, 1982.

1985 – The fellowship hall was bricked and a covered walkway connecting the two buildings was erected.

1986 – After much prayerful consideration, the membership voted to change the name of our church to Bethel Church. During the same year, the indebtedness on the main building was paid off and Brother Steve Holder became our Associate Pastor.

1987 – The sanctuary was completely remodeled. Beams were added, pews were refurbished and recovered, and new carpet was installed. The first service in our new sanctuary was held April 19, 1987.

1991 – A new roof was constructed on the rear of the main building.

1993 – The old shrubbery was removed and new plants were placed around the main building.

1994 – The indebtedness was paid off on the fellowship hall.

1996 – A new grand piano was given to the church in memory of Sister Sarah Brown. This was a gift from her family. During this year we also purchased an organ and a van.

1998 – After serving as associate pastor for 12 years, Brother Steve became our pastor. New air conditioning units were also installed during this year.

2000 – The lot and house behind the fellowship hall was purchased. On June 11, 2000, ground-breaking was held for our new multi- purpose building. Construction began on this building in July. Future plans include the remodeling or rebuilding of our present sanctuary and additional parking spaces.

December 31, 2000 - Grand Opening of Family Life Center Spring

2001 - Remodeling of Administration and Education Building that served formerly as Fellowship Hall. Spring

2001 - Organization of Bethel Church, Dominican Republic.

Fall 2001 - Purchased new van.

2002 - Broke ground of new sanctuary for Bethel Assembly, Domincan Republic

Summer 2002 - Site Plan approval of new sanctuary for Bethel Church.

December 2002 - Ground breaking ceremonies for the New Sanctuary.

November 23, 2003 - First service was held in the new Sanctuary.

January 4, 2004 - Dedication service held for new Sanctuary.

We are thankful for God’s help and guidance in all of these projects. But much more important that the buildings and property are souls that are being saved and delivered, sick bodies that are healed, and the anointed Word of God that is going forth in its fullness.
God has also blessed us with many other areas of ministry including Sunday School, Children’s Church, Ladies Auxiliary, EBAY, JOY, a hospital ministry, bus ministry, tape ministry, mission’s outreaches, a great music ministry, and other. We thank God for all these ministries and what He is doing in all of these areas. We can truly say that we have witnessed the power and love of God as He has manifested Himself in so many ways at home and abroad. While God has been blessing us abundantly on the home front, He has also opened doors for us as a church and for our pastors to minister abroad. One of our many outreach ministries has been on the island of Haiti. We can thankfully report that when we started lending a helping hand to those less fortunate than we are, God really began to pour out His blessings upon us in so many ways. In recent years, we have supported native pastors and a day school in Haiti which housed as many as 120 students. Today, we have an orphanage there which hous es over 20 children along with a husband – wife director team and 3 workers. Evangelistic crusades there by our pastors and others have resulted in many souls being saved. God has blessed our pastors to minister and conduct very successful crusades on the island of Santa Domingo, in Jamaica, South Africa, India, and in Russia. Other missionary outreaches include Mexico, Romania, Venezuela, and China. Thank God for there open doors and for the lives that have been saved, healed, or touched in any way. While we are rejoicing in the Lord today for His divine guidance that has made our endeavors successful, we also are acutely aware that there is also so much more that needs to be done at home and abroad because time is quickly slipping away from us. The Lord is soon coming! As we reflect on God’s blessing upon us during the past 34 years, our earnest prayer is that the church might continue to be an instrument In God’s hands and an earnest prayer is that the church might continue to be an instrument in God’s hands and a “lighthouse for the lost.” To God be the glory for all that He has done and is doing. Today we just want to say, “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me bless His Holy name.”

- taken from The Lighthouse , September 2000�