ST. JOHN BAPTIST CHURCH
Rev. Bethea is the son of the late James and Reba Bethea and devoted husband to Edna Bethea. He is the father of thirteen biological and non-biological children and grandpop and great grandpop to many. Many other family members look to him as a father figure because of his loving ways and Godly wisdom.
Rev. Bethea was born in Camden, New Jersey where he completed his High School education. In 2002 he retired from Connelly Containers after 48 years of dedicated service.
He also retired from the Camden County school systems in 2011 after 7 years of service.
In 1968 Rev. Bethea answered God’s call to the ministry and in 1970 he began his studies of the Word of God by attending The Philadelphia Bible Institute in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. During this time and for several years Rev. Bethea was under the tutelage of Rev. Dr. Raymond Thomas at Mount Olive Baptist in Glassboro New Jersey. He served in many ministries including as the Assistant Pastor under Dr. Thomas and was later called as the Pastor.
Rev. Bethea also pastored Mount Zion and Little Mount Zion Baptist churches in Philadelphia for many years prior to returning to his home church Kaighn Ave Baptist in Camden New Jersey.
Rev. Bethea joined St. John Baptist Church in 2011, where he now serves as a member of the pastoral staff.
His favorite scripture: Psalms 139
And his favorite song is “I Won’t Complain”