On July 25, 1961, Roy and Laverne Westmoreland faithfully followed the Lord’s leading to establish and pastor Bethel Baptist Church. The church first met in an unfinished addition connected to a carport at 4655 Apple Cove in Memphis, Tennessee. During the first sixteen months, the property also served as the pastor’s home and the church’s Sunday School facility. The Lord richly blessed the ministry, and the church experienced tremendous growth. In 1971, Bethel Baptist School was founded, followed by the opening of Tri-State Baptist College in 1973 to prepare men and women for full-time Christian service.

In 1987, Dr. Ron Westmoreland became pastor of Bethel Baptist Church. The following year, the church purchased 96 acres of land where the current campus now stands. Under the leadership of Monty Westmoreland, construction on the new church facilities began in 1995, and the congregation held its first services there in August 1997. During his leadership, the Lord continued to bless the church with growth and with thousands coming to Christ and following Him in baptism.

In 2017, the Lord led Dr. David Sexton and his family back to Bethel Baptist Church to serve as co-pastor. Having joined the staff in 2003, he faithfully ministered in many roles before being called in 2011 to pastor LaMarsh Baptist Church in Mapleton, Illinois. In August 2019, Pastor Sexton became pastor of Bethel Baptist Church, and the church looks forward with anticipation to all the Lord will continue to do through his leadership.

For more than sixty years, God has blessed Bethel Baptist Church through numerous building projects, the growth of its church and college ministries, and the countless lives changed through salvation and baptism. With grateful hearts, we proclaim, “To God be the glory, great things He hath done!”