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What a great joy to introduce myself to you.  First, thanks for visiting our web site. God has made it possible for us to become familiar with one another  through the computer,  no matter the distance. That is also the power of prayer.  No matter the distance, God is always near!  Now  a personal word about me:

• Saved at 13 years of age. To God be the glory!  Chapel Hill Baptist Church, Florala. AL
• Ordained as a Deacon at Ferris Hill Baptist Church, February 15, 1970
• Licensed to the Gospel Minisstry, January 31, 1971
• Ordained to the Gospel Ministry,  September 21, 1971
• Associate of Arts Degree, Lurleen B Wallce Junior College, Andalusia, AL June 14, 1972
• Bachelor of Science, Troy State University, June 7, 1974
• Master of Divinity, New Orleans Baptist Seminary, May 14, 1977

My pastorates:

• First Baptist Church, Kinston, AL  1971-1974
• Hays Creek Baptist Church, Franklinton, LA 1974-1977
• Calvary Baptist Church, Tuscumbia, AL 1977-1981
• Hillsboro Heights Baptist Church, Huntsville, AL 1981-1990
• First Baptist Church, Headland, AL 1990-2001
• Highland Avenue Baptist Church, Montgomery, AL  2001-2006
• Bethlehem Baptist Church, 2006-presesnt

I am married to Ruth Kimbro and we have two children, Jeff Simmons and Stephanie Lamm. She is married to Ron Lamm and they have three children: Cassidy, Ryan, and Rydge Lamm. As it is true for you, we also love our children and grandchildren. Praise the Lord they are Christians and active in a local church near their home.

No matter the distance, we are interested in your needs. Please send me any prayer requests, and when you are in our area, come and worship with us. We are a friendly church in the country  growing and lifting up Jesus. May God bless you!  Norman Simmons 

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I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart;  I will tell of all your wonders.  I will be glad and rejoice in you;  I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.  Psalm 9: 1,2

Thank you for your visit!  I am so glad that I have this opportunity to tell you what God is doing and has done in my life.  Let me tell you about myself:

• I was saved July 5, 1970 at Bethlehem Baptist Church. 
• I was married May 12, 1979 to Jimmy Folds and we have two daughters, Emily Folds Waddell and Crisse Folds.
• I have four granddaughters:  Emma, Anna, Sydney and Janie
• I received a BS in Math & Biology Education in 1986 and a MA in Education from Troy State Universtiy in 1995.
• I began teaching high school mathematics in 1986.
• I began leading the music at Bethlehem Baptist Church in 1999.

There are so many talented people that God has drawn to Bethlehem Baptist Church.  I am blessed to be able to work with them.  Through music we are able to worship the one true God Who is Maker of heaven and earth.  He is our Rock and our Fortress and an ever present help in times of trouble.  In January of 2007, my husband, Jimmy, was diagnosed with leukemia.  Two months later God took him home to be with Him.  Our family, that includes my brothers and sisters in Christ at Bethlehem, experienced such sorrow.  I want you to know that God has never left my side.  I am encouraged by 1 Thessalonians 4 that reminds us that one day the Lord Himself will come down, with a loud command, and with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God...And so we will be with the Lord forever.  Until then, I will sing praises unto His name here.   Would you come join me?   

God's mercies are new each morning.  Our music ministry would love to minister to you.  Come be led into worship by our Sanctuary Choir.  The Lord is good.  Come feel the love of Christ at Bethlehem.  

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Welcome! 

As Minister of Education I help design, evaluate, and implement learning opportunites for adults in order to promote ways that believers can grow in their relationship to God.  I believe it is more important to experience a relationship with God that is both personal and real rather than be a part of a religious establishment confined to following rules and going through obligatory motions.  Currently, there are age-grouped classes for members to learn God's word, to encourage one another's faith, and to serve others in ministry. There are studies to draw closer to God and explore deeper truths given by Jesus in order to become the believers God intended for us to be. I would welcome the opportunity to share with you all aspects of our church life studies and show you ways you can get connected in a more meaningful way with the body of Christ. 

Please go to the Info Center tab and click on Neil Dodson's Invitation to hear a personalized message.  Thank you!

Background

Neil was born in Lawton, OK, and moved with his family to Enterprise, AL, in the early 1950's.  He was saved at age 9 in the First Baptist Church, Enterprise, AL.  He was drawn to the Lord at an early age and felt the Lord's hand always on him from that time onward.  One of his favorite guiding verses is found in Philipians 3:14, "I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

• He graduated Enterprise High School 1968
• He attended Enterprise Junior College, U of Ala., and Troy State U.
• He holds degrees from Troy U. in Education, Counseling, and Administration
• He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1970 as an Air Traffic Controller and served in Vietnam
• He was employed after service with the Henry County Board of Education as a Psychometrist, Teacher, Principal, Supervisor, and retired in 2001 as Assistant Superintendent
• He enrolled in New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminiary in 2001 and graduated in 2004 with a Masters of Divinity Degree
• He was ordained to the ministry in 2007 at the First Baptist Church, Headland, AL
• He married Sharon in 1992 and they have two beautiful daughters
• He serves with The Christian Leadership Council of Tallahassee, FL a ministry that reaches political leaders for Jesus Christ (www.ChristianLeadershipCouncil.org)
• He was called to BBC in 2008 to serve as Educational Consultant/minister