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Rev. Norman Simmons - Senior Pastor

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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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Bro. Winford Gulledge is the Pastor to Senior Adults in Nursing Homes.  He is pictured here with his wife Millie.  He is retired from the ministry after having served a number of churches in the Judson Baptist Association.  Bro. Winford has continued functioning as a pastor to seniors prior to his being confirmed at BBC.  He enjoys working with senior adults and has a love for serving others.

His cell number is 618-7682

Welcome Bro. Winford.

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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 formerly married to Jimmy Folds, who is now deceased.
• I have two daughters and son-in-laws:   Emily Folds Waddell and Josh Waddell and Crisse Folds Holman and Brian Holman.
• I have five grandchildren:  Emma, Anna, Sydney, Janie and Luke.
• 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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Gary Waddell - Contemporary Service Pastor

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Gary Waddell, Contemporary Service Pastor

Gary Waddell has been designated as the Contemporary Service Pastor for "The Connection" at Bethlehem Baptist Church beginning services on Sunday, April 5, 2009, 11:00.  Gary's duties will include preaching the message for the 11:00 Contemporary service called "The Connection."  He will be the pastor to this group as his time permits.  He will be responsible for the format, the workers to be used (ushers, greeters, parking, etc.,), the announcements, invitations, and the coordination between the traditional and contemporary services.  He will report to the Senior Pastor, Pastor Simmons, on all matters related to the service, membership, visitation, etc.

Gary Waddell comes to BBC with a wealth of experiences to include, pastoring churches, working with missions/mission groups, education--teaching and administration, and other job related pursuits.

Gary's email is listed on this page and his home phone is 334-790-1364. 

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Neil Dodson - Church Administrator

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Welcome! 

I want to thank the Bethlehem Baptist family for affirming me in the role of Church Administrator.  Bethlehem is growing in all areas and so must the management of that growth.  BBC is a fine church community and while we grow it is my prayer that we continue to look to our Lord and Savior following His leading and and loving guidance. 

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

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Josh Parker - Youth Minister

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Greetings

How awesome is our God!! I am going on 18 months of service here at Bethlehem and I cannot begin to tell you how amazed I am at how God has been working within our church. You know as I look back on where we have come from in such a short time, I cannot help but praise Him for allowing me to play a role for His kingdoms sake. I am humbled. When I think of how glorious our God is, I find myself wondering why in the world He would choose to use me. Salvation is really a miracle. The fact that God is at work within me to bring about His glory absolutely blows my mind...May I just say that I am thankful for each of you. I am also thankful for my sweet wife, whom without I would be incomplete. My son, Elihu Joshua Parker is my heart and I thank the Lord for entrusting me with such a blessing. May God find you in the days to come, loving Him and serving him faithfully.  

Before accepting the call as minister of students here at Bethlehem I was able to be used by the Lord in various other places and ministries.  I am certain that all of those experiences have prepared me for the task that awaits me as Bethlehem's Student Minister.  I cannot tell you how excited I am to work along side such a wonderful staff and to have the full support of such an amazing church.  May God bless you and your families. 

If there is ever any way that I may serve you, never hesitate to ask.

In His Service,

Josh Parker

* Saved by the Lord's Divine Grace in 1993 - Praise God! 

* Called into the ministry at the age of 15

* Accepted the call into the ministry in 2006

* Began college in the fall of 2006 at the Baptist College of Florida

* Served at Providence Baptist Church in 2006 as volunteer youth leader and church maintance worker

* Served at St. Paul Mission Church in 2007 as Minister of Music

* Served at Hodgesville Baptist Church in 2008 as Minister of Youth 

“and whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

(Col. 3:17)