Rev. Norman Simmons - Senior Pastor

Email Rev. Norman

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 

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!  God has led you here and I pray that His will is accomplished in your life.  I am always in awe of the way God leads and works.  Let me tell you a little about myself:

• I was saved July 5, 1970 at Bethlehem Baptist Church. 
• I was married to Jimmy Folds, who the Lord took home March 8, 2007.
• I have two daughters and son-in-laws:   Emily Folds Waddell and Josh Waddell and Crisse Folds Holman and Brian Holman.
• I have six grandchildren:  Emma, Anna, Sydney, Janie, Luke and Zac.
• 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.

Music is a ministry at Bethlehem and we would love to minister to you!  There are children's choirs for both the preschool (ages 3 - 5) and school age (grades 1 - 5) children.    The adult choir leads worship through a blend of music styles in the traditional service each week.  Our contemporary service is led in worship by our Praise Band, that consists of servants that the Lord has led to our congregation.   God has blessed us with many talented and gifted singers and musicians.  It is our desire to honor Him and bring glory to His Name each time we assemble ourselves together and are given the opportunity to sing. 

God's mercies are new each morning.  His grace is amazing!  Our music ministry would love to minister to you.  The Lord is good.  Come feel the love of Christ at Bethlehem.  

About the Connection Worship Service

I am very excited about the ministry God has called us to here at Bethlehem.  The Connection Worship service is a worship service with a contemporary atmosphere.  The band is phenomenal and they do an excellent job of leading in biblical worship each and every week.  Please take time to join us in worship during the eleven o’clock hour on Sunday mornings in the fellowship hall.

About the Associate Pastor

• Born in Dover, DE  where my parents were stationed while serving in the US Air Force
• Raised in Crawfordville, FL which is where I call home
• Trusted Christ as my Savior and Lord at the age of 12
• Graduated from Wakulla High School in 2001
• Served with New Hope Baptist Church in Westville, FL as their youth minister from 2003-2006
• Licensed to preach the Gospel in August of 2005
• Graduated from The Baptist College of Florida in 2006 with a BA in Theology
• Served with New Hinson Baptist Church in Slocomb, AL as their music minister from 2006-2011
• Employed by Providence Christian School in Dothan since 2007, where I teach Bible 
• Married my beautiful wife Jennifer in March of 2008
• Ordained into the Gospel ministry in November of 2008
• God blessed us with a precious baby girl, Natalie Grace, in October of 2010
• Began my service here at Bethlehem in July of 2011 

Neil Dodson - Church Administrator

Email Neil

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