The Bethel Thrift Cooperative is one of the many innovative ministries of our church. It is a full fledged cooperative a savings and loan granting institution. It operates every week day, offers unbelievable rates, good returns on investments, and the best part is anybody can join. The testimonies of those helped by this ministry speak to the transformational nature of its offerings.

Not yet a member? Consider becoming a BTC member today and see how you can benefit or how others can benefit from your membership.

Services we offer

• Business Consultation
• Credit Audits
• Statistical analysis

The Bethel Legal Aid Clinic (BLAC) opened its doors on November 21, 2006. Through a group of dedicated attorneys, it offers legal advice, consultation and referrals. Matters which require attention outside of the Clinic are referred to either attorneys of the Clinic or elsewhere.

The Bethel Legal Aid Clinic is open on Saturdays from 10:00am-12:00noon. No appointment is necessary.

In addition to the Clinic, the BLAC supports the community through public education forums, such as the November 2022 seminar Land Matters & You: Owning & Securing Your Property , and the April 2023 seminar “Dead Lef” Law & You: Whose Is It?

Caring for the total man has always been at the forefront of our thinking. A caring service is given by an experienced team of professionals: doctors, nurses, pharmacists and laboratory technicians. Our medical clinic operates Mondays – Fridays providing services such as Blood pressure checks, Urine and Sugar tests, Suturing, Pap – Smears and Pregnancy tests. Our pharmacy has been in operation for over six years with its main aim being the provision of pharmaceuticals at significantly reduced costs.

Services we offer:

• Bethel Pharmacy
• Family Doctors
• Counselling
• Laboratory Services
• Immunization
• Physiotherapy
• Life Coaching

Welcome to Bethel Cyber Centre, your all-in-one Internet cafe and docu-centre. We are more than just a resource and training centre – we offer a wide range of services to cater to your needs.

Services we offer:

• Printing
• Copying
• Scanning
• Binding
• Laminating
• Typing services
• Simple graphic design
• Assistance with passport renewals
• Assistance with US, UK, and Canadian visa applications and renewals
• Assistance with immigrant applications
• Online payment assistance for fitness fees or traffic tickets
• Phone and tablet troubleshooting assistance
• Computer courses for beginners

Join the youth fellowship group for lively discussions and interaction on Fridays at 7:00pm. This is planned from a holistic perspective with input from members. There is an annual weekend camp to facilitate the spiritual development of our young people, in addition to regular hikes to the Blue Mountain peak – over 7000 feet above sea level.

This program seeks to provide employment for students for up to 4 weeks during the summer months. Companies support this program by providing job opportunities to be undertaken by these students. Participants are required to attend an initiation program gained at familiarizing them with various aspects of the work environment. Students are also assisted with such things as the writing of resumes, dress code and work ethics.

• The Director of the choir is Dr. Michael Taylor
• With a group of over 40 young people, the youth chorale members seek to express their Faith in song.
• The choir accepts member between the age of 12-21, new members are always welcomed.
• They partake in concerts for the Christmas and Easter seasons as well as hosting their major concert for youth month in October. The choral performs every third and fourth Sundays of each month at the 10 o’clock and 7 o’clock services respectively.
• They willingly share in other Church’s functions and at special events upon request.
• The youth chorale meets every Friday for rehearsals under the theme “Let everything that hath breath Praise the Lord”

The formation of the Bethel Baptist Dance Troupe was conceptualized by Tracy Hyman and officially began under her leadership in 1997. The dance troupe has grown over the years and currently consists of approximately 25 youth whose aim and mission is to serve and proclaim the truth through this ministry. The Dance ministry has ministered at church services, special events and has competed in the Jamaica Baptist Union Youth Rally for many years. With the aim of allowing members, friends and visitors to know and grow in Christ the troupe stages an annual Dance Production in the month of July as one medium of conveying the message of living and serving the Lord by faith and conviction of the Holy Spirit in a creative and meaningful presentation. The Bethel Baptist Dance Troupe was invited to perform at the World Baptist Alliance Conference held in Houston, Texas in 1998 with a contingent of approximately six dancers who made a considerable impact to a wide and diverse audience. The dance troupe has sought to place missions at the forefront of this ministry by embarking on events that will uplift members internally as well as individuals in society.

Some of the missions include:

• Ministering to the children at Marigold Children’s Home
• Clean-up project of Bethel’s new adjoining Building
• Ministering and contributing items to the patients at the Bellevue Hospital
• Partnering with Bethel’s Feeding Ministry
• Ministering at fundraising events for several churches
• Partnering with the Jones Town Dance Ministry
• Ministering at the Golden Age Home
• Ministering in Trinidad (October 2008)
• Ministering at the Caribbean Baptist Festival Youth Conference in Bahamas (July 2009)
• Visiting the HIV hospice in the Bahamas (July 2009) as well as a children’s home
• Participating in ministry in Germany

Out of a desire to increase its emphasis on missions for the upcoming church year (2009 – 2010), one of the main objectives of the ministry is to visit other churches in the cooperate area as well as one or two parishes outside of Kingston to minister our most recent presentation entitled “Reality Check, Rags to Riches”. The ministry believes that in the past the Lord has used this presentation to encourage and reassure Christians and non-Christians alike, and as such, it is felt that many other persons would be blessed by the message. The group also welcomes any opportunity to partner with other ministries of Bethel in furthering Jesus’ mission here on earth.

It all began in 1997 -98 Church year with an objective to provide another medium for members and friends instruction on relevant topical issues which will enable them to better cope with the variances of the community in which we live. The Bethel Lay Institute (BLI) is used to provide training in various aspects of the Christian beliefs.

Our pastor, Rev. Dr. B. K. Taylor has a vision of the Bethel Lay Institute (BLI) moving towards Institute ministry. What does this mean? A hope that in two years there will be a Christian Education Institute (CEI) which will offer more complete and advanced training modules related not only to spiritual development, but to other areas such as Christianity in an urban setting and family issues.

The BLI’s term 2 runs from May 9, 2004 to June 26, 2004. You are encouraged to sign up for one or more of the courses listed below:

The Bethel Steel Orchestra began in September 1992, under the dynamic tutelage of Mr. Lawrence Nelson (then band captain of the Panoridim Steel Orchestra). In 1993, the Orchestra acquired its own instruments and made their official debut as a ministry of the Bethel Baptist Church. The mission of the Bethel Steel is to worship Almighty God and to lead others in worship, via the use of steel pan and supporting instruments. With this, the Orchestra has continued to be a vibrant part of the church’s Music Ministry, and in addition, has ministered at various churches and functions, island-wide. On the international stage, the Orchestra had the esteemed opportunity of representing the Caribbean at the Baptist World Youth Conference, held in Hong Kong in August 2004.

Bethel Steel launched its first music CD album – “Praise in Steel” – in April 2000 and is preparing to do another album in 2015. Each year, the Orchestra continues to produce concerts in April, seeking to raise the bar in service to God and extend its ministry to the wider church community.

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In November 2010, the Bethel Steel Orchestra, expanded its reach to include seven brethren from the Phillippo Baptist Church as part of its membership and for this, we give God thanks. As this dynamic ministry continues to profess the grace and greatness of GOD, through music & testimony, we are grateful to God for the strides made over the years. With more and more original arrangements coming from within the group – bearing over twenty-eight (28) members – the constant fellowship adds to the intensity, versatility and sincerity of praise and ministry to which we are called.

To God be the glory, great things He has done.

The director is Mr. Kraig Bisnott. With captains Marcia Beaton, and Daniel Golding.

The band accepts and trains members whether new to the instrument or otherwise.

The Bethel Steel Orchestra began in September 1992, under the dynamic tutelage of Mr. Lawrence Nelson (then band captain of the Panoridim Steel Orchestra). In 1993, the Orchestra acquired its own instruments and made their official debut as a ministry of the Bethel Baptist Church.

In November 2010, the Bethel Steel Orchestra, expanded its reach to include seven brethren from the Phillippo Baptist Church as part of its membership and for this, we give God thanks. As this dynamic ministry continues to profess the grace and greatness of GOD, through music & testimony, we are grateful to God for the strides made over the years. With more and more original arrangements coming from within the group – bearing over twenty-eight (28) members – the constant fellowship adds to the intensity, versatility and sincerity of praise and ministry to which we are called.

The mission of the Bethel Steel is to worship Almighty God and to lead others in worship, via the use of steel pan and supporting instruments. With this, the Orchestra has continued to be a vibrant part of the church’s Music Ministry, and in addition, has ministered at various churches and functions, island-wide.

On the international stage, the Orchestra had the esteemed opportunity of representing the Caribbean at the Baptist World Youth Conference, held in Hong Kong in August 2004.

Bethel Steel launched its first music CD album – “Praise in Steel” – in April 2000 and is preparing to do another album in 2015. Each year, the Orchestra continues to produce concerts in April, seeking to raise the bar in service to God and extend its ministry to the wider church community.

To God be the glory, great things He has done.

Bethel’s mission involves helping persons in the community who for one reason or another, are marginalized. One such group of persons who tend to be forgotten are those infected with the HIV/AIDS virus.

As a Church we recognized that this disease, like all others, can and does affect ‘church members’ also. In an effort to educate its members about the disease, a committee was formed in 1998, headed by the Chairperson of the Training Department, Dr. Deloris Brissett.

Its main aim and objective is to ‘guide the church in its treatment of this phenomenon’. A Draft policy has been developed and since then members continue to be sensitized to the “do’s” and “Don’ts” of this disease.

The Church budgets an amount each year to assist in the operations of the major Institution involved in caring for affected persons. It also stages an annual Lapathon, usually near to WORLD AIDS DAY which is commemorated on December 1. Funds garnered from this exercise are donated to institutions islandwide which are directly involved in caring for the HIV/AIDS affected person. There is also a special care unit within the Church who follow-up on members and non-members who have been specially referred to them, by ensuring that they take their medications and keep their Doctor’s appointments.

If you would like to assist us in this venture, you may

The primary way to build relationships with other people is through our House Prayer Fellowship Group. Attending one of our services is crucial to spiritual development, and House Prayer Fellowship Groups serve to enhance that experience by providing a place to build dynamic relationships while applying Biblical principles to daily life.

Even in the church’s earliest and purest form, small group meetings in homes were the foundation. Acts 5:42 tells us that the people met ‘in the temple courts’ and ‘from house to house.’ They ate together, prayed together, and experienced life together. They also suffered together, shared their relationships with Christ together, and most importantly, sought and worshiped God together. They were like-minded and like-hearted. What an incredible picture of Fellowship!

The door is wide open to each of our House Prayer Fellowship.

This is the oldest group under the Youth Related ministries (YRM) umbrella. Officially launched in August of 1979 with the play “The Lord is my Shepherd”.

The aim of the group is to preach the news of salvation through drama, and to present practical approaches to the real challenges and tests that we face as Christians in our day to day lives.

The drama group has performed all over the island in different churches and has regularly performed on the Jamaica Baptist Union radio programmes “Christ for Today” and “Youth Sounds” on RJR and Love FM respectively.

Our motto is “DO ALL TO THE GLORY OF GOD”, and our regular annual performances at Bethel are; Easter Play on Good Friday, Summer production, and Christmas Play in collaboration with the other YRM ministries. The group’s present director Deacon Stephen Edwards has been a member of the group since its inception. The ministry meets every Saturday at 5:00 p.m.

The newest project undertaken by the ministry has been dubbed “Operation Outreach. It is a new concept of Evangelism with its main focus on care evangelism.

Three distinct groups have been identified:

• non-members who are married at Bethel;
• non- members who bring their children for dedication;
• persons in common – law unions with one spouse being a member of the church.

Approximately sixty persons have volunteered for this duty. They have been given the necessary training and assignments.

We witness, We serve, We share

Our Sunday School has various bible study classes designed to meet the needs of people at different ages by bringing God’s timeless truths into our daily lives. The Bible is the central focus our Sunday school, however its impact extends beyond the class on a Sunday by encouraging everyone toward Christ-likeness, in their homes, schools and relationships with friends and peers.

For the adults, Sunday school classes provide the tools needed to live a victorious Christian life during the week in whatever area of service God has called them to serve.

We at Bethel regard it as a mandate of our faith commitment to be a servant community which involves caring for persons, communities and the environment. The Bethel Foundation was established as one of the ways in which we will be able to financially meet our objectives on both a short and long term basis.

The Bethel Foundation is a legal entity established by Bethel Baptist Church to raise funds to support projects for the benefit of socially and economically disadvantaged persons and for community development.

This ministry has been the cornerstone of the Church’s outreach program. It comprises persons working in the following four areas:

• Visitation on 2nd and 4th Sunday mornings
• Visitation on Sunday afternoons
• Visitation during the week to the elderly and sick
• Visitation during the week to the mentally challenged and terminally ill.

The idea behind these visits is to bring the church to those who are unable to attend our regular services.

These teams bring an appropriate message and give communion to these persons. Weekly bulletins are read to visually impaired individuals. The special caring team ministers to the “total man” whereby vital signs are checked and advice is given to persons regarding nutrition, exercise and general mental care.

Persons unable to purchase medication or visit doctors are assisted through our clinic and pharmacy or with donations from our benevolent fund.

The visitation ministry continues to reach out to the able and disabled, the physically and spiritually sick, as well as those who are unable to attend church. If you would like to volunteer,

We are made up of a 15 member team with responsibility for the audio, audio – visuals, website development and other media needs of the Church. This minstry’s function is to assist in the proclamation of the Word of God through amplification, recording and distribution on a timely basis. We also seek to identify persons with the necessary communication skills and provide opportunities for these persons to offer their talents in service for the Lord.

Work in this ministry began in 1954 when the church started. However, it was not until sometime in 1961, that attention was given to a specific women’s ministry. In April 1961, when Pastor William Edwards was commissioned, his wife, Mavis organized what was known then as the Women’s Fellowship which comprised all the female members of the church. The main activities then were monthly devotional meetings, cottage meetings, socials and an annual sale of work to raise funds for the building of the Bethel chapel. On its completion, the fellowship sought affiliation to the Jamaica Baptist Women’s Federation (J.B.W.F.).

Over the years, the range of activities as well as membership have increased. The group is called the Jamaica Baptist Women’s Federation. It identifies itself with and supports actively other ministries in the church. These include:The Healing and Counselling Ministry, The Sunday School, The Advice Service, The Visitation Programme, The Intercessory Prayer Group. Other projects include the Garland Hall Home, the Horizon Home and the Rema Basic School.

Rema Basic School

Rema, a depressed inner-city community located in the Denham Town area of Kingston drew the attention of our then Administrator and Social Worker, Mrs. Sonia Gallimore in the 1970’s, as an area where we could be of assistance. Literary classes, Sunday School classes and Early Childhood Education classes were conducted for sometime.

The Rema Basic School grew out of that and today there are approximately sixty (60) students and four (4) teachers in attendance daily. A hot meal is prepared at a very minimal costs for the students each day.