FOREWORD

 

 

            Today marks the beginning of our 175th year as an association of Baptist churches.  Since 1833, the churches of the Bethel Baptist Association have been working together, “strengthening others in sharing Christ”.  What you hold in your hands is but a brief summary, in timeline form, of the rich history of our beloved Association.

            Since God is sovereign in the affairs of men, and the Lord Jesus Christ rules as Head of His Body, the Church, in compiling such a history we must first acknowledge that this is “His Story”. As the Acts of the Apostles might be more fittingly described as “the Acts of the Holy Spirit”, so the role of the Spirit in moving and guiding the cooperative efforts of His churches in Southwest Georgia must not be overlooked.  He is, through and sometimes even in spite of our feeble human efforts, building His Kingdom and preparing His Bride for that blessed day of His appearing.  To God be the glory!

            We are much in debt to three of His choice servants for the preparation of this manuscript.  Our 175th Anniversary Committee, consisting of Mrs. J. T. (Frannie) Manry of the Blakely First Church, Mrs. Dorothy Everson of Edison Church, and Mrs. Joan Herndon of the Beulah Church, have worked many long and hard hours in compiling this history and “compressing” it into a readable length.  We and future generations of Bethel Baptists are the beneficiaries of their painstaking labor of love.

            Today, the Bethel Baptist Association consists of 34 congregations ministering in six different counties of Southwest Georgia.  This Association, which began in the 19th Century, is now moving forward into the 21st Century.  Since 2000, we have planted our first African-American congregation and have engaged in our first formal domestic and international mission partnerships.  During this 175th year, we will be completing and occupying a new associational office building, the first structure designed and built exclusively for that purpose.  Our “20/20 Vision” Statement reads:

“By the year 2020, we see a fellowship of 50 strong, healthy

 churches working together to reach ALL people with the

 Gospel of Christ, serving others in the Name of Christ,

 and extending God’s Kingdom to the far corners of the

 globe through the power of Christ.”

            As we celebrate our 175th year together, let us remember the great things God has done in our past, let us obey Him in the present, and let us trust Him with the future.

 

 

                                                            James A. Holloway

                                                            Associational Missionary

                                                            October 16, 2007