Our Story

It began with seven believers.

On October 13, 1954, seven people gathered for worship in the home of Brother Willie Rivers. That first service marked the beginning of Mount Bethel Baptist Church and the installation of Rev. Homer H. J. Everett as pastor.

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The congregation continued meeting in members’ homes before moving to the YMCA as its first consistent temporary worship location.

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Building a Church Home

Mount Bethel purchased land in 1956 and completed the first phase of its church building in 1957. Construction continued over several years, culminating in the completion of the main sanctuary in May 1965.

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Rev. Everett designated the third Sunday in May as Homecoming Day, establishing a tradition for celebrating the church’s anniversary.

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Preparing for Growth

Anticipating continued growth, Mount Bethel purchased land one block from its former location. A groundbreaking ceremony for the new church was held on April 12, 1981.

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Following Rev. Everett’s death on June 8, 1981, Rev. V. B. Friar and interim pastor Rev. Gregory Pope provided leadership during a pivotal season of transition.

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A New Season of Leadership

Bishop C. E. Glover accepted the call to lead Mount Bethel on September 25, 1985. Under his leadership, the church completed its ministry campus at 901 NW 11th Avenue and expanded its work throughout Broward County.

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His ministry was grounded in Luke 4:18 and Matthew 25:40—proclaiming the gospel, serving people in need and bringing transformation to the community.

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Expanding Community Impact

Mount Bethel Christian Academy was established in 1990 to provide children with a quality education grounded in Christian principles.

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Mount Bethel Human Services followed in 1993, growing to provide family services, intervention programs, foster-parent training and community resources. In 1997, New Visions Community Development Corporation was founded to help first-time homebuyers pursue homeownership.

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Passing the Mantle

In 2022, Bishop Glover presented Rev. Curtis Ballard Jr. as his successor. For a full year, the two leaders served side by side through a planned pastoral transition supported by the congregation.

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Bishop Glover’s 38 years of leadership concluded on December 31, 2023.

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Faith Through the Fire

On December 23, 2023, a devastating fire destroyed Mount Bethel’s sanctuary and caused extensive damage throughout the church. No one was harmed.

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The congregation continued worshipping and serving while preparing to rebuild, demonstrating the same resilience that has carried Mount Bethel through every season.

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Pursuing the Next Chapter

Rev. Curtis Ballard Jr. was installed as Mount Bethel’s fourth senior pastor on March 16, 2024.

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Today, Mount Bethel continues its ministry through the 5C model—Celebrate, Connect, Cultivate, Care and Contribute—while honoring its history and pursuing its next chapter as The Pursuit Church.