Greetings From
The First Family
"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there, but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:10-11 ESV
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I greet you with the joy of the Lord. It is my pleasure to welcome each of you to the Bethel Baptist Church during our worship service, and also to the many other services which are held during the year.
What a Mighty God we serve!. From the humble beginnings of the Bethel Baptist Church, to this present moment, truly the Lord has been with us every step of the way. The rich history of this great church is a true testimony to the faith that our founding fathers and mothers had in God when they embarked on this faith journey in 1865.
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We have not made it this far by ourselves, but there have been many who have gone on before that have paved the way for where we are in the year 2024 And as we reflect on the ministry of days gone by we can see the fruit of the labor of many.
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We are very thankful for the past, and the present, but we look forward to the future with great expectation and excitement. I am confident that the Lord will use the Ministry of Evangelism to bring increase to this ministry. Look at what Jesus said about this key point: "And the Lord said unto the servant, Go into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled" Luke 14:23. It is my desire that this house be filled. And the Lord will do it!
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In conclusion, it is our prayer that we remain faithful and steadfast in the things of the Lord. Let us go forward and take possession of all that God has promised us, as we work as one body, with many members. We welcome you to come and be apart of the Bethel Baptist Church family.
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Pastor Clarence E. McLaughlin
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About Our Pastor . . .
Reverend Clarence E. McLaughlin is a native of Danville, Virginia. He received his education in the Pittsylvania County and Danville Public School Systems. In 1997, he received his Bachelor's Degree from Jacksonville Theological Seminary in Jacksonville, Florida. In 1999, he received his Master's Degree from Jacksonville Theological Seminary. He was also employed by Goodyear Tire and Rubber, Inc.
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Reverend McLaughlin acknowledged the call to preach in 1991. He was licensed to preach the gospel in June of that year by the Bethel Baptist Church, where the Reverend Dr. Thomas D. Johnson, Sr. served as pastor. He was ordained, on August of 1995, by the Cherrystone Missionary Baptist Association.
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May 1995, Rev. McLaughlin became pastor of the Bellevue Missionary Baptist Church, where he served for fourteen years. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Rev. McLaughlin accepted the call to pastor the Bethel Baptist Church, September 6, 2009.
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Reverend McLaughlin has also served Cherrystone Missionary Baptist Association in several capacities. He has served as President of the District Union, Vice President of the Division of Clergy and on the Board of Directors. Rev. McLaughlin has also served as Vice Moderator and Moderator of this great association.
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Reverend McLaughlin is a man of God. He loves to preach the word. He has demonstrated many skills to lead, teach, and pastor the members of the Bethel Baptist Church. He is loved and supported by the first family, church family, and the Danville community and surrounding areas.
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He has a loving and supportive wife, Carol B. McLaughlin, of more than twenty years. They are the proud and loving parents of daughters Calierya Rae, and Camille LaSha' McLaughlin.