About

History of Beth-el Missionary Baptist Church (Beth-el)

Beth-el Missionary Baptist Church’s longstanding motto has been, “Jesus Christ, the same.. Yesterday.. Today.. Tomorrow.. and Forever...”  The multitude of individuals, both past and present, who are (or have been) a part of this magnificent Christian institution have gone forth and manifested the Church’s teaching and doctrine to further enrich and impact its community, city, and our nation.  Beth-el’s ongoing philanthropic commitments and giving have blessed many souls and added spiritual value and healing throughout the Church’s local and global communities for many years.

Within the Reconstruction Era in the United States, the formation of autonomous black churches was a major achievement and a central component of African-Americans' conception of freedom.  The first institution fully controlled by African-Americans, “the church”, played a central role in the black communities.  Before the Civil War, many rural slaves had held secret religious meetings outside the supervision of their owners.  With emancipation, African-Americans started pooling their resources to purchase land and erect church buildings.  In 1880, a number of African-Americans realized the need and importance of establishing a church in the Starkville Mississippi area.  Beth-el Missionary Baptist Church was formed – with faith in God in that “He” would make the way – in the “Leak Creek” community, West of Trim Crane.

The original services at Beth-el was conducted with the Rev. I. P. Peppins as the serving minister.  After many years of spiritual services and faith healing, The Beth-el church building in the Leak Creek community burned down, forcing the congregation to rebuild.  This new church building was rebuilt under the pastoral leadership of Rev. W. C. Gillespie.  During Rev. Gillespie’s tenure of spiritual leadership, the Beth-el Missionary Society and Beth-el Choir were founded.  After the passing of Rev. Gillespie, Rev. J. H. Manahan, Rev. Frank Ware, and Rev. T. R. Brown all severed as ministers at Beth-el.  Under Rev. Brown’s spiritual leadership, the Beth-el Usher Board and Pastor’s Aide Auxiliaries were established.

In 1943, the Beth-el congregation duly elected Rev. W. P. Randolph as their pastor.  Under Rev. Randolph’s leadership, Beth-el was remolded, repainted, and modern equipment and fixtures were installed.  Under Rev. Randolph’s leadership, many ministries and committees were established at Beth-el, such as the Laymen Committee and the Board of Christian Education.  Through Rev. Randolph’s guidance and directions, a new vision and mandate was formulated for Beth-el – build a new church building and sanctuary.  In February 1974, the foundation was laid for the new Beth-el Church to be built at the present Church site.  In May 1974, the Beth-el congregation accepted and embraced the challenge of building a new church sanctuary.

In December 1975, Rev. W. P. Randolph was called to other spiritual endeavors, and in April 1976, Rev. W. J. McCaskill of Greenwood, Mississippi was called to serve and was accepted to become Beth-el’s new pastor.  Under Rev. McCaskill’s spiritual guidance and leadership, Beth-el grew and developed in many areas in its new church sanctuary and offerings. The Fifth Sunday was added as a regular church service day; there were numerous structural improvements and additions such as the addition of a new church steeple, outside directory, the building of a new storage building, and new pavement for the church parking area.  Also, additional land acreage was purchased to increase the church cemetery area, and a new church van was purchased.

In December 1997, Beth-el was again faced with the challenge of interviewing and selecting a new pastor.  Through committed faith and prayer, in April 1998, the Rev. Dr. Ronnie Bernard Tucker of Arkansas became Beth-el’s new pastor.  Under Rev. Dr. Tucker’s leadership, Beth-el moved aggressively towards becoming a more modern, comprehensive, and all inclusive, full-service faith driven spiritual organization.  Through Rev. Dr. Tucker’s spiritual guidance, Beth-el adopted a new church motto and mission – “The little church on the side of the highway just trying to help somebody.”  Under Rev. Dr. Tucker’s spiritual leadership, Beth-el established its incorporation status as a Non-profit organization and received its first federal grant.  Beth-el became a full-service church organization, offering: bible study every Wednesday evening; the Lord’s Supper services each first Sunday evening; prayer breakfasts; Pastor and Deacon’s Brunch; the Youth Assigned Training Mission each fourth Sunday; and a Community Annual Fellowship Day.  Under Rev. Dr. Tucker’s spiritual leadership, the Church Parsonage was also purchased.   

In 2001, Rev. Dr. Ronnie Bernard Tucker left Beth-el and on January 1, 2002, Rev. Lee E. Brand, Jr. of Nettleton Mississippi was given the honor and distinction of becoming Beth-el Missionary Baptist Church’s new pastor.  In 2013, Rev. Lee Brand became Rev. Dr. Lee Brand after receiving his PhD in Theology from the distinguished Mid-American Baptist Theological Seminary in Tennessee.  Dr. Rev. Brand has brought forth new present-day ideas, augmentations, and concepts to the Beth-el church family, church organization, and the overall church community.  Under Rev. Dr. Brand’s spiritual tutelage, Beth-el has adopted a new spiritual working motto: “Saving the Sinner, Sanctifying the Saved, and Striving for the Savior.”  

Beth-el is now offering a myriad of services and offerings.  There are now two different timeframes for Sunday Morning Worship services and there are weekly, (every Wednesday at 11:30 am and 6:30 pm) Bible Study classes.  Beth-el now offers 

a multitude of new service ministries – the recording ministry, the media broadcasting ministry, a greeting ministry, and a marriage ministry.  Beth-el has purchased new church vans and a new church bus that are utilized for picking up church members and visitors for church services and events.  Beth-el is working with other community churches in help feeding the needy through its casserole kitchen ministry.  Working in partnership with Mississippi State University: Beth-el now accepts new student church members through its Watch-Care ministry; Beth-el hosts a monthly “College Day” to feed all the attending college students; Beth-el has established a computer lab to aid students with test preparation and homework; and Beth-el is the home church, (and the church Minister of Music is the alumni-advisor), for the Mississippi State University’s Black Voices Choir.

In October 2015, under the loving guidance and directions of Rev. Dr. Brand, Beth-el embraced a new vision and direction – to break ground for a new church sanctuary.  This was a very exciting time for all of the Beth-el church family, friends, and community.  On January 15, 2017, the dreams and aspirations for a new Beth-el church sanctuary was realized.  Beth-el Missionary Baptist Church has progressed a long way from its original formation in the “Leak Creek” community.  Beth-el Missionary Baptist Church is currently the largest and most progressive African-American Church in the Starkville Mississippi area.

It was the dreams, imaginations, and aspirations – led by faith in Jesus Christ the Savior – that has lovingly guided and directed the Beth-el Missionary Baptist Church membership and family to this place in time.  We all realize that great churches are not built with just bricks and mortar, but through helping, supporting, and extending themselves throughout the church neighborhood, community, and world by teaching and ministering to the spiritual lives of the many.  Beth-el Missionary Baptist Church is the result of an unyielding faith proclaimed through continuing love and faith in the redemptive and loving powers of Jesus Christ.

The following Deacons have faithfully served throughout the history of the Beth-el Missionary Baptist Church:

Deceased Deacons

Bro. E. Gates Bro. Robert Maxwell Bro. Charlie Johnson

Bro. Willie Jones Bro. Jessie Ward Bro. Felix Ward

Bro. Hal Purnell Bro. James Johnson Bro. Archie Johnson 

Bro. Wiley Turner Bro. Prince Billups Bro. Alex Ward

Bro. Prince Morgan Bro. Ben Harris Bro. John Henry Davis

Bro. Will Evern Billups Bro. Charlie Nash Bro. Pig Turner

Bro Marshall Turner Bro. Alus Maxwell Bro. Alex Coleman

Bro. Jessie Hill Bro. Henry Davis

Former Deacons

                       Bro. Franklin Young Bro. Archie Williams

Active Deacons

Bro. George Turner, Jr. Bro. Jimmy Ellis Bro. Walter Harris

Bro. Oliver Roach, Jr. Bro. Alfonso Mosley Bro. Glen Young

                                           Bro. David Hill

Active Trustees:

Freddie Bardley Marvell Howard Joe Lee Hubbard

Robert Johnson, Jr. Robert Jordan Frank Nichols

                                           Sammy Shumaker