This page allows us to introduce the pastor.

“Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them for so with joy and not with grief, for that world be unprofitable for you.”
Hebrews 13: 17 (NKJV)

The Bible declares, “…the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord” (Ps. 37: 23) God had Bishop T. J. Bethea Sr., PhD in mind when this scripture was written. God has lead Bishop Bethea to preach and teach the gospel. The road to this call came by the way of being part of the Spring Lake school system and a graduate of Westover High School. Bishop Bethea spent three years in the U.S Army, and God blessed him with an honorable discharge. God said” It is not good that man should be alone; (Gen.2:18) now God saw Bishop Bethea without his help meet so God sent a woman in the form of Teasia O. Homer who became First Lady Bethea. The son of Brenda Hodge and a father-in-law of two, the couple shares eight children and two grandchildren.

In II Timothy 3: 17 it states, “…that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” To be equipped Bishop Bethea walked the halls of Pensacola Biblical Institute in Pensacola, Fla, earning a Bachelor in Biblical Studies, Master, and Doctorate degrees in Divine Studies. Bishop Bethea also graced the campus of Shaw University of Raleigh, NC and The Center of Biblical Counseling Division, of the American Association of Christian Counseling. Education is an important trait that Bishop Bethea has and he believes in sharing all that he has learned. He believes in continuing his education, he is now enrolled with the University of Phoenix seeking a degree in Psychology, and to satisfy his need for adventure he is enrolled in North Carolina Rotor and Wing Flight School.

Bishop Bethea has been assigned to the service of the Lord in many capacities, he served on the Board of Presbytery, and as a Chaplain Associate of Cape Fear Medical Center. Pastor Bethea became the 2nd Vice-President of the Union of Unions in the Union Missionary Baptist Association. “This is true saying if a man desires the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.” (I Tim 3: 1). On August 6, 2008, Pastor Bethea was consecrated to the office of Bishop. Bishop Bethea is recognized as a man of God by the world and by the flock he shepherds. The membership of New Gospel Missionary Baptist Church holds Pastor Bethea in high regard, they realize they have a jewel in Pastor Bethea.

To add to his credits-he has authored a book entitled “Building the Possible Through Impossibilities.”

Pastor Bethea has worked tirelessly in building New Gospel Missionary Baptist Church into the vision that God gave him and that is “Perfecting the Purpose of Jesus Christ”. Pastor Bethea has also received numerous awards and achievements to include a proclamation from the Mayor of the city Fayetteville, to observe June 2nd as Bishop TJ Bethea Day. The city has also allowed the renaming of the church street, to Bishop TJ Bethea Rd.

“And he gave some, apostles, and some prophets and some evangelists, and some pastor and teachers: For the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Eph 4: 11-12) God has blessed New Gospel Missionary Baptist Church with a pastor who can touch lives with the word of God and speak a prophetic word to a dying world. Through God’s grace and mercy, Bishop Bethea has found favor in man, but most of all he has found favor with God.