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Bethlehem Baptist Church has an amazing<br />
history that predates our city and even our state.<br />
<br />
November<br />
16, 1907,<br />
Bethlehem<br />
Baptist<br />
Church was<br />
established in<br />
1901. Outside<br />
their four walls<br />
this church<br />
has seen the<br />
best and worst<br />
of times, the<br />
good and<br />
the bad of<br />
American<br />
History,<br />
and more<br />
<br />
Oklahoma History.<br />
<br />
shepherds, but the spirit of Bethlehem Baptist<br />
remains the same—strong and powerful. There is<br />
a resounding strength within their walls, and the<br />
entire church knows their strength comes from<br />
Heaven; the power comes from God.<br />
110 years shows a church that is resilient and<br />
a congregation with fortitude of human spirit. The<br />
only way this church is still standing after all those<br />
years is their faith and trust in a higher power.<br />
That faith has carried them thru the adversity and<br />
heartache of society to a peaceful knowledge that,<br />
no matter what, they will still stand.<br />
Since March 2009, Bethlehem Baptist Church<br />
has been under the leadership of Dr. Willie B.<br />
Smith, Jr. He is leading Bethlehem on a mission<br />
of fellowship, evangelism, and discovery (F.E.D.),<br />
<br />
<br />
the Body of Christ, so that when everyone is in<br />
position, the Body is in proper alignment.<br />
Pastor Smith is a superb leader who operates<br />
in a spirit of<br />
excellence. You<br />
can tell his faith<br />
is strong and it<br />
is necessary for<br />
it to be if he is<br />
going to pastor<br />
God’s people.<br />
<br />
strength to lead<br />
<br />
acknowledging<br />
that they are not<br />
“his people,” but<br />
God’s children.<br />
And if he<br />
follows God’s<br />
direction, God<br />
will see them through.<br />
Bethlehem does not believe in keeping their<br />
<br />
They have a strong community involvement that<br />
keeps getting stronger. They are family strong and<br />
unity driven. In fact, Pastor Smith says, “We do it<br />
better when we do it together.”<br />
The progress is evident. Bethlehem Baptist<br />
Church has withstood the test of time and have<br />
come so far there is no turning back now. And for<br />
110 years old, they are moving forward quite well.<br />
Fellowship, Evangelism, and Discipleship<br />
Bethlehem Baptist Church, The House of Bread<br />
where souls are F.E.D<br />
602 NW Arlington Avenue<br />
Lawton, OK 73507<br />
580.355.7818<br />
Web: bethlehembaptistchurchlawton.org<br />
<strong>OKIE</strong> MAGAZINE www.okiemagazine.com Page 8