Welcome to Hampton Roads!

 While you are living in our neighborhood, the Bethel Baptist Church family would like to help you enrich your faith and grow in God’s grace. 

Whether you are single or married, unaccompanied or live with your family in the area, we desire to minister to you in Jesus’ name and to help you serve Him in meaningful ways. 

Many of Bethel’s members are active, former, or retired military, and know first hand the unique challenges of military life. We also understand the sacrifices that military spouses and children make, especially during times of separation or deployment. 

Our church and its Military Ministry team stand ready to provide love, support, care and fellowship to help you stay connected with a caring community of believers. Likewise, you will find many opportunities to worship the Lord in our church and to help others in our community. Since our church is conveniently located near many local military bases, we invite you to make Bethel Baptist your Spiritual Home Base as you continue to serve our country and God’s Kingdom

Recognizing the challenges in finding a new church home, the Military Ministry team administers a sponsorship program that serves incoming military families by helping them to rapidly integrate into the fellowship. Most all military families are familiar with the benefits of a sponsorship program facilitating integration into a new unit. This program operates in the same manner seeking to identify and align the spiritual needs of all family members to the opportunities available at Bethel Baptist Church. If you desire to take advantage of this program, please contact the church office at (757)867-8082 and let them know you are interested. 

Our Purpose

  To Serve God and the Military Members and Military Families at the Intersection of the Great Commission and the Great Commandment. 

History  

On June 28, 2009 over 65 BBC members met for a “Kick-off” Luncheon to establish the Bethel Baptist Church Military Ministry. BBC MilMin team members Morrie & Shirley Lawing, David & Jane Bates, Chuck & Anne Allison, Al & Jan Creal, Ken & Donna Hertzler and Jeff & Deb Augustin organized the luncheon to share information with BBC members on the new ministry and provide an opportunity for volunteers to sign up to support the BBC MilMin activities. 

The crux of the message they shared was that the BBC family understands that military members and their families face unique challenges that test their faith and spiritual strength. These challenges include frequent reassignments, lengthy separations from loved ones, and overseas deployments in harm’s way. The challenges are eased by the love, fellowship, mentoring and caring provided by Christians that appreciate these unique issues. 

Over the years, the BBC MilMin Team has remained true to the purpose established by the founding members. The activities and events coordinated by the team seek first to meet the spiritual needs of our military members and their families. The MilMin Team also facilitates opportunities for those military families that seek to serve and share their spiritual gifts with an openhearted congregation. 

Our BBC family continues to be strengthened by the multitude of military families that choose to worship, serve, and grow in faith during their assignments to the local area. The military families that make BBC their spiritual home are encouraged by the Christian love of a congregation that understands and actively appreciates their sacrifice and service.