Our Story
How it all began:
In 1930, Welsh Evangelists George and Edward Jeffreys came to the Birmingham area. George Jeffreys conducted crusades in Birmingham and Edward Jeffreys in the area now known as Sandwell. Edward began a crusade in Walsall on the 24th of February, with about 70 people on the first night, but God performed signs and wonders and by the end of the first week queues were waiting to get into services.
In the words of scripture, “it was noted that He was in the house” - the presence of Christ attracted the people. On the 10th of March he conducted a crusade in Wednesbury, and then on the 24th he went to Dudley. Then on the 7th of April, he conducted a crusade in West Bromwich.
Signs and wonders followed. Souls were saved, bodies were healed and churches were planted in every crusade.
Acts 4:30 (NIV) - “Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus”.
A man sent from God:
Pastors had to be found to shepherd the new groups of believers. Rees Griffiths told the Lord that wherever he found a house to live he felt it would be the place the Lord wanted him to minister. He found a house in West Bromwich so began his ministry there. The church then moved onto a field in Bromford Lane, while they awaited the arrival of a tent. Every meeting time the weather was favourable: God was good!
Some time later, Pastor Griffiths called everyone together to discuss building a church. A loan was taken out, and a Mr. F. Carter advised how the building should be built. The church was built and the group of believers moved in with the first service being an all-night prayer meeting. We at Bethel strongly believe in the power of prayer, so what better foundation could a church be built upon? God continued to bless and establish his work, and many were saved and came to know the Pentecostal experience.
Rees J. Griffiths:
Pastor Rees J. Griffiths was a man with a pioneer vision. In 1932 a building was put up in Marsh Lane. At the time, some wondered about why a church was put in the middle of a field, but Rees Griffiths had a word from God. Today there is a building in Marsh Lane and a thriving church.
In 1933 a mission was conducted in Great Bridge, and a flourishing Sunday School, and that work for a time was looked after by Mr. L. Bruce. We have a number of people in the church today as a result of these seeds sown. In 1935 the church joined the Assemblies of God fellowship, and has remained loyal to AOG over the years.
Towards the end of his life, Rees Griffiths sought to pass the work onto deacons and trustees but before that came about he unfortunately passed away in July 1949 ad was laid to rest in Wales. Mrs. Griffiths looked after the finances of the church until the end of the year when all church debts were cleared.
Pastor Evans
In January 1950, Pastor Hector Evans and his wife were inducted into the church.
Changes were made during Pastor Evans’ ministry, one important one being the election of deacons to assist in church admin. This took place in July 1957, and has been a great blessing. Sunday school was also revised and Sunday school staff meetings established. During the 50s, the Lord called home several early members of the church, and answered the question of “who will replace them” by preparing younger members of the church. He took them through the ministry of the Word and the Holy Spirit.
April 1970 saw the church without a pastor for the first time in 20 years. The time that followed proved to be testing but God kept His hand upon the work and the church continued.
God’s chosen man in God’s chosen place
Alfred Missen was General Secretary of AOG. He mentioned that Pastor D. J. Skelton was seeking the will of God about a possible change of pastorate. He and his wife were invited to minister and the result was that they were inducted into the church on the 5th of February 1972. Pastor Skelton was a younger man than the previous two ministers, but the church got behind him and the blessing of God followed. People were saved and baptised with both water and the Holy Spirit.
New church extension
On the 31st of January 1979, work began on an extension costing around £65,000. This step of faith was taken to accommodate the increasing number of people attending church, and give us better facilities. The extension was opened by the treasurer, Mr. F. Bowden on the 24th May 1980.
Within a few weeks of the extension we had 3 baptismal services, with 19 people confessing their faith by water baptism.
Bethel Today,
Today our Pastor is Pastor Daniel Cherian, who became senior leader in 2019, and came to Bethel with his wife Anna Cherian, and their son Samuel.
The church has a number of close relations with other countries, like India and Zambia.
In recent years, Bethel has become a network church apart of the All Nations Movement, started by All Nations Christian Centre in Wolverhampton, led by Pastor Steve Uppal. The churches share a vision, and 7 key values, which will attract the Holy Spirit to remain amongst us.
The church is widely diverse, welcoming all people regardless of background, and continues to see steady growth today.