How it all started...
Bethel Evangelical Baptist Church was established in 1980 in the city of Delray Beach. The first meeting took place at the house of late Pastor Franck François, on Sunday October 26, 1980. In that meeting, fourteen people participated, including nearly 8 non-believers. By the end of the service, seven of them responded to the altar call and accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
In less than a year, the church grew to eighty people and witnessed twenty baptisms. In light of the growth of the church, in 1981 the leaders decided to rent the cafeteria of an elementary school located in Delray Beach for their Sunday morning services. Meanwhile, Pastor Franck’s house was used for bible study. In 1983, the church moved to SW 8th Ave to share a building with an American congregation. Having observed the tremendous growth of Bethel, the leaders prayed that God grant them their own building. In 1984, the leaders of the American church agreed to sell them the shared building. Ten years later, the church built a new sanctuary as an attachment to the existing building to continue serving the Lord.
Through the years, the congregation shared the wonderful leadership of Pastor Franck François, along with many other ministers working for the Lord Jesus. When in 2006, the Lord called Pastor Franck François to be home with Him, He also provided guidance for the transition. After Pastor Frank François’ departure to eternity, Pastor Evens Jules, who was serving as a co-pastor of the church since January 2005, became the senior pastor. Under his leadership, the Lord continues to add new believers to His vine.
In 2007, after even more growth, the church started to worship in three services: two in the morning and one at night. In November 2013, the church was seeking guidance from the Lord about finding a new location. Being sure about the will of God for them, the congregation voted to buy a new property. In November 2014, with God’s help, the church secured the purchasing of a former temple located in the west side of Delray Beach. Since then, Bethel is serving the Lord and proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ at their new church building: 5780 W. Atlantic Ave, Delray Beach FL 33484.
In less than a year, the church grew to eighty people and witnessed twenty baptisms. In light of the growth of the church, in 1981 the leaders decided to rent the cafeteria of an elementary school located in Delray Beach for their Sunday morning services. Meanwhile, Pastor Franck’s house was used for bible study. In 1983, the church moved to SW 8th Ave to share a building with an American congregation. Having observed the tremendous growth of Bethel, the leaders prayed that God grant them their own building. In 1984, the leaders of the American church agreed to sell them the shared building. Ten years later, the church built a new sanctuary as an attachment to the existing building to continue serving the Lord.
Through the years, the congregation shared the wonderful leadership of Pastor Franck François, along with many other ministers working for the Lord Jesus. When in 2006, the Lord called Pastor Franck François to be home with Him, He also provided guidance for the transition. After Pastor Frank François’ departure to eternity, Pastor Evens Jules, who was serving as a co-pastor of the church since January 2005, became the senior pastor. Under his leadership, the Lord continues to add new believers to His vine.
In 2007, after even more growth, the church started to worship in three services: two in the morning and one at night. In November 2013, the church was seeking guidance from the Lord about finding a new location. Being sure about the will of God for them, the congregation voted to buy a new property. In November 2014, with God’s help, the church secured the purchasing of a former temple located in the west side of Delray Beach. Since then, Bethel is serving the Lord and proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ at their new church building: 5780 W. Atlantic Ave, Delray Beach FL 33484.
