BETHEL BAPTIST BROTHERHOOD (BBB)

Overview

The Bethel Baptist Brotherhood (BBB) is one of the many ministries within the Church Community at 6 Hope Road, Kingston 10 that work to strengthen and support the Church’s programmes and activities. The Brotherhood seeks to accomplish this objective in a variety of ways.  The group consists of men of all ages who attend the Church and want to extend their service in Christ to their Church Community.  In addition to its involvement in other Church-related activities that may arise, the Brotherhood contributes to the Church Community by:

• Organizing presentations and discussions on men’s health, relationships, finances, and other topical issues;
• Hosting the annual Bethel Youth Summer Employment Programme (BYSEP) Barbeque and New Year’s Play fundraisers;
• Organizing the annual Christmas and Easter Treats for the Homeless Care Centre
• Assisting with the running of the Homeless Care Centre

The Brotherhood also occasionally provides support and administrative leadership for special projects as required, as well as financial assistance to Church-sponsored social activities, and homebound Brotherhood members.

 Background

 The Bethel Baptist Brotherhood was founded in the early 1980s by a small group of visionary men, known then as the Bethel Men’s Fellowship.  

These gentlemen felt the need for greater participation and male representation in Church ministry, to share closer fellowship, and to facilitate greater spiritual development.  After much deliberation, consultation and prayer, guided by the spirit, they drafted a constitution, elected their leaders and started meeting one Saturday morning per month. Over breakfast, members would share in fellowship and devotion, and listen to a word of challenge from invited guest speakers.

The group operated independently, and was initially not a member of the Jamaica Baptist Union Brotherhood.  However, they were subsequently invited and gladly accepted membership to the JBU Brotherhood in 1984, following which the name ‘Bethel Men’s Fellowship’ was changed to the Bethel Baptist Brotherhood. 

Past and Current Presidents

1980s -1990 Brother Rupert Gallimore – First President

1990 –       Brother Michael Forbes

                   Brother Vincent Case

                   Brother Arthur Johnson

2000 – 2002 Brother Winston McKay

2002 – 2004 Brother Leo Richards

2004 – 2006 Brother Burnett Prince

2006 – 2008 Brother Leford Bennett

2008 – 2010 Brother Carlton Morrison

2010 – 2014 Brother David Garel

2014 – 2016 Brother Donald Duncanson

2016 – Present Brother Kirk Smith

The Bethel Baptist Brotherhood has experienced many challenges over the years but has remained focused on its objectives.  We are deeply indebted to all who have served and continue to serve in this Ministry. Most importantly, we are thankful to God for enabling us to serve the local fellowship in our various endeavours.

 Programmes and Activities

In order to effectively and efficiently carry out its functions, the Bethel Baptist Brotherhood is comprised of an Executive led by the President. Within the Executive are several committees and offices with varying responsibilities, each headed by a Chairman.  Elections are held annually for members to be voted to the Executive. Listed below are the committees, and an overview of their activities, roles and responsibilities:

Outreach

• Assists our homeless visitors at the Care Centre with the serving of breakfast, leading devotions and sharing in fellowship with them each Sunday

• Manages the Coin Collection Drive, an on-going fundraiser for the Care Centre
• Plans, organizes and sources items needed for the annual Christmas and Easter treats for the homeless at the Care Centre

• Provides assistance to children in the Homework Centre, as needed
• Plans, supervises and mentors young men within the Church community, aged twelve to eighteen years through the Pure Gold Mentorship Programme

• Provides assistance to the Jamaica Foundation For Lifelong Learning (JFLL)Centre with teaching and equipment
• Participates in various projects at the Little Mount Olivet Basic School
• Manages the communication network between Brotherhood members via SMS and Whatsapp

• Provides bereavement support to members and their widows
• Visits homebound members

Meetings and Programmes

• Plans and organizes members’ meetings
• Organizes periodic informational sessions for members of the Brotherhood and the wider Church community on a variety of topics and invites subject-matter experts to give presentations, including:

1. Christianity
2. Men’s Health
3. Relationships
4. Personal Financial Management  
5. Fathers Inc.

Fundraising

• Manages all aspects of fundraising within the Brotherhood, including the annual  BYSEP Barbeque and the New Year’s benefit performance

Spiritual Growth

• Seeks to build spiritual growth within the group  
• Identifies topics for discussion that will strengthen our faith, belief, and understanding of the Scriptures, thus equipping members to be better servants of God

Membership and Welfare

• Recruits new members to the Brotherhood
• Liaises with the Church Office regarding new members, establishing and maintaining contact with them

Media, Marketing and Communication

• Prepares communication to the wider Church regarding Brotherhood programmes and activities

• Sources and prepares information to keep members abreast of activities

Treasurer

• Prepares the Budget
• Reconciles monthly payments and receipts with the Church Office
• Prepares and circulates monthly financial reports for the Executive Receipts and Payments Account

• Maintains the float/petty cash
• Ensures that the Brotherhood is able to meet all its financial obligations

President

• Motivates, facilitates, co-ordinates and directs the Executive
• Serves as the representative to the Church Council and the chief spokesman for the Brotherhood
• Chairs and maintains responsibility for all general meetings.

How to Become a Member

All men attending Bethel are considered to be unofficial members of the Brotherhood. However, registration as an official member can be done in one of three easy ways.  

• Click the link  to complete and submit a brief application form online or

Send an email to bethelbaptistbrotherhood@gmail.com

New members are inducted into the Brotherhood quarterly at our General Meetings.  We look forward to welcoming you!