Dr. Bethea was born December 19, 1958, in Dillon, South Carolina. He graduated from Clemson University with a B.S. in Horticulture in 1981. Having been called to the ministry while in college, he then attended Bob Jones University where he received a Master of Divinity degree in 1987. He was recently honored by Ambassador Baptist College with a Doctor of Divinity degree.
He married Kathryn Poore in 1985, and they have five children: Will, born in 1989; Katelyn, 1993; Jonathan, 1996; Hudson, 1998; and Lauren, 1999. Kathryn graduated from Bob Jones University in 1985 with a B.A. in Piano Pedagogy.
The first ministry for Pastor Bethea was as Youth Pastor at Northside Baptist Church in North Charleston, South Carolina, from 1987 to 1996. He next served as Assistant Pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Simpsonville, South Carolina, from 1996 to 1998. Then on August 30, 1998, Pastor Bethea came to Westgate Baptist Church to serve as Senior Pastor of the church and President of Westgate Christian School.
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