We're on a journey to love, heal, and grow in Christ Jesus together.....
Bethel International Christian Fellowship
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Our Mission
Our Leadership
Our Mission
At Bethel International Christian Fellowship, we are dedicated to spreading the love and teachings of Jesus Christ to our community and beyond.
We're on a mission to love, heal, and grow together in Christ Jesus!
Our History
Our Leadership
Our Mission
Established in Prayer in February 1996 the Holy Spirit spoke to Lead Pastor Lee, and said "Start a Church and call it Bethel." For over 25+ years Bethel International Christian Fellowship has been a cornerstone of our community touching countless numbers of lives.
We have a rich history of serving our community and sharing the message of Jesus Christ with all who will listen.
Our Leadership
Our Leadership
Our Leadership
Our Church is led by Lead Pastor Lee Petty and Dr. Keely Petty, and a team of dedicated servant leaders who are committed to serving God, the congregation and our community.
Founder and Lead Pastor Lee Petty
"It all started in February 1996, while in prayer I clearly heard the Holy Spirit say, "Start a Church and call it Bethel."
The Founder and Lead Pastor of Bethel International Christian Fellowship has been at the helm since July 1996, is also the President of Bethel Community Development Corporation, Inc. which has successfully managed over 2.5 million dollars in local, state, and federal funding. He has been married to the beautiful Dr. Keely for over 3 decades, and is the proud father of two noble-minded sons Jirah and Jonathan, and father in-love to Fallon, and POP POP of two grands.
Over the past 2 decades Bethel ICF/Bethel CDC has touched countless numbers of lives through radio, television, social media, community and international missions in London, Costa Rica, Toronto, South Africa, Maui, Puerto Rico, and the Bahamas. He has successfully established partnerships with San Antonio Fighting Back, Inc. {Communities Empowering Youth}, One Star Foundation {Faith Connections}, Baptist Health Foundation {Clergy HIV Initiative} Texas Youth Commission {Youth Mentoring} Texas Department of Health and Human Services {Texas Black Women's HIV Initiative}, Bexar County Gun Safety Coalition {Bethel is the only Church in San Antonio distributing gun safety locks}, WestCare Texas {Black Clergy Mental Health Initiatives}, and Trinity Broadcast Network KHCE-TV {Hosting the Praise The Lord program for 13 years}.
His passion for the disenfranchised has helped drive person centered programs and strategic initiatives with the San Antonio Food Bank for Hope 4 The Hungry Food Program, Give Thanks Thanksgiving Community Dinner, Tree of Hope Christmas Toy Drive, and How To Father mentoring campaign. He is a graduate of St. Mary's University with an AA in Psychology, The Billy Graham School of Evangelism, and serves under the leadership Bishop Randall of NHMBC.
Mental Wellness Affairs Dr. Keely Petty
"What counts in life is not the sole fact that we have lived. It's what difference we are making to improve the lives of others."
Dr. Keely has been an amazing prophetic gift to her family, Church, and community serving faithfully alongside her husband for over 3 decades. She is a fun loving mother two sons Jirah and Jonathan, a fantabulous mother in-love to Fallon, and a gracious grammie to Norah and Peace. She is blazing trails in BIPOC Churches among Faith-Leaders, and congregants providing certified Trauma and Mental Health certified trainings. Dr. Keely is a highly sought after and a recognized educational expert and subject matter expert in trauma, mental health, and epigenetics.
Her life long mission is to provide mental health awareness trainings in BIPOC Churches helping to dismantle silence, stigma, and shame. She plays a key role as a strategist in bridging the gap between BIPOC Churches and mental health resources and encouraging support within BIPOC Church settings. She lives by a quote from Mother Teresa that says: "If we have no peace it's because we've forgotten that we belong to one another." Dr. Keely is a certified Mental Health Instructor, Cognitive Behavior Therapist, Epigenetic Coach, Sanctuary Mental Health Instructor, ACE Interface Instructor, Spiritual First AID, Mental First AID, Seeking Safety Coach, Psychological First AID Instructor, SafeTALK, CALM, and ASIST Suicide Prevention Instructor, Crisis Prevention Verbal De-escalation Trainer of Trainer, Companionship Modeling Trainer, Positive Intelligence Coach, Substance Abuse Prevention Training specialist and so much more.
Dr. Keely is a graduate of the University of the Incarnate Word with a B.A. in Communication Arts, A Masters and Doctorate in Christian Counseling from the Royal Priesthood Counseling Academy, Light University Mental Health Certification, and is a graduate of the DEA and FBI Citizens Academy. She serves on the board of the Center for Health Care Services Bexar Counties go to mental health authority, National Alliance on Mental Illness San Antonio Steering Committee. She is a member of American Association of Christian Counselors, and Cognitive Behavior Therapist association. She has received numerous awards from local, state, and national entities for her service in trauma and mental health.
Pastoral Assistants Jirah and Jonathan Petty
Together Jirah and Jonathan discreetly handle sensitive information related to Lead Pastor Lee and Dr. Keely's, ministry and travel activities. They have strong networking skills with the members, volunteers, and are strong in prayer as trusted confidantes in all ministry affairs.
Jirah a USAF Veteran is a Senior Digital/Technical Product Manager at USAA, and a graduate of University of the Incarnate Word with an earned BA in Human Resources and a Masters of Business Administration His favorite scripture is Philippians 4:13 that says: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." He is married to Fallon Petty his high school sweetheart and is an attentive father to Norah Jean and Peace Jirah Petty.
Jonathan is an Assistant Coach at Houston Christian University, and a graduate of Hardin-Simmons University with an earned BA in Business Management and a Masters Degree in Counseling and Human Development. While at Hardin Simmons University he made football history with the most forced fumbles in HSU history. His favorite scripture is 2 Timothy 1:7 that says: "For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, love, and of a sound mind."
Their life mantra is: "To keep company only with people who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best."
Elder Rose Williams
Executive Director of Community Initiatives and Youth & Kids Ministry
Elder Rose Williams have been a long standing servant leader at Bethel International Christian Fellowship for over 2 decades, serving in various capacities in a stellar manner. She is also the Executive Director of the Bethel Community Development Corporation, Inc. founded by Lead Pastor Lee Petty and has oversight of all local, state, and federal grants. She was implementative in establishing Bethel International Christian Fellowship as the only Church in San Antonio Bexar County that provides Gun Safety Locks from its location through Bexar Gun Safety.
She is also the director of the youth and kids ministry with responsibilities for overseeing and planning all aspects of youth and kids ministry programs, this includes administration of the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE's) test, instruction in the 52 virtues, bible studies, music and drama, community mission and service projects.
Elder Rose is also responsible for recruiting, background checks, training, and supervising volunteers who work with youth and kids ministry and also develops and implements new programs. She is the Operations Manager at the Institute for Trauma Informed Care at University Health, and co-founder of Big Mamas Safe House whose sole focus is curtailing gun violence in the inner city of San Antonio. Her favorite scripture is Colossians 3:16 that says: "Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another."
Claudia Saunders
Ministry of Financial Affairs
Claudia Saunders serves as ministry of financial affairs where she is responsible for implementing and maintaining strong internal controls to safeguard church assets and prevent fraud. She processes financial transactions, maintain accurate records, She has strong analytical and problem solving skills, identifies and addresses financial issues, interpret data, and make sound financial recommendations.
She plays a critical role in ensuring financial goals are achieved, collaborates with church leadership to provide financial transparency and understanding. Claudia is also responsible for preparing quarterly financial reports for donors and church membership, while ensuring the financial well-being of the church.
Claudia is a native of San Antonio and is the CEO and Founder of The Beauty Lounge where she provides the Bella29™ brand of unique texture quality of hair products. Her Bella 29™ team covers everything that has to do with hair. Her services include trendsetting cutting, styling, conditioning, treatments, applying weaves, wigs, bundles, brading and innovative coloring techniques.
Her innovative styling techniques has afforded her an opportunity to style for hollywood actress Niecy Nash-Betts, and others. She is the proud mother of one son Devron who is a servant leader at Bethel ICF. And her favorite scripture is Deuteronomy 7:9 that says: "Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments."
Jeremiah Williams
AV Director
Jeremiah Williams is the AV director playing a vital role in supporting Bethel International Christian Fellowship's mission by ensuring the smooth and professional operation of all audio, visual, and lighting systems during services, events, and community activities. Jeremiah troubleshoot and resolve technical issues promptly and efficiently, stays update on the latest AV technologies and trends, and recommends and oversee the acquisition of new equipment as needed.
He oversees the the setup, execution, and breakdown of AV equipment for services, events and other activities, develops and implements production plans and schedules. Jeremiah works collaboratively with the praise and worship leader and team, lead pastor, and responsible for recruiting other volunteers to ensure AV production aligns with their vision.
Jeremiah remains adaptable and flexible to meet the evolving needs of the church. He is a student at Alamo Community College District Northeast Lakeview college with a focus on Computer Science, and can be found serving in the community in various capacities. His favorite scripture is Jeremiah 1:5 that says: "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; before I sanctified you; and I ordained you a prophet to the nations."
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Deaconess Linda King
Director of Shalom Mental Wellness Ministries
Linda King has been a member of Bethel ICF for over 2 decades and serves as the lead mental health wellness champion for the Shalom Mental Health Ministries of Bethel ICF promoting mental health awareness, education, access to resources, and support. She is a wellness champion graduate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Bridges to Care program.
She is a certified in Mental Health First AID, Psychological First AID, Companionship Mental Health Modeling, Crisis Prevention Intervention Verbal De-escalation, Sanctuary Mental Health, Spiritual First AID, ACES, and Trauma Informed Ministry Modeling.
She advocates for positive mental well-being and works to break down stigma, silence, and shame around mental health in the Church, and at community events. She is the co-host of Matters of the Mind a virtual community conversation on trauma and mental well-being that has reached thousands of attendees from all over the world.
Linda ia a graduate of Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, Texas earning an AAS in Restaurant Management. She works at St. Phillips College Nursing Education Department in Administrative Services. Her favorite scripture is Proverbs 3:5-6 that says: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."
Cedric Robinson
IT & Systems Management Specialist
Cedric Robinson is a dedicated faith-driven servant leader, and the IT System Management Specialist for Bethel ICF. He is a graduate of Texas Southern University with a BS i Science Administration and Sullivan Technical College with a AA in Networking/IT. In this role he is responsible for ensuring the smooth operations and maintenance of our church's technology infrastructure, including computers, networks, audio/visual systems, and other technical equipment.
His responsibilities include IT infrastructure, install, configure, and maintain computer hardware and software, manage the churches network ensuring its security and reliability, troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to computers, printers, and other devices.
Cedric also performs regular backups and disaster recovery planning, train volunteers on how to use A/V equipment effectively, assist with setting up new accounts and devices, answer questions and provide guidance on software applications. He also developed and maintains documentation for standard operating procedures, and maintains a safe and secure operation of equipment for services and community events. Cedric answers questions and provides guidance to leadership on software applications, and emerging trends.
His favorite scripture is Psalm 139:24 that says: "See if there be any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting ."
Ed Garner
Security & Facilities Manager
Ed Gardner service as the Church security and facilities manager lead. He believes his role is about creating a safe and welcoming environment for the leadership, congregation, volunteers, and visitors while protecting the property and assets.
His responsibilities include developing a security plan to include procedures for preventing and responding to emergencies, such as fire, active shooters, and medical incidents. He trains the congregation to know their roles and responsibilities in an emergency, implements security measures to include cameras, access control systems, and alarm systems.
Ed pays acute attention to our Church facilities ensuring that they are accessible to people with disabilities, and provides regular maintenance and repairs to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone who uses the church. He believes the church should be a reflection of our values and mission, and conducts annual risk assessments to keep the congregation informed about the security and facility management plans.
His favorite scripture is Psalm 100:3 that says: "Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are the people, the sheep of His pasture."
Online Giving Opportunity
"A generous man will be blessed."
Proverbs 22:9
"Sow generously and reap generously."
2 Corinthians 9:6