OUR
PURPOSE
PURPOSE
PASTOR
NICK
NICK
Pastor Nick Salmons was born and raised in the area. He began attending
Bethel as a baby where his grandpa was pastor at the time. He was saved
by Christ and baptized there; met and married his wife, Cori, there; and
together are raising their two boys there. He has been actively involved at
Bethel for many years and began serving as deacon in 2016. In 2021, he
accepted God's call to become its pastor after the sudden retirement of its
previous pastor. Pastor Nick seeks to follow God's will to help Bethel live out
the purpose God has set for it.
Bethel as a baby where his grandpa was pastor at the time. He was saved
by Christ and baptized there; met and married his wife, Cori, there; and
together are raising their two boys there. He has been actively involved at
Bethel for many years and began serving as deacon in 2016. In 2021, he
accepted God's call to become its pastor after the sudden retirement of its
previous pastor. Pastor Nick seeks to follow God's will to help Bethel live out
the purpose God has set for it.
The Bethel body exists to be a community of believers to worship and glorify
God, and to be a Great Commission church that builds up disciples in order
to bring the unsaved world to Christ. We'd love you to join us in fulfilling that
purpose.
God, and to be a Great Commission church that builds up disciples in order
to bring the unsaved world to Christ. We'd love you to join us in fulfilling that
purpose.
PAST
PRESENT
FUTURE
PRESENT
FUTURE
The Bethel body was organized on July 20, 1840. They congregated in the
homes of the pastor and members until 1850 when they met in a new
church house located somewhere by the 102 River. People came from miles
in covered wagons and on horseback to worship.
Bethel's first Sunday School was organized in 1865. During the Civil War,
the Sunday School helped the public schools teach students the alphabet
and memorize Bible verses. It's believed that the St. Joseph Baptist
Association was organized by Bethel in 1872. We are still a part of that
organization today.
homes of the pastor and members until 1850 when they met in a new
church house located somewhere by the 102 River. People came from miles
in covered wagons and on horseback to worship.
Bethel's first Sunday School was organized in 1865. During the Civil War,
the Sunday School helped the public schools teach students the alphabet
and memorize Bible verses. It's believed that the St. Joseph Baptist
Association was organized by Bethel in 1872. We are still a part of that
organization today.
In 1883, the church building was sold and ground was purchased adjacent
an existing cemetery. A new single-room church was erected there, which
is the current building and location. The building has been added onto
multiple times by faithful members. Additions include restrooms,
classrooms, nursery, kitchen, fellowship hall, and baptismal.
an existing cemetery. A new single-room church was erected there, which
is the current building and location. The building has been added onto
multiple times by faithful members. Additions include restrooms,
classrooms, nursery, kitchen, fellowship hall, and baptismal.
Many pastors have served at Bethel including shared pastors from other
rural churches and Kansas City churches. Recorded Bethel pastors include:
Jim Pope (1923-1930), John Montgomery (1953-1956), Bill Tritten (1962-
1970), Billy Heriford (1970-1973), Richard Akin (1974-1976), Nathan
Gilstrap (1977-1978), Larry Salmons (1979-1994), Robert Thomas (1994-
2020), and Nick Salmons (2021-Present).
Jim Pope (1923-1930), John Montgomery (1953-1956), Bill Tritten (1962-
1970), Billy Heriford (1970-1973), Richard Akin (1974-1976), Nathan
Gilstrap (1977-1978), Larry Salmons (1979-1994), Robert Thomas (1994-
2020), and Nick Salmons (2021-Present).
We give thanks to God for His continued provision and for each member
and leader who has ever been or will be a part of the Bethel body and its
mission. God willing, Bethel will remain "a lighthouse to the community"
and a Great Commission church for another 180 years or until Christ's
glorious return.
and leader who has ever been or will be a part of the Bethel body and its
mission. God willing, Bethel will remain "a lighthouse to the community"
and a Great Commission church for another 180 years or until Christ's
glorious return.
Bethel Baptist
A lighthouse to the community since 1840
"The Church"
We began as and exist today as the body of Christ.
"He [Christ] is the head of the body, the church"
Colossians 1:18 (the full text)
Colossians 1:18 (the full text)
Bethel Baptist
"in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit"
Ephesians 2:19-22 (the full text)
Ephesians 2:19-22 (the full text)
DEACONS
Nathan and Rachel Bunse
Dennis and Barbara Harkrider
Sean and Sarah Heckman
Charles and Lois Ochse
Dennis and Susan Ochse
Herman and Sharon Raines
Randy and Rhonda Salmons
Dennis and Barbara Harkrider
Sean and Sarah Heckman
Charles and Lois Ochse
Dennis and Susan Ochse
Herman and Sharon Raines
Randy and Rhonda Salmons
22625 County Road 274, Cosby, MO 64436
