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Our Story

About New Bethel

A small independent church with deep roots in Forest City, North Carolina.

A church in the Isothermal Belt.

In 1975, members of New Bethel A.M.E. Zion Church chose to become independent and formed an initial committee consisting of Rev. Jackson, Rev. Lytle, Mr. and Mrs. L. G. Sims, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Price, and Brother Johnny Landrum to establish a new place of worship. Through faith and determination, they secured a former church building on Mills Street under favorable terms, viewing it as a blessing from God, and with the help of the congregation and community, restored the building and began worship services as New Bethel Independent Church. Around that same period, Missionary Methodist Church had built a new facility, and their former church became available for purchase. A new committee was formed, led by Brother Paul White alongside Rev. Jackson, Johnny Landrum, Arthur Landrum, L. G. Sims, and Patricia Hamilton. Rev. Pendergrass shared that the Lord had revealed New Bethel was to have the church, and after much prayer, fasting, and perseverance under the leadership of Rev. Legusta Jackson, the congregation was able to purchase it, marking a significant step in the church’s foundation and continued growth.

New Bethel Independent Church
Our Pastor

Rev. Simon McClain

Rev. Simon McClain leads New Bethel’s congregation with a focus on plain, Scripture-based preaching and a genuinely open door for anyone who walks in.

Rev. Simon McClain, pastor of New Bethel Independent Church
What We Believe

Independent, but not alone.

01

Christ Centered church that shines brightly as a beacon of faith, hope, and love. A church that is made up of real people who actively lead others to a real Savior and meet real needs as they are compelled by a real God to do so.

02

Committed church where discipleship is taken seriously — where people deeply desire to grow in their knowledge and experience of Jesus. We long for a church where people grow spiritually because they put their faith into action, using the gifts and talents God has given as they intentionally seek to fulfill His calling upon their lives.

03

Credible church where everything happens as a result of diligent prayer and leadership of the Holy Spirit. Where people humbly go wherever God leads for His glory, and for the benefit of needy and unbelieving people.

04

Courageous church full of people who have hearts for God and are so contagious with authentic Christian life that non-believing, dechurched, and unchurched people are drawn to experience Jesus for themselves — many for the first time!

05

Compassionate church where people know they are loved because they know how to share their needs with each other, they know how to pray for each other, they know how to support and encourage each other, and they know how to spur each other on to be all that God intends them to be.

06

Competent church where spiritual gifts are discovered and deployed for God’s glory — a church where leaders lead, administrators administrate, teachers teach, and caregivers give care; a church where people with mercy gifts offer mercy and people with hospitality gifts make all feel welcome; a church where all the other spiritual gifts found in the Bible are effectively utilized as God calls people to use them.

07

Constructive church that refuses to be ingrown or self-focused. A church that is respected by all because it breathes hope and life into this world as it meets needs and transforms lives. A church that is so caught up in what God is doing that it generously shares its resources with those in need, and with other works of God around the world.

08

Contagious church where people expect to encounter God in worship and wait with excited anticipation for the next opportunity to gather together.

That we may be an effective and relevant ministry for our time.