Bethel Temple - Brookhaven

The Upton family moved to this community, and soon the wife, Sister Alice, with her Bible in hand, was in this community preaching, teaching, and telling about God's goodness. From her humble beginning in speaking about God's love in this community, God led Johnny J. Hamilton to move his family to the East Lincoln area to establish Bethel Temple. Previously, services were held in brush arbor meetings and sometimes in homes. However, on the chilly night of November 11, 1944, the first service was held that led to the assembly's establishment.

World War II was raging; however, the United States had taken a stronghold, and victory was approaching. The battle against sin in this community still exists. However, we sense the approaching of success against the satanic forces.

Under Johnny Hamilton's exemplary leadership, the congregation moved into a new church building. He continued preaching the Salvation message without fear or favor. Johnny Hamilton offered his resignation in July 1947 as he felt the burden lifted.

Clyde C. Wilson was elected in August 1947 and served until 1950. Upon the resignation of Clyde Wilson, Johnny Hamilton again returned as pastor for the next two years, and upon his resignation, Stafford Brooks was elected but only served for a few months. Upon his leaving, C.E. Cooley was elected and served from September 1952 until he was elected to serve a church in Louisiana in June 1954.

Sam Warren and Johnny Hamilton served in the interim years of 1954–1959, until T.J. Mahoney was elected in March 1959, and remained as pastor until his resignation in March 1961. During his tenure, Murrell Ewing preached his second revival at Bethel Temple at age 18. Gerald R. Davis was elected in 1961 and remained until his resignation in 1962. Milton Fontenot was elected but only remained for about one year. Upon his retirement, J.S. Hoyt was elected in 1963, and pastored until June 1969. During his tenure, he built a parsonage and was in a building program to replace the original church built in 1944.

Upon the resignation of J.S. Hoyt, the next pastor was James F. Nations, who was elected on July 14, 1969. During his tenure, the church building was completed, and a fellowship building was built. James Nations resigned on May 22, 1977, for the express purpose of moving to Raymond, Mississippi, and founding a Home Mission work.

Daryl Harris was elected in June 1977 and pastored until his resignation in August 1980. William (Bill) Moore was elected in August 1980 and served until his resignation in June 1981. Oliver Self was elected in July 1981 and served until his resignation in November 1984. Jerry Curtis was elected in December 1984 and served until December 1989. William Moore returned as pastor for two more years. In December 1989, Richard Whittington was elected as pastor and served until May 1994.

In May 1994, Steven Williams was elected and brought with him a vision of growth for Bethel Temple. During his tenure the church that was built in 1979 was sold and property was purchased on the 84 Highway Bypass in Brookhaven, Mississippi. A new facility was built, however with constant growth, this building was too small for the congregation, so a sanctuary was built with additional educational facilities adjoining the other building which was named "Hamilton Event Center" in honor of the founding pastor.

Upon completing 25 years as pastor of the Bethel Temple Church, Pastor Steven Williams became Bishop, and the congregation elected his son Jared Williams to assume Senior Pastor Title on January 1, 2020.