From a 1941 Prayer Meeting
In 1941, a prayer meeting in Amory, Mississippi, gave rise to Bethel Church. Bethel Apostolic Church continues to gather on Tschudi Road under the pastoral care of Stanley and Andrea Blaylock, pairing extended music and prayer alongside a children's ministry built around the whole family.
The church's stated purpose is simple: helping people discover the transforming love of Jesus Christ. That mission runs through every part of Bethel, from the Sunday service to the children's wing, the Wednesday-night gathering, and the small groups that meet during the week.
Sunday Mornings on Tschudi Road
Sunday service begins at 10:30am and runs about ninety minutes. The flow follows a steady rhythm: twenty minutes of music, a brief dismissal of Bethel Kids and the offering, a thirty-five-minute sermon, fifteen minutes of prayer, and a few minutes of announcements. Guests are welcome to arrive a little before the service to find a seat and get comfortable.
Seating is open, the dress code is whatever makes a guest feel at home, and newcomers are welcome anywhere in the room. Andrea Blaylock's background in music education shapes the music portion of the morning, and Pastor Stanley Blaylock's blend of teaching and pastoral experience shapes the sermon.
Bethel Kids and the Nursery
Children are valued at Bethel, and the church has built two age-specific rooms around the Sunday flow. Bethel Kids, for ages four through ten, is dismissed from the auditorium right after the music. Volunteers escort the children to the Hill Center for a time of fun, worship, and a Bible lesson before returning them to their families.
For the youngest, a nursery serves infants and pre-schoolers from birth through age three. Parents can check children in before service at the info table in the lobby, and pre-registration is offered online so a first visit can run smoothly.
Pastors Stanley and Andrea Blaylock
Stanley and Andrea Blaylock lead Bethel together. Pastor Blaylock holds a master's degree in mathematics from the University of Alabama and brings years of experience as both an educator and a pastor; his love of teaching carries into the pulpit. Andrea earned her bachelor's degree in music education from Mississippi University for Women and has poured her energy into small-group ministry and music at Bethel. The Blaylocks raised three children, Stanton, Andrew, and Hillary, and now enjoy being grandparents.
Wednesdays, Students, and Online Connections
A Wednesday service at 6:30pm keeps the week moving between Sundays. Bethel Students carries the same purpose for older youth, and small groups led by Andrea Blaylock connect members during the week. Services are also broadcast on Bethel's YouTube channel for those who cannot attend in person.
Online giving supports the work in Amory and beyond, and a Plan Your Visit form helps Bethel know who is coming on a first Sunday.
You Belong Here
Bethel sums up its welcome with a single line: "You belong here." From a 1941 prayer meeting on Tschudi Road to the present-day Sunday gatherings, Bethel Kids classrooms, and Wednesday-night services, Bethel Apostolic Church keeps the same purpose at the center: helping people discover the transforming love of Jesus.