A Spirit-Filled Church on Bert Kouns Loop
Bethel Assembly of God sits on Bert Kouns Industrial Loop in southern Shreveport, Louisiana, where Pastor Ray and Connie Holman have led the congregation since October 2005. The church's motto, "Passionately Pursue Christ and Express His Love to Others," shapes everything from Sunday gatherings to Wednesday family night. Bethel describes itself as a Christ-centered, Spirit-Filled church that has people as its core focus, and the building is set up to make room for every generation, from nursery-aged babies to senior adults.
Sunday Rhythm of Equipping and Worship
The Sunday morning flow begins at 9:00 AM with equipping classes for every age group, giving the whole family a chance to dig into a lesson before the main service. At 10:00 AM the sanctuary fills for Morning Worship, with Children's Church running at the same time so younger kids get teaching geared to them. Nursery care is available for all services, which means parents of infants and toddlers can settle into worship without juggling a baby and a bulletin.
Worship at Bethel is built around prayer, praise, and biblical preaching. The church's own description puts it this way: worship is not a style but a life style, and the sanctuary worship team takes responsibility for ushering in the presence of God through prayer and praise for each scheduled service.
Wednesday Family Night
Wednesday nights at Bethel are built around the whole family showing up together. From 6:30 PM the church runs a full slate of programs. Adults gather for Bible study while middle and high school students head to Connect Youth, the church's student ministry. Boys in the early grades can join Royal Rangers, and girls in the same age range head to MPact Club. The youngest children are welcomed into Rainbows, which introduces preschoolers to Bible lessons, games, and simple activities designed for their stage.
The family-night setup means a parent dropping off a kindergartener at Royal Rangers and a sixth-grader at Connect Youth can step into adult Bible study themselves, then pick everyone up at the same time and head home together.
Growing Up at Bethel
Children's ministry at Bethel covers a wide stretch of ages, from Bethel's Blessings for babies through three-year-olds all the way up through fifth grade. Coordinators Jacob and Ashley Moss oversee the work, and the stated goal is to provide a safe, welcoming atmosphere where children can discover the love of Christ in a personal way.
On Sunday mornings that means equipping classes and Kid's Church during the 10:00 AM service. On Wednesday evenings, Rainbows, MPact Girls, and Royal Rangers keep the kids learning and active. Vacation Bible School and summer camps round out the year, along with regular outings that pull the children together outside the church walls.
Bethel's Blessings, the nursery for birth through age three, focuses on the early years when first impressions of the church are being formed. Nursery Ministry Coordinator Michele Phelps and her team care for little ones during every service so parents can worship and learn without worry.
Students and Senior Adults
Bethel Student Ministries, led by Youth Ministry Coordinator Lucretia Speight, serves students in grades six through twelve. The youth meet for Sunday morning equipping classes, a Wednesday night service, and a steady stream of ministry events through the year. The goal is to see students grow in a lasting relationship with Christ and know the fullness of the Spirit that will give them the strength to stand firm in a world of compromise.
On the other end of the age range, the Primetimers ministry, coordinated by Frances Bartley, looks after senior adults. Adult ministries overall also include men's and women's groups plus Wednesday night Bible study, so the church has clear pathways for every adult stage of life.
Beliefs Rooted in the Assemblies of God
Bethel holds to the sixteen Statement of Fundamental Truths shared by Assemblies of God churches. The list covers the inspiration of Scripture, the Trinity, the deity of Jesus Christ, the fall of humanity, and salvation through faith in Christ. The church also practices two ordinances: water baptism by immersion after salvation, and Holy Communion as a symbolic remembrance of Christ's death.
Four doctrines sit at the center of the Assemblies of God identity, and Bethel affirms each of them. First, salvation through faith in Christ. Second, the baptism in the Holy Spirit, with speaking in tongues as the initial physical evidence. Third, divine healing as part of Christ's atonement. Fourth, the blessed hope of the rapture, when Jesus returns for His church. Bethel also teaches the progressive sanctification of believers, a divinely ordained leadership for the church, the millennial reign of Christ, a final judgment for those who reject Christ, and the promise of new heavens and a new earth.
Reaching Out and Reaching Up
Evangelism, outreach, and missions form a steady thread at Bethel. The church frames it simply: reach the lost across the street, around the corner, and across the globe, whether that looks like a neighborhood project or a missions trip. Bethel talks about fulfilling the great commission by giving and going, and giving is set up online through Tithe.ly for anyone who wants to support the work.
Music and media ministry, under Minister of Music Gloria Houston, gives musicians, vocalists, and tech volunteers a way to use their gifts in services. Prayer ministry and hospitality round out the support structure: a prayer coordinator lifts up ongoing needs, and a hospitality team under Tammy Curtis makes sure visitors and regulars alike feel welcomed when they walk in.
Meet the Team
Pastor Ray and Connie Holman have been leading Bethel since October 2005, and their heart is to see people come to Christ and enjoy the fullness found in a Spirit-Filled life. Around them, Minister of Music Gloria Houston leads the worship team. Frances Bartley coordinates the Primetimers for senior adults. Lucretia Speight directs both the youth ministry and the prayer ministry. Jacob and Ashley Moss lead children's ministry. Tammy Curtis heads hospitality, and Michele Phelps oversees the nursery. Randy and Kelley Inderman serve as ministers of facilities, keeping the building ready for every service.
Bethel Assembly of God is located at 5801 Bert Kouns Industrial Loop in Shreveport, Louisiana, and the church office can be reached at 318-687-4200.