Bethlehem Free Will Baptist Church sits on Highway 12 North just west of Ashland City. The congregation traces its beginning to 1847 and is known for generous support of outside ministries, with more than a quarter of its total income dedicated to worthy causes in most years. Its 11,000-square-foot building has hosted worship and education since 1971.
From Homes in Bethlehem Hollow to Highway 12
The church began in 1847 under W. L. Gower, who led it for about 10 years. Early services were held in homes. A one-room, frame church was then erected on Lockertsville Road in an area known as Bethlehem Hollow. Additions and changes accumulated over many years, but that building remained home to the congregation until 1971.
The worship rhythm expanded over time. Early in its history, services were held every three months, then once a month. Under Rev. William Henry Oliver, the church began meeting twice a month in 1931. Around 1947, Rev. Adam Scott challenged the congregation to a full schedule with worship twice each Sunday. Moving to full-time ministry helped the church grow in both numbers and finances, and the original property soon became overcrowded.
Rev. George Ludwig led the purchase of 10 acres on Highway 12 North. The property was bought on March 26, 1967, and paid in full by May 5, 1968. The congregation authorized a building committee on January 8, 1969, and broke ground on March 8, 1970. Under the construction leadership of Bill Elliott, the first worship in the new building took place on January 17, 1971. The building provides 11,000 square feet for worship and education.
A parsonage adjacent to the church was added in 1973 after Rev. Hughes Ellis became pastor. Men in the church gave evenings and weekends to complete it. A 14-year bond program begun in 1970 had financed both the church and parsonage, and the debt was fully retired by December 1, 1978.
A Legacy Measured in Giving
Bethlehem calls giving both a command from God and an opportunity to worship, and an offering is included in each gathering. Gifts can be mailed to P.O. Box 535 in Ashland City, given online, or sent by text to 84321. Its giving is directed outward as well: in most years, more than 25 percent of total income supports outside causes, including Home and International Missions, Free Will Baptist Bible College, Free Will Baptist Family Ministries, and Pleasant View Christian School.
Sunday: Family Worship and Life Groups
The Sunday gatherings are at 1709 Highway 12 N in Ashland City. Family Worship is held at 8:30 AM and 11 AM. All ages gather together, hear from God through the teaching of Scripture, and celebrate the gift of the church to every generation. At 9:45 AM, Life Groups meet for Bible study, fellowship, and encouragement. These small groups welcome people across ages and life stages and are one practical expression of the church's emphasis on growth.
B Kids serves children from kindergarten through fifth grade at 8:30 and 11 AM on Sunday mornings.
Wednesday at 7 PM
Three regular opportunities begin together at 7 PM: Discipleship Groups, BYG, and B Kids. The discipleship gathering is a midweek Bible study with special groups for children, teens, and adults.
- B Kids serves kindergarten through fifth grade. In addition to its weekly gathering, it offers monthly events, church camp trips, Christian service training, and competition.
- BYG is for students in sixth through twelfth grade. Each gathering includes games and a Bible lesson, with different activities across the year and an annual mission trip.
These gatherings continue the church's pattern of Bible study, fellowship, encouragement, and service across age groups.
Connect, Grow, Serve
Three words summarize the way Bethlehem organizes its life and ministry. Connect means providing a welcoming home where believers connect with one another and where everyone can connect with the true and living God. Grow points to the church's desire to foster spiritual growth through small groups and ministry opportunities. Serve reflects opportunities to follow Jesus by becoming servants to Christ and others. Life Groups and the wider ministry network connect smaller groups of believers both to one another and to the community.
Pastoral and Ministry Leadership
Shiloh Hackett serves as Lead Pastor, with Daniel Brown as Student Pastor. Cameron Bee is Children's Pastor, Will Lockert is Lead Deacon, and Brandon Roysden serves in music and administration.
The Bible, Christ, Salvation, and Gospel Ordinances
Bethlehem holds that the Old and New Testaments were inspired by God and are the infallible rule of faith and practice. It affirms one living and true God, revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and believes Christ is both fully divine and fully human, the mediator between God and humanity, crucified, risen, glorified, and present as Savior and Lord. The Holy Spirit possesses all the attributes of God.
Its statement on salvation calls for repentance, faith in Christ, and continuance in faith and obedience. The church also teaches that people have a free will, the gospel invites all, and those who persevere in holiness have the promise of eternal salvation. Baptism by immersion, the Lord's Supper, and feet washing are affirmed as gospel ordinances. Bethlehem also holds to tithing, the Christian Sabbath, the resurrection and final judgment, and sexual activity within the biblical definition of marriage as a lifelong union of one man and one woman.
Rooted Locally, Sending Faith Outward
Bethlehem describes its aim as following Jesus and making an impact locally and globally by serving one another, the community, and missionary efforts around the world. It participates in the Northern Quarterly of the Cumberland Association of Free Will Baptists, the Tennessee State Association of Free Will Baptists, and the National Association of Free Will Baptists. Sunday worship, Life Groups, Wednesday discipleship, B Kids, BYG, missions, and generous giving remain the center of its church life.