PASTOR
OUR STAFF. OUR MISSION
Becoming Life-Long Followers of Jesus
We believe in the full authority of Scripture as the inspired Word of God. We believe in the Trinity as God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit. We believe that there is only one God, who sent his son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins so that we can have eternal life. We believe there is no other way to obtain salvation or forgiveness for sins, other than through faith the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Our team is dedicated to serving you and making your experience at Bethlehem rich and rewarding. We are completely in love with Jesus and we hope that our words and actions point to HIm. Bethlehem is blessed to have an amazing team of ministry workers and volunteers with a common goal and vision – to follow Jesus, and help other follow Him too. Bethlehem Baptist Church is a member of the Southern Baptist Convention. We are also part of the Madison Baptist Association.
Jonathan Plunkett is our pastor and was hired in February of 2023. He graduated from Shorter University with his bachelor’s degree in Christian Studies and a minor in psychology. He was called to ministry during his sophomore year of high school. During college, he met his wife Kensley, and they got married on June 27, 2020. His goal in ministry is to point people to Jesus Christ in all that we do as a church. His desire is to see the lost come to know Christ and the saved to grow and mature in their faith as they walk out the Christian life on a day-to-day basis.
Buford received his B.A. Degree in Religion and Music from Samford University in 1971. He went on to attend New Orleans Baptist Seminary and returned to North Alabama in 1973. Since that time he has consistently served as Minister of Music in a number of churches in Madison and Morgan Counties. He and his wife, Betty were married at Brindlee Mountain Baptist Church on June 30, 1996 and joined Bethlehem Baptist on their first anniversary, June 30, 1997; serving as our Minister of Music since then.
BUFORD WARREN
WORSHIP MINISTER
Richard graduated high school at Calico Rock, Arkansas in 1969; served and retired from the U.S. Army after 21 years in 1990 and he and his family joined Bethlehem in May of that year. He received my BS in Computer Science from Park University in College Park, MO in 1996. He has served as a deacon in several churches to include Bethlehem since 1981. Richard surrendered to the ministry in 1998 and was licensed here at Bethlehem Baptist Church. He currently serve this role on a volunteer basis.
RICHARD BROWNING
EDUCATION MINISTER