In the heart of Jacksonville, Bethel Baptist Institutional Church is recognized as one of the historic monuments among churches in the State of Florida. Through the grace and mercy of God, Bethel, the Mother Baptist Church of Jacksonville, has made significant strides since her very existence. Her history has always been rich from one generation to another, focusing on many levels of spiritual living, learning, liberating and loving. The church has grown: from six chartered members to a membership of approximately ten thousand; from a racially mixed congregation to a multicultural congregation;with God's guidance, Bethel will continue to strive to serve as a beacon light to the City, the State, the Nation, and even to the uttermost parts of the World.

With your donation to Bethel Baptist Institutional Church, we will continue to reach the world with the words of Jesus Christ. Thank you for your support of God's ministry through Bethel Baptist Institutional Church.

Dr. Rudolph McKissick, Sr.

Dr. Rudolph W. McKissick, Sr. is Senior Pastor of Bethel Baptist Institutional Church. He began his Pastorate on April 1, 1966, and with the aid of the Holy Spirit, has provided leadership to a congregation, which has grown to more than 8,000. He is known to many as a “Father in the Ministry”, for he has inspired more than 50 young men and women to the call of the ministry. One being his very own son and partner in the pastorate, Dr. Rudolph W. McKissick, Jr. Known as the “Dynamic Duo”, they have provided guidance and leadership to a rapid-growing congregation which now consists of more than 9,000 members.

Dr. Rudolph McKissick, Jr.

Dr. Rudolph W. McKissick, Jr., is Senior Pastor of Bethel Baptist Institutional Church, located in Jacksonville, Florida. Prior to Pastoring in Jacksonville, Dr. McKissick pastured in Virginia and Ohio. He shares the Senior Pastor role at Bethel along with his father Rev. Rudolph McKissick, Sr.

Since his return to Bethel in 1995, over 9,000 thousand souls have been added to the ministry, bringing the active discipleship to over 12,000. McKissick is uniquely gifted at blending styles of worship from the very contemporary and urban down to the traditional without sacrificing one for the other. It has resulted in a church that is built around a unique diversity of persons from various age groups and cultures who all gather together in celebrative worship.