Response to the "Bethel Experience" as captured on Because You Are Worthy was so overwhelming that it spurred a welcome influx of new members that has dramatically increased the size of the church. In the two years since the album's release, church rolls have taken on an additional 4000 new members. The congregation is now bursting at the seams, nearly 10,000 strong.

As word spread, the music industry began to take notice of McKissick's "Bethel-style" worship along with the 200+ strong voice Word and Worship Mass Choir and the innovative spirit of the church. As a result, McKissick received numerous invitations to perform and preach at special events throughout the country. He was a featured speaker at the Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA) last year and will be speaking at the prestigious event this year as well.

"The Bethel Experience" in music is a stylistically diverse, exuberant worship experience that is part of the life of the church, and a magnet that has brought waves of people to its doors. It is captured once again on the sophomore project from McKissick & the Word and Worship Mass Choir, What A Time!, which can best be described in McKissick's own words as, "down home church with an urban feeling."

GRAMMY-nominated producer/artist, Troy Sneed (The Preacher's Wife soundtrack, Georgia Mass Choir) wears the producer's hat again for What A Time! and has walked closely with McKissick on both projects. Having formed a partnership with his long-time friends and colleagues at Allen & Allen Music Group (AAMG,) Troy Sneed Ministries and AAMG released Because You Are Worthy in May 2002, on the AAMG label. As Sneed worked to complete the organization of his own label, he announced the formation of his much-anticipated Emtro Gospel nearly a year later. McKissick's current project, What A Time!, has the distinction of being the first release from the Emtro Gospel label.

A live recording with a praise and worship theme, the project boasts some of the most sought after names in Gospel music, including GRAMMY winner Kevin Bond (Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams,) who wrote the title-cut, which is a re-make of a traditional standard, given new life through a decidedly youthful, urban arrangement. Gospel legend Rev. Milton Biggham (Executive Director of Savoy Records) adds the stirring encouragement of "You'll Come Out Alright" and Sneed lends his vocal prowess on the youthful, Jamaican island feel of "Glory and Honor," as well as songwriting skills on "Glory To His Name," all reflecting the diverse musical journey that is a mere snap shot of "The Bethel Experience."

"One of the things about this CD," said McKissick, "No matter what music you like, there is something on this project you will love. In addition to the reverence of traditional songs or hymns, you are also going to hear a lot of urban beats and some R& B. What a Time!, like the first album, really mirrors the music ministry of this church."

"That's one of the things that really added to the success of the last album and will attract people to What A Time!," explained Sneed. "The major focus for both What A Time! and for Emtro Gospel as a label, is to create music for the Sunday morning worship experience. Whether you're Full Gospel, Baptist, Methodist, Church of God in Christ, or Southern Baptist, we try to have something that would fit any worship experience. Our goal is to bridge the gap between denominations, between ages and worship styles."

"I think one of the things that is missing in the music industry at this time are strong church choirs that have 'singable' music that other choirs can use," added McKissick. " What you'll hear on this project is a strong 200+ voice choir that is very balanced and sings songs that other ministers of music could purchase and easily teach to their choirs."

Each Sunday, under the direction of McKissick, the worship leader and Bethel's Word and Worship Mass Choir lead the congregation on an exhilarating journey through a variety of musical styles. "The 'Bethel Experience' is very diverse, with hymns, spirituals, anthems, as well as contemporary," explained Pastor McKissick. "In most every worship service you will hear one rendition of each of those styles. No matter what you like, you'll hear it before the end of the service."

The music of Bethel's Word and Worship Mass Choir has been one of the main calling cards for the 165-year-old Bethel Baptist Institutional Church, Florida's oldest existing Baptist church. Founded in 1838, with a tiny congregation, Bethel Baptist was burned to the ground in Jacksonville's great fire of 1901. A portion of the church building, erected after the fire, is listed on the national registry of historic landmarks of Florida.

McKissick was born the son of a preacher, who continues to serve in a pastoral capacity at Bethel Baptist Church. "My father pastored this very church before me," said McKissick. "Growing up as the pastor's son who could sing, I was always being put on stage. My first solo was a hymn called "Even Me" when I was 7 years old. So I've been singing my whole life."

Nearly fourteen years ago, McKissick married his wife Kimberly Joy and the couple has three children he lovingly refers to as the "trinity," Jocelyn, (11), Janai, (8) and Joshua (7). He earned his undergraduate degree in music from Jacksonville University with a double major in opera and sacred music. In addition, McKissick is an accomplished keyboardist, playing both piano and organ. He pastored churches in Richmond, Virginia and Toledo, Ohio before returning home to step behind the pulpit of Bethel Baptist Church, where he and his father share the role of senior pastor. And even with his obvious gifting as a pastor and teacher, and having traveled worldwide preaching, teaching and singing, McKissick stays very involved in the music ministry of the church in conjunction with Bethel's Minister of Music. In March, McKissick will be consecrated as a Bishop, presiding over a fellowship of ministers who began their ministry at Bethel.

Even with the astonishingly rapid growth, Bethel has plentiful outlets for service, ministry and community for everyone who ventures through its doors. Bethel Baptist's elaborate organization includes a range of departments from a Deaf Ministry, Outreach to Homeless in the community, Drama Ministry, the educational enhancement ministry called B.E. S. T. (Bethel Enhancing Students Totally), Health Ministry, Golf, Basketball, Football, Karate, Aquatics and a Scholarship Ministry (serving Bethel's college bound students), as well as many others.

Although not a member of Bethel Baptist Institutional Church, producer Troy Sneed has become closely tied to McKissick and shares the experience of watching the new history of Bethel as it unfolds with the increasing success of each new project. "Jacksonville is really blessed to have Bethel in that city," said Sneed. "Its members are so involved and active in that church and reach far beyond the four walls on Sunday morning. They recorded their music, the church exploded with new members and ministry and we knew we needed to keep this thing going. We don't yet know the far-reaching effect that this music and ministry will have both in the music industry and beyond, but I believe we are in the beginning stages with even more amazing things that God will do through this ministry."