Meet OurPastor

Pastor Rikki T. Ferrell, Jr., DMin

Born in Los Angeles, California, receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior by being baptized at Greater New Bethel Baptist Church in Inglewood, California. In 2009, I publicly answered His call to the preaching ministry on May 24, 2009. Shortly thereafter in 2010, I was appointed as the Youth President of the Fellowship Baptist District Association, serving several years as President, and early on I understood the importance of educating myself and received my Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theology in June 2013 from The Bible Believers Christian College and Seminary. On August 9, 2015, I was elected as the Pastor of Greater New Bethel Baptist Church which also served as the anniversary of my first sermon delivered on August 9, 2009, entitled, “Stop Running and Trust God” and I did just that. My installation was also held on October 4, 2015, my grandfather’s birthday.

My stewardship goals are based on my love of being a fisherman of men; my current pursuits include but are not limited to working on the local level as the current advisor to the Youth Department and Secretary-Treasurer of the Evangelical Board for the Fellowship Baptist District Association. I serve on the State level as President of the Evangelical Board for the California Missionary Baptist State Convention and on the National level serving as the Tent Coordinator for the Evangelical Board. I hold complete value in work and the idea that God has selected me to serve and obtain all I can learn to stand on the shoulders of many trailblazers. My passions are to serve people so they may see Jesus Christ in me and come to know Jesus for themselves and God the Father in His fullness. One of my mottoes for ministry and life is to “Accept people for who they are, and love them for how they are,” it is important that no matter what, who, where, why, or even how, everyone needs love according to 1 John 4:16; “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love, and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God and God in him.”

Meet OurPastor

Pastor Rikki T. Ferrell, Jr., DMin

Born in Los Angeles, California, receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior by being baptized at Greater New Bethel Baptist Church in Inglewood, California. In 2009, I publicly answered His call to the preaching ministry on May 24, 2009. Shortly thereafter in 2010, I was appointed as the Youth President of the Fellowship Baptist District Association, serving several years as President, and early on I understood the importance of educating myself and received my Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theology in June 2013 from The Bible Believers Christian College and Seminary. On August 9, 2015, I was elected as the Pastor of Greater New Bethel Baptist Church which also served as the anniversary of my first sermon delivered on August 9, 2009, entitled, “Stop Running and Trust God” and I did just that. My installation was also held on October 4, 2015, my grandfather’s birthday.

My stewardship goals are based on my love of being a fisherman of men; my current pursuits include but are not limited to working on the local level as the current advisor to the Youth Department and Secretary-Treasurer of the Evangelical Board for the Fellowship Baptist District Association. I serve on the State level as President of the Evangelical Board for the California Missionary Baptist State Convention and on the National level serving as the Tent Coordinator for the Evangelical Board. I hold complete value in work and the idea that God has selected me to serve and obtain all I can learn to stand on the shoulders of many trailblazers. My passions are to serve people so they may see Jesus Christ in me and come to know Jesus for themselves and God the Father in His fullness. One of my mottoes for ministry and life is to “Accept people for who they are, and love them for how they are,” it is important that no matter what, who, where, why, or even how, everyone needs love according to 1 John 4:16; “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love, and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God and God in him.”

CHURCH HISTORY

By Faith, and by Faith only, it was the 16th of October 1975 when a group of twenty-five Christian Believers assembled in the home of Mr. and Mrs. A. D. Fernandez for the primary purpose of organizing a church hopefully under the leadership of Reverend E. A. Pleasant. Realizing that the formation of a church is a matter of grave moment, the Reverend Pleasant postponed the idea until he consulted with God pertaining to this matter. Reverend Pleasant stated, "God had not yet led him in that direction, therefore it would not be necessary for him to pray over the matter in order to get direction." He encouraged the group assembled to "Wait on the Lord." Sister Clotiel Ross then asked the question as to whether he would consider organizing the group as a Mission and instruct them in the Bible each week? In answer to the question, the Reverend replied that didn't see any reason he could not organize a Mission. Agreement having been reached that this new group is instituted, after a careful and prayerful consideration Reverend Pleasant accepted the challenge of instructing the group weekly in the Word of the Lord. It was further by common consent that the group would assemble each Friday evening; not having a place of assembly, Sister Gertrude Baptiste offered her home, which was readily accepted. Here "By Faith" the group met each Friday evening, continuing in prayer and fasting. After much prayer and supplication, Reverend Pleasant under the compulsion of the Holy Spirit accepted the call to the pastorate of the newly formed group and offered the name "Greater New Bethel Baptist Church" on October 31, 1975. Deacon Cleveland Baptiste was appointed Chairman of The Board of Deacons, Deacon A.D. Rainwater, Chairman of The Board of Trustees, Sister Ethel Dillon, Church Clerk, and a Finance Committee was nominated with Deacon A.D. Rainwater as its Chairman.

December 23, 1975,
GREATER NEW BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH
held its organizational service at First Missionary Baptist Church, host Pastor R. R. Williams and Reverend M. V. Wade, Sr. of Mount Moriah Baptist Church, as Moderator of the organizational procedures. On Sunday, December 28, 1975, our first Sunday Morning Worship Service was held at Imperial Grand Council Hall located at 7101 South Menlo Avenue, here two services were held each Lord's Day until. . . . Sunday, June 13, 1976. Our auxiliary meetings were held in the various homes of the membership each week, and God blessed abundantly. On Sunday, June 20, 1976, God gave to us a building formerly known as Centinela Baptist Church located at 601 East 99th Street in the beautiful City of Inglewood, for this blessing we are eternally grateful.

Membership: Ninety-five Chartered Members Fifty-seven Candidates for Baptism Hundred-Ten persons received by Christian Experience

OUR FOUNDING PASTOR

Pastor Earl Alfred

A native of Los Angeles, Pastor Earl Alfred Pleasant was born on April 20, 1943, to the Reverend Dr. Earl Amos Pleasant, the organizer of Mount Moriah; and Olga Mae Williams Pleasant. He accepted Christ at six years old and was baptized by his father. After graduating from Los Angeles High School in 1961, Pleasant continued his education at Los Angeles Trade-Tech College and Metropolitan Business College where he earned an Associates Degree in Business Administration. He also completed courses at Biola College and Golden Gate Theological Seminary. Pleasant received his Doctor of Divinity degree from California Theological Seminary. Pleasant served four years in the U.S. Air Force and was honorably discharged at the Ramey Air Force Base in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico in 1966. Accepting the call to preach in 1974, he was ordained in June 1975 and founded Greater New Bethel six months later. Under his leadership, the congregation increased to more than 500 members, several ministries focused on the youth and adults, community outreach was implemented, and the church purchased an educational building and parking facilities. In addition, Pleasant held executive positions in several faith organizations including secretary-treasurer of the Fellowship Baptist District Association’s Evangelical Board and the National Baptist Convention of America, Inc. (NBCA). Also, he served as NBCA's second vice president and on the executive board of the Heritage Music Foundation. Pleasant’s wife of 27 years, Joan Patricia Louise Pleasant; his daughter, Pauline; and his sister, Lydia Pleasant Muse, preceded him in death. His daughter, Joan P. L. Pleasant; sisters, Norma Pleasant Beard, Margaret Pleasant Douroux, Deborah Pleasant Lindsay, and Enez Pleasant Hunter; adopted brother, Quaford Coleman, and other relatives, friends, and membejoin our newsletterrs will continue to treasure his life.

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ORGANISING PASTOR

Pastor Earl Alfred

A native of Los Angeles, Pastor Earl Alfred Pleasant was born on April 20, 1943, to the Reverend Dr. Earl Amos Pleasant, the organizer of Mount Moriah; and Olga Mae Williams Pleasant. He accepted Christ at six years old and was baptized by his father. After graduating from Los Angeles High School in 1961, Pleasant continued his education at Los Angeles Trade-Tech College and Metropolitan Business College where he earned an Associates Degree in Business Administration. He also completed courses at Biola College and Golden Gate Theological Seminary. Pleasant received his Doctor of Divinity degree from California Theological Seminary. Pleasant served four years in the U.S. Air Force and was honorably discharged at the Ramey Air Force Base in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico in 1966. Accepting the call to preach in 1974, he was ordained in June 1975 and founded Greater New Bethel six months later. Under his leadership, the congregation increased to more than 500 members, several ministries focused on the youth and adults, community outreach was implemented, and the church purchased an educational building and parking facilities. In addition, Pleasant held executive positions in several faith organizations including secretary-treasurer of the Fellowship Baptist District Association’s Evangelical Board and the National Baptist Convention of America, Inc. (NBCA). Also, he served as NBCA's second vice president and on the executive board of the Heritage Music Foundation. Pleasant’s wife of 27 years, Joan Patricia Louise Pleasant; his daughter, Pauline; and his sister, Lydia Pleasant Muse, preceded him in death. His daughter, Joan P. L. Pleasant; sisters, Norma Pleasant Beard, Margaret Pleasant Douroux, Deborah Pleasant Lindsay, and Enez Pleasant Hunter; adopted brother, Quaford Coleman, and other relatives, friends, and members will continue to treasure his life.