Bethel Gospel Assembly is a church located in the heart of Harlem. From Bethel's inception in 1917 it has been a foundation in the Harlem community. We provide numerous ministries and programs that help those in Harlem, and the rest of the world.
Pastor Carlton Theophilus Brown was consecrated Senior Pastor of Bethel Gospel Assembly, Inc., in Harlem, New York, February 2000. He previously served as an Associate Pastor of Bethel under the leadership of Bishop Ezra N. Williams from January 1981 until February 2000, when God directed Bishop Williams to pass the Mantle of Leadership into his hands. Today Bethel Gospel Assembly is a Loving, Learning and LaunchingChurch with 1200 members and 40 auxiliaries.
Raised in Bethel since birth by his parents, Deacon Theophilus and Evangelist Lois P. Brown, Pastor Brown received a strong foundation in the believer's role in world evangelism; but little did he know the extent to which God was going to use him towards this endeavor.
His secular training led him to the fulfillment of his dream in becoming a teacher with the New York City Board of Education. He served in that capacity from 1978 until the Lord called him into full-time ministry in October of 1987.
As a visionary Pastor, he has founded Bethel Gospel Global Assemblies under which five churches have been planted with locations in the Bronx, New York; Hackensack, New Jersey; Paterson, New Jersey and Norfolk, Virginia. The Bethel Community Development Corporation was established to serve as the umbrella organization for future initiatives. In 2004, the Northeast Regional Great Commission Conference was inaugurated to equip leadership and laity of the local church to transform their urban and global community through their commitment to fulfill "The Great Commission", as stated in Matthew 28:19-20. He expanded Bethel's short-term missions' involvement to include medical missions to countries such as Venezuela, Nigeria and Santo Domingo. In September 2005, construction began on the new 2000 seat sanctuary, which is being built on the Fifth Avenue side of the existing city square block of property. In January 2006, Bethel dedicated its 364 acre Harmony Estates Project in South Africa which houses a church, Christian boarding school, Youth Resource Center, and skills training program. Pastor Brown recently established the Katrina Strategic Action Commission (K-SAC), a two year commission to strategically reach out to those who desperately need our help in the Gulf Coast states.
