Bethel Baptist Church’s 35th Anniversary

February 13-17, 2008
Rota, Spain
CAPTAIN Larry Clarke USN (ret)

Pastors, Pastor’s wives, and former members gathered in Rota, Spain 13-17 February 2008 with Pastor Chris Parker and the current congregation to celebrate the 35th Anniversary of Bethel Baptist Church. It was exciting to have all but two of missionaries present who had occupied the pulpit for more than 30 days since the church was founded in 1973 (only furlough fill-ins Jim Whitted (1992) and John Beck (2002-2003)) were unable to attend. Bethel Baptist Church continues its service to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the U.S. Military through a body of believers and full time pastors and missionaries spread all over the world. Innumerable numbers of men over the years have committed to full time service, attended Bible College/University, and are in full time service today. During my two stints in Rota as a member of Bethel over 6 years, I can remember at least 17 men committing to full time service.

The festivities began with the first service on Wednesday night with a Scriptural exposition by Pastor Parker followed by a sermon by the first missionary to lead the formation of Bethel Baptist Church, Eddie Woodfield. Eddie was a BIMI missionary at that time. Eddie currently serves our Lord as Director, Oremundo Missions in Action in Missions, TX.

Thursday and Friday were spent in fellowship and relaxing. On Thursday the group had an excursion to Medina Sidiona for the day. By Friday all who had scheduled to attend had arrived. It was a wonderful time of remembering all that God has done for all of us. Many were saved while at Rota. Others were discipled and all saw growth in their spiritual lives. Our times of sharing reconfirmed how key the roots we had in Rota at Bethel were the mainstay of our faith and commitment to Christ today.

God also brought to our remembrance how strong a Levante can be as we had one for almost the entire time we were in Rota. The Levante is a warm, east to northeast wind that flows from the Alboran Channel and is funneled through the Strait of Gibraltar. Persistent winds in the 50-70 mph are not uncommon. We avoided the winds and spent Friday evening at the Parker home enjoying a wonderful meal prepared by Charlotte Lowe and Junior Parker.

Saturday we had two services, one at 11 AM and the second at 6 PM with two messages at each service. Missionaries Rodney Parrott and Roy Smith delivered challenging messages. The time of being stirred Spiritually continued with two messages in the evening service brought by Pastors Parker and Parrott. Sunday morning former members Jim Reese and I were fortunate enough to be allowed to bring short Sunday School lessons followed by Eddie Woodfield delivering the morning message. Sunday evening, former interim Pastor from 1978, Roy Lowe delivered a most inspiring message with slides on the nation of Israel. Roy is with the International Board of Jewish Missions and directs IBJM’s efforts in Spanish speaking countries. Everyone was afforded the opportunity to provide testimony of what Christ and Bethel meant to them. I will highlight a few of the testimonies.

Ms Linda Green, former Navy CPO and Bethel member, currently serving full time as a missionary in Uganda provided a testimony of her salvation and growth at Bethel. She also described the work she is doing for our Lord at an orphanage.

Peter and Jenny Pagliaro from Yorkshire, England attend Bethel while on vacation for a month every year. Fortunately for all of us they were there for the reunion. Jenny gave a most endearing testimony about her upbringing as the daughter of a family who served in a ministry started by Hudson Taylor, the China Inland Mission. Jenny was just 6 months old when her family returned to China after their second furlough. When she reached the age of five in West China with her parents, she was sent with other school age children to Chefoo in North East China for school. Once the Japanese invaded China, she was held captive there (1941-1945) and did not see her parents for almost five years. She and her family returned in England in 1950 when she was 10 years old. We all had time to discuss her situation is depth during fellowship times.

Ernie Hathaway was able to join the anniversary celebration all the way from Honolulu, HI but his wife Brenda could not get away. Ernie did encourage his grown son Ernie Junior to make his first overseas trip for the anniversary and it was exciting to see his enjoyment in of all the festivities. He was emotional in his call for all of us to be sure we know Christ.

Today, Rota is different from the way we all remember it. Now the Spanish are wealthy and the Americans are at the lower end of the economic spectrum. You see few if any mopeds which have been replaced by modern automobiles and very nice (and expensive) homes. No more dirty streets but rather cleaning crews out early every morning sweeping the streets. No more garbage beach but clean and built up beaches that reach out into the Atlantic. The American population has greatly diminished with almost all married families living on base and even singles qualifying for single family base housing. A modern shopping complex has been constructed on base as well as a new high school, fire department and building 1. The area from VQ-2 hangar past the old VR-22 and VP hangars plus the Tactical Support Center are all fenced off with no activity at all. The Naval Communications Station is now a Communications Activity and the circular displaced antenna array on the back of the base is gone. The ramp has been greatly expanded to accommodate C-5 aircraft. The bottom line is the job of reaching the U.S. military is much more difficult for Pastor Parker as the lost are sequestered behind a fence he cannot penetrate still the need is still there and souls need to hear the Gospel.

I am thankful God took on human form and walked this earth as the Son without blemish to take my sins to the cross. I am thankful to faithful men who established and perpetuated Bethel Baptist Church. I am thankful for the members who faithfully visited every Thursday night until I finally accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior. I am thankful God allows me to be part of His army. I praise His name that my entire family knows Him as Lord and Savior. Let us not forget our roots. Bethel will live in my heart and be in my prayers forever. We ARE a body of believers.

Editor’s Note: Larry Clarke is building a data base of former Bethel Members to be used for the next reunion which will be in the US in about 3-4 years. Please pass his e-mail and mailing address to all former Bethelites. Larry.carol@cox.net; 3025 Marquette Ave, Pensacola, FL 32505