Church History

On April 12, 1989, led by the Holy Spirit, Reverend B.C. Thomas and twenty-two individuals met at 808 19th Street, West Palm Beach, Florida and organized Bibleway Missionary Baptist Church. Reverend J.W.H Thomas, Jr., Reverend B.W. Williams and Reverend Nathan Sears were also in attendance at that meeting. The First church service was held on April 16, 1989 at 808 19th Street and we endeavored to look for a building or a lot upon which to build our church. The Adult Choir, Sunday School and Senior Usher Board were established at that time. During the illness and passing of Reverend B.C Thomas, Bibleway members were under the hands of Reverend B.W. Williams, who was serving as acting Assistant Pastor. On February 27, 1990, Bibleway Missionary Baptist Church voted to have Reverend James E. Bentley serve as our interim Pastor in order to move forward with the plans and ideas established by Reverend B.C. Thomas. On March 25, 1990, Reverend James E. Bentley was called as the pastor of Bibleway Missionary Baptist Church. Under Reverend James E. Bentley’s leadership, he purchased the southwest lot located on the corner of 15th Street and Spruce Avenue in West Palm Beach. He directed the process of completing an application to get the property re-zoned from the City of West Palm Beach Zoning Board in order to build our church.

The Lord has blessed us tremendously through the leadership of Reverend James E. Bentley. He has accomplished many things for the members of Bibleway Missionary Baptist Church. He has licensed eight ministers, ordained 11 deacons, of which 5 are now ministers and he has received 4 deacons by letter. In 1994, we laid the cornerstone for Bibleway Missionary Baptist Church. Our kitchen is fully equipped in the church Fellowship Hall.

Under the leadership of Pastor Bentley, the following auxiliaries were established: The Youth Choir, The Mission Department, The Young Women and Young Matrons, The Deacon Board, Men Working for Jesus, The Couples Ministry, Prayer Meeting, The James E. Bentley Mass Choir, The Young Peoples Ministry, Girls Gospel Talk, Bibleway Summer Camp and Genesis Community Day School. Pastor Bentley had a vision from God to take the necessary steps and direct the building of our church.

He arranged for the financing to build our church. He has accepted over 500 members into Bibleway Missionary Baptist Church. Through the teaching and preaching of the unadulterated gospel, the church has grown spiritually. Reverend Bentley’s prayer meetings and bible study classes are constantly growing. We the members of Bibleway Missionary Baptist Church say Thank you Pastor James E. Bentley for allowing God to use you to build Bibleway.
Our prayer is that God will continue to bless Bibleway’s members and friends.