Bethel Baptist Church was born in the heart of  a people who felt the need of a Bible believing Baptist Church. This group of people started meeting in January 1976 under the leadership of Rev. J. Carswell Milligan. The group continued to meet for a period of 18 months even though no organizational service was held.

In March of 1977, Rev. Milligan resigned as "pastor" of this group of believers. In June 1977, Bible Baptist Church in Savannah, Georgia, Dr. Cecil Hodges, pastor, agreed to become the sponsoring church of this group of believers. In June 1977, an organizational meeting was held in Richmond Hill with Dr. Hodges serving as moderator. During this meeting the church called William N. Sheppard of Savannah, Georgia as pastor. The church voted to adopt its constitution and by-laws as a New Testament Baptist Church. The church was organized with approximately 35 people. Bro. Sheppard would continue as pastor of the church until July 1981. During this time the church grew to an average of 75 and started supporting Independent Baptist Missionaries.

The church in Oct. 1981 voted to call Carlton Cooper from Augusta, Georgia as pastor. Pastor Cooper and his family assumed the pastorate on Nov. 1, 1981. Pastor Cooper and his wife, Lynette, have three children and eight grandchildren. He pastored Bethel Baptist Church faithfully for thirty-three and a half years. During this time, the Lord greatly blessed and prospered his ministry to the community of Richmond Hill, Georgia; the church grew and matured greatly under his leadership. Pastor Carlton Cooper went home to be with the Lord on July 29th, 2015.

In November of 2015, Bethel extended a call to Brian Cooper (son of the late Carlton Cooper) to become the next pastor. Pastor Brian followed the Lord's call to become the Pastor of Bethel Baptist Church and arrived on January 27th, 2016. Pastor Brian is married to Eja and has four children.

Bethel Baptist Church has grown and God has blessed over the years. Prior to Covid, the church averaged 275 to 300 on Sunday mornings. It also supports and partners with 100 different missions projects. Over the years, the church has given in excess of 2 million dollars to worldwide missions through Faith Promise Missions giving. Bethel has had the pleasure to send out many of its members into full-time Christian ministry, such as church planters, pastors, and missionaries. The church is busy serving God through a number of outreach ministries doing it's best at fulfilling the Great Commission.

After many years of ministry, Bethel Baptist Church continues to be a Bible-believing Baptist Church. By God's grace, it will continue to be a light in our area and around the world.