history

yesterday... beginning as one man's vision for the hurting children of America's prison system, Bethel Bible School began in 1954 with one house at Signal Mountain, Tennessee and six homeless brothers. Prison evangelist Floyd Hipp and his wife Helen took a step of faith to provide these children with food, shelter and an education. Reverend Hipp felt that if he could introduce these children to Jesus Christ, the cycle of crime could be broken in the family, thus Bethel's original motto, "Preventing Crime by Presenting Christ."

Ike Keay was named Executive Director in 1964. During his tenure, Bethel Bible School  experienced tremendous growth. Following God's lead, Bethel was relocated in 1969 from Signal Mountain to Hixson, Tennessee. At this time, Bethel Bible School became Bethel Bible Village.

Bob McFarland served as Executive Director in the 1990s. Bethel continued a tradition of excellence by receiving accreditation from the Council on Accreditation of Service for Families and Children. This honor established that nothing less than top quality child care services would be provided.

Under the leadership of Myron Wilkins from February, 2003 until November 2009, Bethel's mission, vision and core values were focused, strengthened and fine-tuned. An extensive amount of strategic planning was accomplished as well as redefining our fundraising efforts and communication pieces that would share the Mission and Vision. A new logo was put forth emphasizing that this ministry is "building Christ-centered lives one child at a time."  

today... Charles S. "Chuck" Baker heads the ministry as Executive Director beginning January 2011. A retiree of Unum, Baker sees his job as the building of relationships with the community, church pastors, Bethel staff and residents. As a former Bethel Board member for four years, Baker believes that God put the next chapter of his life in motion. "Bethel Bible Village has been a great ministry in the Greater Chattanooga area for 56 year," he said. "It's well-known and well-established and God has blessed the ministry. My hope is that I can continue to carry on the ministry and to take it to the next level."  Bethel Bible Village serves an average of 50 children annually. The intervention of the staff and special programs offered at Bethel help children understand they are special and can make it in life. Hope for the future is realized as they are introduced to Jesus Christ and we engage in "building Christ-centered lives...one child at a time."