Our History & Future
The history of Bethesda began in the old Stockyards district of Fort Worth in the 1930s. There are testimonies of many miracles, signs, and wonders that took place during the early years, particularly during the 1950s and 1960s. A vibrant group of believers formed this strong church that became known for its revival meetings and weekly radio program.
Then, in the early 1970s, the congregation began to dream about moving the church to a new location, positioning the church for future growth.
M.F. Martin, a committed church member, set out to find the perfect place to build a new sanctuary. Driving around one day, M.F. found a little hill on a 3000-acre ranch, just north of Fort Worth on Alta Vista Drive (which would later be renamed North Beach Street). In M.F.’s mind, the location was perfect – though there was nothing surrounding the area at the time except empty fields.
Just a few years prior, work on Interstate 35 would expand the highway northward from 28th Street to Interstate 820. It would soon continue on to Denton, then into Oklahoma. It is certainly possible M.F. knew this would create an explosion of growth all around this little hill, though it would be years until this area would be developed.
M.F. was so taken with the little hill on Alta Vista Road, he was undeterred when developers refused to sell a small plot for the church. A much larger plot was for sell, and they would only sell it in its entirety. That certainly wouldn’t stop M.F. He decided to buy the entire plot of land himself. He then he donated a 26-acre plot to the church.
Soon the church began construction on a new facility.
In 1976, God sent Pastor Desmond T. Evans to lead the congregation into a new season of growth – both in depth and in number. Under the leadership of Pastor Des, church was renamed to Bethesda Community Church. In Hebrew, Bethesda means, “house of mercy,” and it has certainly been just that over the last four decades. Pastor Des’ influence on this House of Mercy cannot be overstated, and it will certainly last for decades to come.
In 1977, the church began the Wee Wisdom Day Care. Pastor Des’ wife Mary and others were instrumental in opening the day care as a service and ministry to the church and community. Soon after, the Lord began stirring the hearts of some within the fellowship. Might it be the right time to begin a Christian school on the campus? The church would host many prayer meetings – long, into-the-night prayer meetings – with faithful men and women who would determine if this were the right next step for Bethesda. After sensing the “divine yes,” Bethesda Christian School was launched in 1980.
Through the 1980s and 1990s, Bethesda would thrive under the leadership of Pastor Des Evans.
The church became known for Pastor Des’ incredible teaching and preaching, as well as the dynamic music ministry of our choir and orchestra. The ministry was flourishing, and people were coming to know the Lord Jesus. Lives were being changed, and those dealing with disappointments, grief, or failure were finding a place of mercy and grace to gain respite and healing for their souls.
To hear sermons from Pastor Des, please visit desevans.com.
Through the 1980s and 1990s, Bethesda would thrive under the leadership of Pastor Des.
Bethesda Christian School would continue to expand, gaining a new grade each year until the school was complete – kindergarten through 12th grade.
During those years, the growing community would necessitate building projects to house all the new growth.
An educational annex, added in 1984, included a gymnasium, classrooms, and kitchen. The following year, the M.F. Martin ballfield was dedicated. Growth continued, and in 1996, expansion once again became necessary to provide more daycare classrooms, offices, and a youth auditorium. In 2006, Bethesda broke ground on another addition that included a youth lounge, coffee shop, and a children’s wing with an auditorium.
In 2011, Pastor Des retired and became Bethesda’s Pastor Emeritus. At that time, the congregation elected then-Music Pastor J. Daniel Smith as Senior Pastor.
During this time, Bethesda began to expand multi-ethnically and multi-generationally.
In October 2021, Bethesda retired all debt on the campus and celebrated with a mortgage-burning service. That evening, church leadership unveiled dreams for future growth and expansion. In January 2023, Bethesda broke ground on an expansion to the facility’s south side, which houses new classrooms, meeting spaces, and an industrial kitchen.
In October of 2024, Bethesda elected Dr. Wayman and Kimberly Ming to serve as lead pastors. Pastor Wayman previously served churches as pastor in Missouri and California, and most recently, he served as the general bishop of the Pentecostal Church of God.
Over eight decades, Bethesda has remained a stable, solid, committed fellowship of believers of Jesus, who have their feet on the ground and heart toward the Lord.
Pastor Wayman is also the founder and president of Exceed International and has authored several books.
For over eight decades, Bethesda has remained a stable, solid, committed fellowship of believers in Christ Jesus. Our mission is to live out Bethesda’s name by being A House of Mercy to Everyone, Everywhere. With a strong history, we look forward to the future with great expectancy.