Worship Location: 6016 Allentown Road, Camp Springs, MD 20746
Mailing Address: 9201 Edgeworth Drive #4734 Capitol Heights, MD 20791
Office Phone: (301) 499 - 7115
Inclement Weather Notice
Homecoming Picnic 8/22/26
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Sermon 8/2/26 (**NEW**):
"The choice is yours"
Pastor Lehman d. Bates
First Bethel Baptist Church Announcements – Sunday, August 2, 2026
The following are our church announcements for the week:
Our Sunday School Class occurs each Sunday at 9:00 a.m. and all are invited to come out and participate. Our Noon Day Bible Study Class, which normally occurs each Tuesday, has been suspended for the month of August so everyone can enjoy the remainder of the summer with their families.
On behalf of our Pastor, thank you to everyone who accompanied him last Sunday to First Baptist Church of Fairmont Heights as we celebrated the “24th Pastoral Anniversary Celebration of Dr. Bernard Winchester.” It was a lovely fellowship!
On Saturday, August 22nd, our “Annual Homecoming Cookout” will take place at Watkins Regional Park, Picnic Shelter #7, followed by our “Homecoming & Family Emphasis Worship Service” on Sunday, August 23rd. Flyers and a sign-up sheet are posted in the church entrance, so please sign up to volunteer today! In addition to food, supplies, and beverage items, we also need volunteers to assist with setup or clean-up at the park. Monetary donations towards the cookout preparations are also welcome. We have such a fun fellowship together every year, so we hope everyone will participate. If you have any questions regarding the sign-up sheet or donations, please see Deaconess Alphonise Artis.
We extend “Happy Birthday Wishes” to everyone born in the month of August. This week we showcase two of our members – Lauren Weaver will celebrate her birthday on Thursday, August 6th, and Deaconess Antoinette Vallier will celebrate her birthday on Friday, August 7th. God bless you both and we hope you have fun celebrating your birthdays this week.
As we continue to pray for our Pastor and everyone on our sick and shut-in list, thank you for sending cards or text messages to all our church family and friends who are also experiencing ongoing health challenges and bereavement.
Thought for the Week
“Sing your song for God alone! Laugh as much as you breathe,
and truly Love others as long as you live.”
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3pm Appreciation Service
Speakers:
-
Damien Briggs
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Bernard Winchester
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Anthony Maclin
Pastor Bates' Thank You
“I want to sincerely thank the Pastors: Dr. Lehman D. Bates, II, Ebenezer Baptist Church – Charlottesville, VA; Dr. Damion Briggs, Eastern Community Church – Landover, MD; Dr. Bernard Winchester, First Baptist Church of Fairmont Heights – Fairmont Heights, MD; Bishop Anthony G. Maclin – The Sanctuary at Kingdom Square, Upper Marlboro, MD that preached the WORD; the Pastors, the Ministers, the First Bethel Family; present and former members of First Baptist Church of Marshall Heights, Washington, DC; and all of my Brothers and Sisters in Christ, who came together and those who could not attend, to make this a very special day for me.
Your presence, fellowship, love, time and generosity will never be forgotten. To God Be The Glory… For The Things HE Has Done!!!
I am truly beyond grateful. Thank you so very much!” – Dr. Lehman D. Bates
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Welcome to First Bethel Baptist Church
Welcome to the Website of FBBC of Camp Springs, MD
Thank you for visiting us.
On behalf of myself and the First Bethel Church family, we welcome you to our sanctuary. It is our hope that your experience with us will strengthen your relationship with God, cultivate your desire to link with our church and its numerous activities, and/or accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
At your first opportunity, you are invited to come and Worship with us on Sunday Mornings at 10:00AM. Sunday Church School Classes for all ages begins at 9:00AM.
Moreover, on each Tuesday of the week Structured Scripture Study is taught by Pastor Bates at 12 Noon and 7:00PM, everyone is welcome to attend.
Additionally, Members and Friends of FBBC can contribute Tithes, Offerings and Special Gifts through our various QR Code/PayPal links on this web page (including below).
“My Prayer for You is that the LORD will Bless You and Keep You Daily.”
(Psalm 118:24)
Lehman D. Bates, Pastor
About Our Church
Committed to Spreading the Good News
The First Bethel Baptist Church of Capitol Heights Maryland was organized and held the initial Worship Service on Sunday, December 23, 2012 under the dynamic leadership of our beloved Pastor and Organizer, Dr. Lehman D. Bates. The initial service was held at our previous location, 9171 Central Avenue, Capitol Heights, MD with a total of 47 members. The Lord allowed us to grow and we were officially incorporated in January 2013 with a Charter Membership of 83 Members. Today we thank God for a total of 107 members, more than twice our initial number in ONE YEAR.
GOD has continued to bless us with three faithful and dynamic ministers of the gospel; as well as the support and prayers of three Sons of the Church and their wives as Charter Members. These ministers continue to help and support our Pastor and our Church. Through God’s grace and love we receive many expressions of love and support from non-members and friends – we are blessed!
After much prayer and fasting, the Lord directed Pastor Bates to complete the organization of our church family for the work and glory of GOD. The structure now includes: Board of Deacons, Board of Deaconess, Board of Trustees, Budget Committee, Church Clerk, Church Secretaries, Music Staff, Missionary Ministry, Welcome & Announcement Committee, Church School, New Members Class, Ushers, First Bethel Gospel Choir, Golden Saints/Travel Fellowship and Revival/Hospitality Committee. The Young Adult Fellowship, Nurses Unit, Christian Education, a Historian and the FBBC Media Powerhouse Committees are still being developed. The Church By-Laws were completed and ratified. The church purchased a new set of drums and microphones. The Golden Saints/Travel Fellowship sponsored their first trip to see Moses on March 28, 2014. Our first Fall Revival was held Sunday, September 22 through Wednesday, September 25, 2013. Dr. Marshall F. Prentice, Pastor of the Zion Baptist Church in Baltimore, MD was the evangelist.
Also, the church baptized three young people: Nyha Lavern Shaw, Talayia Maria Sharon Rhode and Zander Aiden Perry. We have mourned the lost of numerous members over the years, and we continue to pray for those families. We have supported bereaved families inside and outside our church family, as we dedicate ourselves to spreading the love of God.
Our congregation presently supports both foreign and local missions. We continue to honor families with Thanksgiving Baskets on any given year in support of families in need. The Lord also blessed us to purchase, wrap and send Christmas Gifts to The Joseph Francis General Hospital Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies for patients unable to go home for Christmas. The growth and stability of our congregation will lead to the continued support of education, foreign and local missions, and many other areas that our Pastor envisions, encourages and the Lord allows us to be a part of.
With Christ and Pastor, our church will make a difference as we spread the love and peace of God throughout the world.
About the Pastor
Biographical Sketch
Of
Dr. Lehman D. Bates
Dr. Lehman D. Bates, a native of Columbus, Ohio, was licensed to the Gospel Ministry and ordained into the Pastoral Ministry through the Union Grove Baptist Church in Columbus, Ohio, and the Columbus, Ohio Baptists Pastor’s Conference. He currently serves as the spiritually pragmatic Pastor of the First Bethel Baptist Church in Capitol Heights, MD. Previously he pastored First Baptist Church of Marshall Heights, Washington, DC; Victory Baptist Church in Pittsburgh, PA; and Second Baptist Church in Delaware, OH.
Dr. Bates is a dedicated teacher, profound thinker, and motivating humanitarian. As a dedicated Pastor, preacher, teacher, and speaker, he desires to be a positive motivator of individuals and groups, encouraging them to achieve their full potential. He travels and ministers domestically and internationally to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ and provide counseling, health care support, medical supplies, and enlightened meaning of the Word to developing countries. His mission travels include the Caribbean, East & West Africa, Israel, Iran, Saudi Arabia, India, West Indies and Europe, among others. Moreover, he is the Executive Director of “Global Faith Alliance,” which has provided health care support, counseling, and the work of missions in St. Kitts-Nevis and Haiti.
As a family man, Dr. Bates is the grateful and honored father of one son, Pastor Lehman D. Bates II, who is married to the former Gloria Pailen, and one daughter, Lori DeVon Bates Curry, who is married to Melvin Curry and the parents of Dr. Bates’ three delightful and loving granddaughters.
Worship Service Hours
Come Worship with Us!
Sundays:
9am - Church Sunday School in the Polar Room
10am - Sunday Service in the sanctuary
Tuesday Bible Study: noon
First Sunday: Communion and Right Hand of Fellowship
Sermon Bible Verse for 8/2/26
Joshua 24: 14-24
14 Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord.
15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
16 And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the Lord, to serve other gods;
17 For the Lord our God, he it is that brought us up and our fathers out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and which did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way wherein we went, and among all the people through whom we passed:
18 And the Lord drave out from before us all the people, even the Amorites which dwelt in the land: therefore will we also serve the Lord; for he is our God.
19 And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the Lord: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins.
20 If ye forsake the Lord, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good.
21 And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the Lord.
22 And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you the Lord, to serve him. And they said, We are witnesses.
23 Now therefore put away, said he, the strange gods which are among you, and incline your heart unto the Lord God of Israel.
24 And the people said unto Joshua, The Lord our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey.
First Timers at First Bethel Baptist Church
First Bethel Baptist Church is an open and welcoming church. From humble beginnings, we have grown into a sizeable congregation. Our typical services include prayer, sermon and community inclusiveness. We are always overjoyed when people want to come to worship with us, so please know there’s always room for more in our ranks. We look forward to meeting you.
PASTOR'S CORNER
Lehman D. Bates
CHANGE YOUR FACE
Every personality has a face. SMILE! How do you see yourself? What’s your real self- esteem quotient on a scale of 0 (low) – 10 (solid)? Hopefully the face of your personality is not marred, twisted, inferior, ugly, or caustic.
The feelings and pictures you have about yourself form your self–image. How you view yourself consists of both emotional feelings and mental pictures, this is your selfconcept. What you see and feel about yourself will determine your relationship with other people and with God. The Scripture statement is significant here as it brings the heart and mind together: “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7)
A sound and secure self–esteem is viable without arrogance or selfishness. A healthy, Godly self–image is essential to virtuous growth in character, personality and disposition. In his book, “The Sensation of Being Somebody,” Dr. Maurice Wagner discusses three (3) basic components essential to a healthy self–image:
A sense of belongingness, of being loved: you are loved; accepted; enjoyed; cared for.
A sense of worth and value: you count; you have something to offer.
A sense of being competent: you can do this task; you can cope with that situation; you are able to meet life.
You are somebody. You belong to God and He Loves you so much. You count. He gave Himself for you through Christ and you have something to offer. Never underestimate your capability. You are fit for the task. As you believe in God, BELIEVE in yourself. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you (Philippians 4:13). Change your face! SMILE.
DR. LEHMAN D. BATES, PASTOR
Church calendar news
5/5 - 5/7/26: Baptist Educational Congress
5/21/26 -Payments due for Martha's Vineyard
August (upcoming): Trip to California - tentative
prayer for healing corner
Please pray for and send cards of encouragement to all our sick, shut-in, and/or bereaved members and friends.
Online Resources
Scripture Study Archives
(coming soon)
Organizational Profile
Dr LEHMAN D. BATES, PASTOR & ORGANIZER
FIRST BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH
2025 OFFICERS, MINISTERS, ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF, ORGANIZATION LEADERS
BOARD OF DEACONS:
Michael Artis – Chairman
Khaliff Kassim – Vice Chairman
Kelvin Cooke
Herbert Corbin
Boyd Covington, Jr,
John Curenton
Murphy Hackett
Eddie Johnson
Marvin Nash
George Turner
BOARD OF TRUSTEES:
Eddie Johnson – Chairman
Mikal Ba’th
Boyd Covington, Jr
John Curenton
Terry Joyner
Kim Outlaw
George Turner
Rhonda Weaver
ASSISTANT TO PASTOR:
Phillip M. Coram, Retired Associate Pastor
Lewis Fortune, Minister (ill)
Gregory Gavin, Minister
Robert D. Morgan, Minister
Vaughn D. Perry, Minister
BOARD OF DEACONESS:
Rosetta Artis - Chairlady
Cassandra Cooke - Secretary
Gloria Anderson
Alphonise Artis
Regina L. Brown
Rhodenia Coram
Sibbie Corbin
Petrina Covington
Linda A. Curenton
Frances Felder
Linda Morgan
Antoinette Vallier
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF:
Faye Highsmith - Church Clerk & Finance/ Budget
Regina L. Brown – Church Secretary
Cassandra Cooke – Church Administrative Aide
Vonzy Davis – Church Bulletin Coordinator
2025 - ORGANIZATION LEADERS
MISSIONARY MINISTRY – Joan Carver, Coordinator
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION – Pastor Bates, Coordinator
CHURCH SCHOOL – Linda Curenton, Secretary
TEACHERS – Michael Artis & Deborah Thomas
FIRST BETHEL GOSPEL CHOIR – Billie Champ-Lopes, Minister of Music
GREETERS of VISTORS – Synthia Howell, Coordinator
USHER BOARDS – Rebecca Outlaw and Linda Curenton, Coordinators
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENT – Terry Joyner, Coordinator
HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE – Alphonise Artis, Coordinator
REVIVAL COMMITTEE – Michael Artis, Chairman
SISTER’S KEEPERS – Gloria Anderson, Chairlady
TRAVEL & FELLOWSHIP – Antoinette Vallier, Coordinator
FBBC MEDIA & SOUND – Musicians, Coordinators
WEBSITE POWERHOUSE –Lawrence Weaver - Coordinator
Contact Us
Current mailing address:
First Bethel Baptist Church
9201 Edgeworth Drive #4734 Capitol Heights, MD 207
Current Worship Adress:
Bells United Methodist Church
6016 Allentown Road, Camp Springs, MD 20746
OFFICE: (301) 499 - 7115