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
Sermon 7/5/26:
"Pastor Lehman d. Bates
First Bethel Baptist Church Announcements – Sunday, July 12, 2026
The following are our church announcements for the week:
Our Sunday School Class occurs each Sunday at 9:00 a.m., and our Noon Day Bible Study Class occurs each Tuesday. All are invited to attend both classes and bring a friend.
Today, Rev. Gregory D. Jackson, Jr., is being installed as the new Pastor of First Baptist Church of Marshall Heights in Washington, DC. All are invited to attend his “Custodial Installation Service” at 3:00 p.m.
On Saturday, July 18th, beginning at 11:00 a.m., the “Ordination Service” of our own Minister Gregory Gavin will occur at First Baptist Church of Fairmont Heights. The church is located at 806 58th Avenue in Fairmont Heights, MD. All are invited to attend in support of Minister Gavin as he becomes an ordained Minister.
On Sunday, July 26th, we will accompany Pastor Bates to First Baptist Church of Fairmont Heights as he delivers the Gospel Message for the “Pastoral Anniversary Celebration of Dr. Bernard Winchester.” Dinner will be served beginning at 12:45 p.m., followed by service at 2:00 p.m. Let’s all come out in support of our Pastor, the Winchester family, and their congregation.
If you are traveling with us to Cape Cod and Martha’s Vinyard, July 21st is the due date for all final payments towards this trip. Therefore, please see Deaconess Antoinette Vallier to pay your balance in full no later than next Sunday. If you have any questions, please see Deaconess Vallier after service today.
Mark your calendars First Bethel à Plans are underway for our “Annual Homecoming Weekend.” Our “Homecoming Cookout” will be hosted at Watkins Park on Saturday, August 22nd, followed by our “Homecoming & Family Emphasis Worship Service” on Sunday, August 23rd. More information will be shared in the coming weeks, so stay tuned and start thinking about how you would like to participate (such as food donations, paper supplies, site setup or clean up, beverages, ice bags, coolers, desserts, games, or monetary donations).
We extend “Happy Birthday Wishes” to everyone born in the month of July. This week, we give a hearty “Shout Out of Congratulations” to Charles and Debbie Thomas, as they celebrate their “41st Wedding Anniversary” on tomorrow. Way to go you two – you are a true example of the song “love, love will keep us together!”
Deacon Herbert Antwon Corbin is in ICU at the Adventist Healthcare Shady Grove Medical Center. As we keep our dear brother and his family lifted in prayer, let’s collectively continue to pray for our Pastor and his family, Brother Leviticus Arnett, First Lady Ruby James, Pastor Grady Jones, the Askew family, and Sister Helene Richardson. Thank you for sending cards or text messages of encouragement to all our church family and friends who are sick and shut-in, bereaved, or experiencing ongoing health challenges, and don’t forget about our beloved caregivers.
Thought for the Week
“You have to trust and believe in God enough to let Him show you
what He has in store for you. Then once you “go through”
and pass the test, you will have a testimony to share.”
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3pm Appreciation Service
Speakers:
-
Damien Briggs
-
Bernard Winchester
-
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
Heading 6
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 5/3/26
2 Chronicles 7: 12-15 (KJV)
12 And the Lord appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice.
13 If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people;
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
15 Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.
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