Pastor Bethea grew up in Dillon, SC and attended Clemson University receiving his B. S. in Horticulture in 1981. Shortly after graduation he enrolled in Bob Jones University and earned a Master of Divinity degree in 1987. There, he met and married Kathryn (Poore) Bethea (B. S. Piano Pedagogy BJU). They began their ministry together (Youth Pastor) at Northside Baptist Church in N. Charleston, SC. After 9 years they went to Calvary Baptist in Simpsonville, SC where Pastor Bethea was Assistant Pastor until 1998. In August of 1998 they came to Westgate Baptist Church in Spartanburg, SC. Pastor Bethea serves on several boards (Ambassador Baptist College, South Carolina Association of Christian School, Preach the Word Ministries and Cross Impact) and recently received a Doctor of Divinity degree from Ambassador Baptist College.