Our Ministry
What We Believe | Our History | Our Leadership | Our Past Leaders| Affiliations and Membership Organization
What We Believe
Concerning the Bible: The Bible is the inspired, infallible Word of God, written by holy men of old as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (II Peter 1:20-21)
We believe that there is only one God (Deuteronomy 6:4) who was revealed to us as Father in creation, as Son in redemption, and as the Holy Spirit in regeneration. Jesus was born both human and divine; He was God manifested in the flesh, (Matt. 1:23; I Tim. 3:16) and in Jesus dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. (Col. 1:19; 2:9 )
Salvation is obtained through the born again experience. This is accomplished by the repentance of sins, baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and being filled with the Holy Ghost evidenced by speaking in other tongues as the Spirit of God gives the utterance. (Acts 2:4, 38)
We believe that Jesus Christ is coming back to “rapture” unto Himself a holy people who have accepted redemption through His blood, by water baptism and the in filling of the Spirit and who are found faithful when he comes. (2 Thessalonians 4:16-17)
Our History
Bethel Apostolic Church of Christ, located in the historic Village of Urbancrest, Ohio, traces its spiritual roots back to 1914, when prayer meetings were first held in the home of Sister Daisy Patterson. These early gatherings laid the foundation for what would become a lasting Apostolic legacy. The church was formally established as Bethel Apostolic Church of Christ in 1923, making it a cornerstone of Apostolic faith in Central Ohio for over 110 years.
In the early 1930s, the church experienced revival as approximately 30 souls were baptized, prompting a move to a building near First Avenue. During this time, Elder Ben J. Goode was appointed pastor, assisted by Elder Adolphus Smith and other leaders from Columbus. The congregation grew through the faithful service of early deacons and members, including the Turner, Manns, Quinichett, Price, Goode, and Young families.
The church worshiped in various locations throughout Urbancrest—including Fourth Avenue and Central Avenue—before constructing its first dedicated building at 3500 First Avenue in 1936. That same year, Elder Clifton J. Fulton became pastor and reaffirmed the church’s name as Bethel Apostolic Church of Christ. Under his leadership, the church strengthened its commitment to the Apostolic Pentecostal doctrine and joined the Ohio District Council of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World (PAW).
Leadership transitioned through several anointed pastors, including Elder Moses Bradley, Elder Chester Williams, and Elder Roscoe Stevens. In 1941, Elder Richard E. Aden assumed pastoral leadership and led the church through a new chapter of growth. Under his guidance, Bethel moved to its current location at 2809 Maple Street, Urbancrest, OH, in October 1966. Elder Aden remained pastor until his passing in 1975.
Elder Robert L. Mitchell was elected and installed as pastor in 1976. During his tenure, the church expanded its campus and strengthened its outreach to the Urbancrest community. After decades of faithful service, Elder Mitchell transitioned to Pastor Emeritus and was succeeded by Elder Richard A. Lyles, who was officially installed as pastor on June 3, 2001.
Today, under Pastor Lyles’ leadership, Bethel Apostolic Church of Christ continues to proclaim the message of baptism in Jesus’ name, the infilling of the Holy Spirit, and living according to the teachings of Acts 2:38. Our church stands as a historic and spiritual landmark in Ohio—dedicated to preaching truth, fostering community, and glorifying God.
Our Pastor | District Elder Richard A. Lyles
District Elder Richard A. Lyles, born on June 9, 1956, is a lifelong servant and spiritual leader whose roots run deep in Urbancrest, Ohio. The firstborn of Richard and Betty Lyles, Pastor Lyles embraced responsibility at an early age—working to help support his family and demonstrating compassion, integrity, and unwavering dedication to both family and faith.
In July 1971, he was baptized in Jesus’ name and filled with the Holy Ghost, affirming his commitment to the Apostolic doctrine and the teachings of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. (PAW). A 1974 graduate of Central High School, he later married his childhood sweetheart, Emily Yvonne Mitchell, daughter of the late Pastor Robert L. Mitchell and Lady Betty Mitchell.
Together, they have two daughters, Rachel and Leah, both saved and active in the faith.
Pastor Lyles received the call to ministry early in life and pursued biblical studies at Bible-Way Institute, Karl F. Smith Bible Institute, and Aenon Bible College. He became a licensed minister of the PAW and the State of Ohio in 1992. After faithfully serving as Assistant Pastor under the late Pastor Robert L. Mitchell, he was officially installed as Pastor of Bethel Apostolic Church of Christ on June 3, 2001.
In addition to his pastoral duties, Pastor Lyles served as Secretary of the Ohio District Council Brotherhood Auxiliary, further demonstrating his leadership within the Pentecostal fellowship.
With a clear vision for growth and outreach, Pastor Lyles is committed to expanding Bethel’s community impact—including establishing a daycare ministry and enhancing outreach services to meet both spiritual and practical needs. He encourages the church to walk in their God-given gifts and reminds the congregation of God's limitless power, quoting Ephesians 3:20:
“Now unto him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.”
First Lady | Evangelist Emily Y. Lyles
Evangelist Emily Y. Lyles was born on August 18, 1956 to the late Pastor Emeritus Robert and Lady Betty Mitchell. She and her four siblings were reared in a godly home, instructed in the way of holiness, and were faithful members of Bethel Apostolic Church of Christ in Urbancrest, Ohio, under the pastorate of the late Elder Richard Aden and subsequently by her father, Elder Mitchell. In 1971
at the age of 14, Evang. Lyles was baptized in Jesus’ name and filled with the Holy Ghost at The Hallowed Hills Campground in Zanesville, Ohio. She immediately became involved in various music and teaching ministries at her local assembly.
After graduating from Grove City High School in 1974, Evang. Lyles successfully completed ministerial training through Aenon Bible Institute, Indianapolis, IN, and received her license with the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. in 2001.
In 1977, Evang. Lyles married District Elder Richard A. Lyles who now pastors Bethel succeeding her father. They are the parents of two daughters, grandparents of three handsome grandsons, and spiritual leaders to other sons and daughters. Evang. Lyles is gifted and anointed in the ministries of teaching, exhortation, music, and business administration. She faithfully supports her husband in
ministry serving in many capacities including Executive Administrator. Following the Covid epidemic she resumed the Women’s Ministry auxiliary as directed by the Lord, and currently serves as the auxiliary president. On a professional level, Evang. Lyles utilized her administrative gift for over 30 years supporting business directors and executives as administrative/ executive assistant. She retired on
December 31, 2022 after 20 years of service at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry.
Evang. Lyles continues to minister the Word of God. Her goal is to fulfill the divine call of God on her life by encouraging, exhorting and promoting spiritual development for the people of God.
Our Past Leaders
Elder Robert L. Mitchell was elected as the successor to Elder Richard E. Aden in July 1975 and was officially installed as Pastor of Bethel Apostolic Church of Christ in January 1976. His leadership marked a season of spiritual growth and physical expansion for the church in Urbancrest, Ohio.
Under Pastor Mitchell’s leadership, the church saw significant development—including the construction of a new front addition to the sanctuary and the acquisition of additional property to support future ministry efforts. His commitment to the Apostolic faith and the Pentecostal doctrine left a lasting impact on the congregation and the surrounding community.
After faithfully serving for over two decades, Elder Mitchell retired from full-time pastoral duties on December 2, 2000, due to health challenges. He continued to serve the church with wisdom and grace as Pastor Emeritus until his passing on July 12, 2003.
Elder Mitchell is remembered as a devoted shepherd, a passionate preacher of the Jesus Name baptism message, and a pillar in the Ohio District Council of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World (PAW).
Elder Robert L. Mitchell
(1975-2000)
Elder Richard E. Aden became the Pastor of Bethel Apostolic Church of Christ in October 1941, following the departure of Elder Clifton J. Fulton. Under Elder Aden’s visionary leadership, Bethel experienced a transformative chapter in its history. It was during this time that the church purchased the property at 2809 Maple Street in the Village of Urbancrest, Ohio, which remains its current home.
In addition to securing the main church building, surrounding land was acquired to support the ministry’s future growth and community outreach. Elder Aden’s tenure was marked by faithfulness to the Apostolic doctrine, strong leadership within the congregation, and a deep commitment to the spiritual and physical expansion of the church.
Elder Aden faithfully served as pastor for over three decades, remaining the undershepherd of Bethel until his passing on June 25, 1975. His legacy continues to shape the foundation of the church and its mission in Urbancrest and the greater Columbus, Ohio area.
Elder Richard E. Aden
(1941-1975)
Elder Clifton J. Fulton became the Pastor of the newly constructed church building located at 3500 First Avenue in Urbancrest, Ohio in 1936. Under his leadership, the church was officially named Bethel Apostolic Church of Christ, marking a significant milestone in the congregation’s history and establishing its identity within the Apostolic Pentecostal movement.
Elder Fulton faithfully served as Pastor of Bethel until 1941, when he was called to a new leadership role as Assistant Pastor to Bishop Karl F. Smith at the historic Church of Christ of the Apostolic Faith (CCAF) in Columbus, Ohio.
His ministry helped lay the spiritual and organizational foundation for Bethel’s future growth, and his influence remains part of the church’s rich Apostolic heritage in Urbancrest and the Ohio District Council of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World (PAW).
Elder Clifton J. Fulton
(1936-1941)
Elder Ben J. Goode – Early Pastoral Leadership During Bethel’s Transitional Years
In 1931, Elder Ben J. Goode was appointed Pastor of Bethel Apostolic Church of Christ, shortly after the congregation moved to a location on First Avenue in Urbancrest, Ohio. During his tenure, the church temporarily relocated to the historic Union Baptist Church building, marking a significant step in Bethel’s early development as an Apostolic Pentecostal ministry.
Following a brief stay, the church moved again to Fourth Avenue, where it remained for several years. Eventually, the congregation transitioned to a building on Central Avenue, at which point Elder Goode concluded his pastoral leadership.
During this dynamic period in Bethel’s history, several dedicated men stepped forward to serve in pastoral roles, including Elder Moses Bradley, Elder Chester Williams, and Elder Roscoe Stevens. Their commitment helped sustain the church’s spiritual foundation and growth in the Village of Urbancrest.
This era reflects the church’s resilience and dedication to the Apostolic doctrine, community prayer, and the unshakable faith of its early pioneers.
Bethel Apostolic Church of Christ, located in the historic Village of Urbancrest, Ohio, is a proud member of the Ohio District Council (ODC), a regional body of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. (PAW)—one of the oldest Apostolic Pentecostal organizations in the world.
Our church is firmly rooted in the Apostle's doctrine, committed to biblical teaching, and connected to a global fellowship of believers who uphold the name of Jesus through baptism, the infilling of the Holy Spirit, and holy living.
