Executive Team

In 1994, Pastor August organized and founded Bethel Family Baptist Church along with his wife, three sons, and six committed adults. Today Bethel’s Family serves over 3,300 families, through 50 different ministries. In 1997, he accepted a call to Sugar Creek Baptist Church to serve as their Pastor of Missions. In his 7 1/2 years of service, he lead Sugar Creek through the help of God to start 58 churches and partnered with 50 more in the greater metropolitan area of Houston.

Pastor August has traveled to Kenya, Africa and Czech Republic, doing evangelism training, medical clinics, and developing church leadership teams. He attended Southwestern Theological Seminary in Houston and received Honorary Doctorates of Divinity from Saint Thomas Christian College in Jacksonville, Florida and Encourager Bible College & Seminary in India. He is a board member of the Baptist Church Loan Corporation. In 2002, he co-founded the “College Institute for Church Planters” in Baton Rouge, La.

In 2003, Pastor August started Bethel’s Heavenly Hands Food Pantry and Clothing Center. Heavenly Hands is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that has grown tremendously over the years and now serves over 8,000 people in the community per month.

In 2004, Pastor August came to Bethel’s Family full-time and the ministry flourished under his leadership and faithfulness to God Almighty. In 2006, his care and concern for families in the surrounding communities compelled him to create Bethel’s Place. Bethel’s Place is a separate 501(c)3 Community Development and Empowerment Center that serves over 500 people a week. In 2009, he launched the Young Men Development Initiative, Inc; a separate 501(c)3 organization that mentors and develops young boys ages 4-15. In August 2010, he opened the doors to Bethel’s Christian Academy offering a viable faith-based learning environment to young families in the community for teaching and developing their children. Pastor August is married to his wife of 25 years Ruby and they have three sons and three grandchildren.

Pastor Craig S. Taylor, Sr.

Bio

Craig S. Taylor, Sr. was born in Houston, TX to Ms. Gerda Taylor and is the youngest of two children. He was educated in Houston area schools and graduated from Jesse H. Jones High School in 1982. Pastor Taylor attended Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL on a football and track scholarship. During his college years, he received numerous honors for his athletic performance. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Relations and Advertising, with a minor in Sociology.

After signing a contract to play professional football, Pastor Taylor remembered a vow he made to God and chose to walk away from that opportunity to accept his calling to preach the gospel of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Following years of dedicated service with the Mental Health and Mental Retardation Authority (MHMRA) of Harris County, Pastor Taylor founded The M.I.R.R.O.R. (Motivate-Inspire-Recognize-Rise-Opportunity-Reach) in September 2000. This organization caters to the needs of individuals with disabilities (mental, physical, and substance abuse), providing motivational and employment training, and matching them with employers who offer opportunities for a productive life.

In April 2006, after years of faithful service as Assistant to the Pastor, Rev. Craig S. Taylor, Sr. was elected to become the sixth pastor of True Light Missionary Baptist Church, which had a history spanning 86 years. He later earned another Bachelor of Science from the College of Biblical Studies in August 2008. Pastor Taylor has been recognized with numerous awards for his work in the community and within the school system.

Pastor Taylor is married to VeTonya Taylor and they are the proud parents of four beautiful children: Shanice, Courtney, Craig (CJ), and Sydney. In addition to their children, Pastor Taylor and his wife provide monthly financial support to a child named Remus in Kenya. Their children also provide financial support to their own sponsored child.

Pastor Taylor is deeply committed to serving the needs of people in his church, community, city, and state. He is known for his unselfish service, compassion, and availability to his congregants, their families, and others needing Christian service.

As he begins his role as the new President/CEO of Bethel’s Global Reach, Pastor Taylor brings his extensive experience in foreign missions, having been active in Africa, Haiti, Belize, the Czech Republic, and Hawaii. He serves as Chairman of the Foreign Missions with the South Texas District Association of Texas, Foreign Mission Chairman of Bethel’s Global Reach, and is a former Executive Officer with the African American Pastor Fellowship of Houston.

I was born in Detroit, Michigan, June 28, 1958. I was raised by my grandmother in San Augustine, Texas where I attended public school. I graduated May 1976 in the top five of my class while also working full time as a Night Auditor for Holiday Inn. In August, 1976 I began my college education at the University of Houston, in the College of Business Technology. In May 1979, I received a Bachelor of Science degree and graduated Magna Cum Laude Honoree student.

In May 1979 I joined Exxon Company U.S.A., known today as Exxon Mobil Corporation, as an Accountant in the Controller’s Department. I remained with Exxon Mobil for 38+ years and retired in March 2017 after having numerous assignments in Controller’s as an Accountant, Financial Manager, and Internal Auditor.

Since my retirement, I serve as an active participant and ambassador for Christ in several Bethel’s Family ministries including Bethel’s Family Christian Academy, Inc., Pathways to Success, and Bethel’s Global Reach Inc. I am currently serving as the Financial Administrator for Bethel’s Family Christian Academy, Inc. and have functioned in this capacity since March 2017. I also volunteer as one of the Accountants for Heavenly Hands. I have completed nine (9) international mission trips and four (4) Pathways to Success missions in two years.

I am married with four children. I am a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated and the National Women of Achievement Incorporated leadership organizations. I am a Christian woman who truly loves the Lord. I give Him all the praise and glory for where He has brought me from. Without the Lord on my side I don’t know where I would be today.