Executive Team

Pastor Walter August, Jr. was born in Lafayette, Louisiana on January 28, 1959 and grew up in Abbeville, La.   Upon completing high school in 1977, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corp where he faithfully served through 1983. In 1984, he joined First City Bank Corporate Security Group and attended the Professional Management Training School reaching the position of Security Specialist in 1991.

 

In 1992, Pastor August professed his calling into the gospel ministry under the leadership of Dr. E.L. Lott, Senior Pastor of True Light Missionary Baptist Church in Houston.  He was employed by LaSalle Partners Asset Management Company and served as their Director of Security through 1996.

 

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 3,000 families, through 50 different ministries. He also served 7 ½ at Sugar Creek Baptist Church as their Missions Pastor. He has place Bethel’s Family on the frontline of every major disaster in and around these United States, impacting over a million people!

 

Through Pastor August leadership over 9000 people has traveled to Belize, India, Angola, Africa, Kenya, Africa, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Haiti, Hawaii, 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.

 

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 17,000 people in the community per month.

 

In 2004, Pastor August came to Bethel’s Family full-time and the ministry flourished under his leadership. 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 4000 people a week. In August 2010, he opened the doors to Bethel’s Family Christian Academy offering a viable faith-based learning environment to young families in the community for teaching and developing their children.

 

Pastor August started “The Nehemiah Projects of Acadiana” a non-profit organization in Abbeville, La. that is transforming the lives of families throughout the Acadiana area.

 

Pastor August is married to Ruby Jewel for almost 36 years! They have three sons: (Walter III, wife-Tanecia   Patrick, Alex, wife-Marcie and they have eleven grandchildren.

Born with a heart to serve, Katherine Carey is the co-founder of Bethel’s Global Reach, Inc.  Pursuing a childhood desire to make a difference in the world, Katherine took her first mission trip to Kenya, Africa in 2010, not know that she would find her purpose on this trip.  She stated, “I love helping people and I have always had a desired to spread that love throughout the world in hope of changing lives while doing so.  And, with the power of God I am doing just that.”

 

Since 2010, Katherine has served on 28 mission trips to 7 countries.  She has also coordinated over 100 mission trips to more than 10 countries, impacting the lives of tens of thousands of people worldwide.  

 

Born in Houston, Texas, Katherine attended Houston Garden Elementary, Concord Elementary School and Francis Scott Key Middle School.  She graduated from Jack Yates Senior High School in the top 20% of her class.  Katherine receiving her Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences Degree from Midwestern State University, graduating Magna Cum Laude.  She went on to graduate with Honors from University of Houston Clearlake, where she received her Master of Arts Degree in Criminology.

 

Katherine grew up attending church at Lakewood Church, St. Emmanuel Baptist Church and was a member at Brentwood Baptist Church.  In 2007, she joined The Church at Bethel’s Family, where she answered her call to serve.   She is currently, the wife of an associate pastor.  Together they have 3 sons, 3 grandsons and 4 granddaughters.                               

 

While developing her heart with Bethel’s Global Reach, Inc., Katherine also served as an officer of the Houston Police Department for 25 years and retired in 2021, holds the rank of Police Lieutenant.  As an officer, she also gained valuable experience that would be beneficial leading an organization.  She supervised from 5 to 75 employees and assisted divisional leadership with the supervision of 150-200 employees.  As the budget officer and supervisor over the budget officer, she managed budgets for the entire divisions.  

 

Prior to becoming police officer, Katherine worked in various accounting and clerical positions, giving her over 27 years of administrative experience and 13 years of supervisory experience.  Her leadership, accounting and administrative skill have been integral to the development and growth of Bethel’s Global Reach, Inc.

 

She currently serves on the board of directors for Bethel IM and the Houston Police Burial Fund, and she mentors women survivors of domestic violence. 

I was born in Detroit, Michigan.  I was raised by my grandmother in San Augustine, Texas where I attended public school.  I graduated in May 1976 from San Augustine High School, in San Augustine, Texas.  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 and joined Exxon Company U.S.A., known today as ExxonMobil 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 ministries at One Church at Bethel’s Family, including Bethel’s Family Christian Academy, Inc., Bethel’s Family Heavenly Hands, and Bethel’s Global Reach Inc.  I am currently serving as the Chief Financial Office and Administrator for three Non-Profit 501 (c) (3) Organizations, including four federal grants.

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 have completed thirteen (13) international mission trips and visited six (6) continents on the world globe.  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.