Bethel Community Baptist Church was founded on October 15th 1950, by Pastor Claude McCorkle, an old rail road man. The church began its ministry as a mission of the First Baptist Church in Tucson. It was later dedicated as a Conservative Baptist Church by Pastor C. W. McCorkle, the first pastor. He also served as a railroad conductor and ministered at the Southern Pacific Hospital.

Throughout the years we have ministered to families and individuals through prayers, Sunday School, sports, activities for all ages and avenues for people to minister and serve the Lord.

Over the last 50 years we have had eight different pastors, each bringing special and unique abilities to the church and it's ministry.

Our Pastors

Pastor Claude & Annie McCorkle 1948-65

Pastor McCorkle founded and was the first pastor of Bethel Baptist Church. He and his wife Annie also founded Tanque Verde Baptist and Palo Verde Baptist churches.


More information on Pastor McCorkle

Pastor Robert E. Hilderman 1965-68

Robert Hilderman Gallup Independent Wednesday November 15, 2006
TSE BONITO — Services for Pastor Robert E. Hilderman, 78, will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 18 at the Community Bible Church in  Tse Bonito. Rev. David Hilderman will officiate.  Hilderman was born Feb. 16, 1928 in Woodward, Kan. He went to Lyons High School in Lyons, Kan., and graduated with a master's degree from NAU in Flagstaff and received an honorary doctorate from a Dallas theological seminary in 2000. He worked for Safeway Stores for 12 years and was pastor of seven churches in Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arizona and New Mexico. He also worked at Radio KHAC.
Survivors include his wife Mary JoAnn Hilderman; sons, Timothy Lewis Hilderman of Fort Worth, Texas, Rev. David Gene Hilderman of Tse Bonito; daughter Robann Sue Brower of Elko, Nev.; brothers Roy George Hilderman of Colombus, Ohio, Gene Claire Hilderman of Las Vegas, Nev.; eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his son Robert Mark; parents, George and Jennie Hilderman and one sister Katheryn Hilderman.
Pallbearers will be Joel Harper, Kyle Rodriguez, Grant Reece, Matthew Hilderman, Val Christianson and Steve Brower.
The family will receive relatives and friends at the Community Bible Church after services.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Community Bible Church building fund.

Pastor Robert Dalrymple 1966-67

Bob Dalrymple was pastor at Bethel from 1966 to 1967. His service for is being held at Shiloh Community Church (19021 N. 32nd St., Phoenix, AZ  85050) at 10:00 a.m. Saturday August 22nd.  in liew of flowers Bob has requested donations be maed to his son Terr'y orginization...  Alliance for Transformational Ministry (ATM).  The address is ATM/PO Box 74245/Phoenix, AZ 85087.

Pastor James Nelson 1978-87

Pastor Clint Ayers 1987-89

Pastor Kent Krakowian 1990-92

Pastor Kerkowian was responsible for our redecorating our auditorium including air conditioning, carpeting and padded bench seats to replace the old theater style folding seats. Pastor Kerkowian has gone on to work with the Timothy foundation. It is a ministry that helps struggling churches to get back on their feet and fruitful again.

Pastor John Hunt 1993-98

Pastor Hunt was the youngest pastor to serve at Bethel. Known for being a good Gospel preacher he remained faithful in his presentations.

Pastor Gary Smith 1999 -

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