The Bethel Story
The Bethel Ministerial
Association, Inc. is a
fellowship of ministers
allied for the purpose of
proclaiming the Gospel
of the Lord Jesus Christ.
It was originally founded
by Albert Franklin
Varnell as the
Evangelistic Ministerial
Alliance in May of 1934.
Brother Varnell, who was
affectionately referred to
as “Doc” by his minister
friends, was born in
Arkansas and raised in
California. At the age of
nineteen, he was called to
preach and began his
ministry as a tent
evangelist and Bible
teacher. Through the
years, he grew in his
study of scripture and
became a man of great
conviction. He submitted
himself to the Word of
God and valued its truth
over any tradition or
preference of man. In
1933, the organization,
which Rev. Varnell had
helped to establish, voted
to teach a new doctrine
which stated that
speaking in tongues was
the first evidence of the
reception of the Holy
Spirit; and the
organization required all
of its members to accept
this teaching and preach
it or they would not be
permitted to remain in
good standing. Rev.
Varnell felt it to be
unscriptural and held to
the teaching of 1 John
3:14. He returned to a
church he had recently
started in Evansville,
Indiana and continued
doing what he knew to
do, which was to simply
teach the Bible and
minister to the needs of
the people. God
continued to bless his
work and used him to
inspire many young men
toward the ministry. He
helped them receive a
solid foundation, and
with his contagious zeal
for the Word of God, he
became like a spiritual
father to many of the
young ministers.
During the course of his
life, Doc. Varnell
pioneered thirteen
churches, all of which are
functioning today.
Because of his writings,
the Bethel Publishing
House was founded. His
influence continued to
grow. In 1951, the
E.M.A became the Bethel
Assembly and in March
of 1960 the group became
incorporated as the
Bethel Baptist Assembly,
Incorporated. Yet,
through all these changes,
the assembly maintained
its distinctive features
and continued to be an
organization of ministers
with autonomous
congregations affiliated
with it. Finally, in April
of 1969, the name was
changed to the Bethel
Ministerial Association,
Incorporated, as it is
known today.
In 1971, Doc Varnell was
presented with a plaque
from the ministers of the
BMA which read, “...in
appreciation of his
enlightened Bible
teaching, faithful
leadership, spiritual
inspiration and fifty-five
years in the Lord’s
service.” Those words
best expressed their deep
respect and gratitude
toward this man.
Although Doc. Varnell is
no longer with us, the
conviction with which he
lived remains in the
hearts of the Bethel
Brethren and many others
who were touched by his
life. He was a man who
would stand for what he
believed in, even if he
had to stand alone. This
fellowship maintains his
philosophy:
In things essential..........Unity
In things non-essential.........Liberty
In all things..........Charity
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