About Our Ministry

The Spirit of Truth Christian Fellowship Ministry was originally founded as Bethel Pentecostal Church. Bethel Pentecostal was established in 1967 by the late H. E. and Lola Esther Dickinson, has been a beacon of faith and community for decades. The legacy of its founding pastor and his wife, rooted in a passion for evangelism, biblical teaching, and spiritual growth, has stood as a testament to the power of unwavering faith.

For over a decade, Pastor Dickinson’s leadership laid the spiritual and organizational groundwork that would enable the church to thrive in the years to come. In 1977, as he retired, the mantle of leadership passed to his son-in-law, Pastor Jackie W. Billingsley, who carried forward that vision with steadfast dedication. For over 40 years, Pastor Billingsley shepherded the church with humility, grace, and wisdom, leaving an indelible mark on the ministry and the lives of those it touched. His retirement in March 2020 marked the end of an era, but also ushered in the dawn of a bold new chapter.

During Pastor Billingsley’s tenure, Bethel Pentecostal became renowned for its powerful, anointed praise and worship services—experiences deeply enriched by the musical gifts of the Billingsley, McKelvin, and Dickinson families. Their voices, along with the congregation’s, came together as one, harmonizing in a message of praise that transcended the limits of human effort. Together, they played pivotal roles in shaping the church’s vibrant musical heritage, creating an atmosphere that was not only spiritually uplifting but transformative.

The music ministry at Bethel was far more than just a collection of melodies and harmonies — it was a sacred expression of shared devotion, rooted in a deep and abiding love for Jesus Christ. That love permeated every note, every chord, every lyric, creating a worship experience that was not only beautiful but incredibly anointed. That love transformed simple words and notes on the pages of hymnals into something eternal and so powerful it echoes in the hearts of countless family, friends, and community members to this day.

The impact of their ministry was undeniable. Congregants and visitors alike were often moved to tears, overwhelmed by a sense of God’s presence in the music. Those who entered feeling burdened or broken found healing and hope, their spirits lifted by the collective worship of a family of believers bound together in Christ’s love. What a powerful testimony it was to the power of what can happen when God’s people come together with one heart, one voice, and one purpose: to glorify and serve Him!

In addition to the music, Pastor Billingsley’s rousing preaching played a vital role in the church’s spiritual life. His sermons, infused with the rich spiritual heritage passed down through the generations, inspired countless individuals to deepen their faith and commitment to serving the Lord. With a deep understanding of Scripture and an exceptional ability to connect with his audience, he challenged members and visitors alike to find salvation in Jesus Christ, to embrace their faith actively by living it every day and to share it with others.

Integral to the leadership and spiritual life at Bethel were the dedicated pastor’s wives, Esther Dickinson and Loretta Dickinson Billingsley. Esther, affectionately known as “Granny” by many, was a force to be reckoned with. Bold and driven, she found resources and practical solutions that were essential to the establishment and operation of the church in its early years. Her heart to help others and introduce them to Jesus helped shape the church’s ministry foundation, although her out-spoken approach, while well-intentioned, could stir controversy from time to time. Nevertheless, her commitment to the ministry and the people of Bethel was unwavering, and her influence was deeply felt.

In contrast, Loretta, while a more reserved and behind-the-scenes pastor’s wife, played a pivotal role as the church’s organist. She served faithfully alongside her husband, Pastor Billingsley, using her talents to encourage and lift others in worship. Loretta’s servant heart extended beyond music: she was a constant helper in whatever capacity was needed, whether it was cooking meals, cleaning, or offering a listening ear. Although Esther and Loretta had very different personalities, gifts, and approaches to their roles, they shared a common goal: to serve the Lord and others by helping their husbands further the ministry of Bethel Pentecostal.

In 2020, upon Pastor Billingsley’s retirement, his daughter, Cindy Billingsley-Cook, stepped into the pastoral role. No one could have predicted what a critical juncture the church had come to at that point. While the world was grappling with unprecedented changes and challenges, Bethel found itself facing a seminal moment in its history: a clear and compelling need to re-examine itself based on rapidly changing circumstances in and outside the church, the urgent need to find a new place to meet in light of safety and liability concerns that were prohibitively expensive to address, and Pastor Cindy’s powerful new outreach and helps-focused vision.

Imbued with a crystal-clear vision, and guided by the Holy Spirit, Pastor Cindy demonstrated extraordinary tenacity and creativity, often swimming against the current of time-honored tradition and habit-bound comfort, as she guided the congregation through a period of significant change. Based on the leading of the Lord, she reimagined the ministry’s nature and scope, breaking free from traditional denominational boundaries to foster a more inclusive, accepting, Christ-centered, outreach-focused community of believers (hence the renaming of the church from Bethel Pentecostal to Spirit of Truth Christian Fellowship). Her leadership reflected a deep commitment to winning the lost to Jesus Christ, sound biblical teaching, and meeting the spiritual and basic material needs of people within and well beyond the church’s walls

One of the most defining moments of Pastor Cindy’s tenure was the Spirit-led decision to transfer the aging church building to Madison Temple Church for a symbolic price of $10. This act of faith was not merely a practical decision—it was a bold declaration of trust in God’s providence. Following much prayer and discernment, the church leadership believed this step would pave the way for the ministry’s renewal. By relinquishing the physical space that had defined the church for decades, Pastor Cindy and her team unlocked the freedom to focus their time and resources solely on evangelical and helps ministry.

In February 2023, Pastor Cindy, having faithfully fulfilled her God-ordained calling, stepped down from her pastoral role. Her husband, Pastor James Henri Cook, was unanimously chosen to lead the church into its next chapter. Continuing on the ministry trajectory established by his wife, Pastor James’ vision was to harness the church’s resources—its “talent, treasure, and time”—to create a meaningful impact not only in the local community but also across the United States and around the world, including Africa, India, and the Caribbean.

Under Pastor James’ leadership, Spirit of Truth Christian Fellowship has undergone a remarkable transformation. Moving beyond the traditional “brick-and-mortar” church model, the ministry has embraced an innovative, collaborative approach to outreach. The focus remains resolutely on sharing the Gospel and winning souls for Christ, but now amplified through modern technology that extends the reach of the church’s voice and talents to a global audience. This vision has led to strategic partnerships with diverse ministries, each sharing a common passion for evangelism and service, allowing for the pooling of resources and talents to achieve goals that would be impossible to reach individually.

Spirit of Truth Christian Fellowship exemplifies a forward-thinking approach to ministry. Through the integration of hybrid outreach models—including online platforms, social media, and creative “insurgency” evangelism—the fellowship utilizes both technology and innovative outreach methods to engage audiences both at home and globally. Strategic partnerships with ministries in the United States, as well as in Africa, India, and the Caribbean, reflect the fellowship’s commitment to transcending denominational, racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic barriers. This initiative is not only about sharing the Gospel but also about creating tangible, life-changing impacts through charitable acts and fostering unity in Christ.

The ministry is supported by a team of talented content creators and ministers who embody creativity, innovation, and a relentless commitment to spreading the light, love, and truth of Jesus Christ. From crafting engaging, Holy Spirit-led content to pioneering new forms of both digital and non-digital outreach, this team is at the forefront of modern evangelism. Their ability to share compelling stories, authentic testimonies, and practical spiritual guidance resonates deeply with both believers and seekers, reaching hearts across the globe.

Today, Spirit of Truth Christian Fellowship stands as a living testimony to the enduring legacies of Pastors Dickinson and Billingsley, as well as the bold, unfolding vision of evangelists James and Cindy Billingsley Cook and Ben and Danabeth Cowles. May God be glorified in all that it does!