ABOUT
BETHEL AME CHURCH,
MADISON, IL
Bethel AME Church stands as a beacon of faith in Madison, IL. We are a place of prayer, peace and joy to all who join us. Our community is richly diverse, with people of different ages and backgrounds coming together to worship and serve together. We welcome all individuals seeking God’s love and our doors are open to every soul seeking to welcome Jesus into their heart.
WELCOME
We will bless the Lord at all times, His praises shall continually be in our mouth.
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Greetings in the Mighty and Awesome Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Truly, our God is a great God who continues to show Himself faithful.
Welcome to Bethel AME Church…….  
It is our privilege and pleasure on behalf of our pastor Rev. Pierce L. Harper Sr. and First Lady, Ashlon L. Harper to welcome you and to thank God for the opportunity to come into your homes.
We want to take this opportunity to glorify the name of Jesus for the grace that has enabled us to meet here.
Those of you worshipping with us for the first time or second time, know that you are welcomed and that we love guests. We are so grateful that God has placed it on your hearts to visit with us today. 
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It is our prayer that the grace of the Lord will be you always and His mercies will accompany you wherever you are.
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We pray that in the midst of your day today, there will be a nugget of something that you can grab hold on, something that will help you to go even higher in your praise and worship and that the Holy Spirit will guide us and to teach us what is the will of God for our lives.
Again, welcome and we thank God for you.
ABOUT OUR PASTOR
Rev. Pierce L. Harper Sr. is the youngest of four brothers born to Peter L. Harper Sr. and Vivian M. Harper.
Pierce has a passion for the Lord Jesus, his Savior; a passion for God's people and humanity at large, a passion for his family; and a passion for sharing the message of his calling as a Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Pierce journeys with people, organizations and faith communities in linking intellect, passion and practice. He has extensive training and experience with organizations and systems to increase capacity, transform culture, and create resilient and sustainable opportunities.
After much prayer, meditation, and guidance of the Holy Spirit, Pierce accepted his calling to the Ministry 01/2013. He shared his first message on 06/29/2013, entitled, “It ALL starts with God” with the focal verse of Colossians 1:16. After a 2½ examination, the AME board of examiner’s ordained Pierce a deacon on October 08, 2016. This man of God married Ashlon Powell on November 3, 2012, and added a new addition to the family on September 3, 2014; Pierce Harper Jr.
Pierce is “working in the vineyard while it is day, knowing that night is coming when no man can work” as a servant and previous member of Carey Tercentenary AME Church, where his Great Grandmother, Grandfather, mother and family, has worshipped and worked for generations. Among his current and past positions are: Director of Christian Education, Sunday School Teacher, Youth Minister, Steward on the board of Carey Tercentenary AME Church, Outreach Minister at Pacific Garden Missions, and is was the Assistant Pastor at Carey Tercentenary AME Church. Pierce has served the Chicago Conference and the North District for many years on the Resolutions and Christian Education Committees.
He is currently serving as the Pastor, Bethel Madison AME Madison (2022- Current). He has also served as:
Pastor, Miller Chapel/Christ Centered Ministries/Payne Chapel AME Chicago (2021-2022)
Administrator, Fourth Episcopal District (2018-2021)
Assistant to Pastor, Carey Tercentenary AME Chicago (2016-2021)
Pierce is a Graduate of Governors State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice; a Graduate of Triton College with an Associate’s degree in Liberal Arts; a Graduate of Proviso East High School; and is continuing his education by attending Garret Evangelical Theological Seminary to pursue a Masters of Divinity. Pierce has further served humanity in his professional life in the Healthcare profession.
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As Pierce often shares, “Psalms 55:22 is written on my heart as my Scripture to live by, “Cast thy burdens upon the LORD, and HE shall sustain thee: HE shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”
