FEATURED MINISTRY: Pastor Walter August, Jr. Answers the Call from Aubrey to Pray for Our Nation, Families and Businesses
A PRAYER FOR AMERICA FROM HOUSTON, TEXAS: Pastor Walter August, Jr. is Senior Pastor of Bethel’s Family Baptist Church, and current Bethel’s Place Black Chamber of Commerce Chair. The Bethel’s Place Chamber is formed out of the Church businesses and members, and duly noted as the first Black Church Chamber of Commerce in the Nation.
Pastor August was born in Lafayette, Louisiana, 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 3,500 families, through 50 different ministries, with an annual church budget of over 3.5 Million Dollars. In 1997, he accepted a call to Sugar Creek Baptist Church to serve as their Pastor of Missions. In his 7 ½ years of service, he lead Sugar Creek through the help of God to start 58 churches and partnered with 50 more in the greater metropolitan area of Houston.
Pastor August has traveled to Kenya, Africa and 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. He is a board member of the Baptist Church Loan Corporation. In 2002, he co-founded the “College Institute for Church Planters” in Baton Rouge, La.
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 8,000 people in the community per month.
In 2004, Pastor August came to Bethel’s Family full-time and the ministry flourished under his leadership and faithfulness to God Almighty. 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 500 people a week. In 2009, he launched the Young Men Development Initiative, Inc; a separate 501(c)(3) organization that mentors and develops young boys ages 4-18.
In August 2010, he opened the doors to Bethel’s Christian Academy offering a viable faith-based learning environment to young families in the community for teaching and developing their children. In September 2010, he formed Bethel’s Global Reach, Inc. a 501(c)(3) organization focused on leading missions in the United States and across the world.
Pastor August is married to the former Ms Ruby J. Jones and they have three sons: (Walter III, who served in the Navy, is married with three kids and is currently the executive director for the Young Men Development Initiative, Inc.; Patrick, who is a recent graduate of Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas; and, Alex, who is a 12th grader at Elkins High School).
For more information on The Church at Bethel's Family or The Bethel's Family Black Chamber of Commerce Inc., call (713)729-0125 or go by 14442 Fonmeadow Drive in Houston, Texas 77035.
