Bethel Christian Center

Our Staff

Senior Pastor	Pastor Kurt H. Kinney is a 1989 graduate of Zion Bible Institute. Pastor Kurt has served as a youth pastor, worship pastor, drama director and for two years as a director of an international drama ministry. In 1995 Pastor Kurt became the Senior Pastor of Bethel and has led the church through strategic changes. With a commitment to salvation and the power of God to restore broken lives, Pastor Kurt preaches and teaches the Word of God with an uncompromised passion. Pastor Kurt and his wife, Kathy, have been married for 18 years and have 2 children - Joshua (16) and Amanda (12). They currently reside in Blackwood. Pastor Kurt is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God.
Spanish Pastors	In addition to being the pastor of the Spanish Church, Pastor Joe is also an elder at Bethel and provides leadership to all of the church’s mission’s endeavors. Pastor Joe has devoted his life to preaching evangelistic crusades, planting churches and working with missions. He has planted churches in Puerto Rico, Brooklyn, NY. Philadelphia, PA. and Blackwood, NJ. Pastor Joe Velez is a graduate of Mizpah Bible Institute, has a degree in business administration from Jefferson University and has earned a PH.D from the University of Penn in biology/cell biology. The Velez’s have been married for 49 years, have 3 children, 13 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Pastor Joe and Zulma are both credentialed ministers with the Assemblies of God.
Youth Pastor	Pastor Joe Parker has been at Bethel for the past seven years and serves as youth pastor. He did his formal training and earned a degree in church ministries from Southeastern University in Lakeland, FL. Pastor Joe holds a weekly youth service where he encourages the young people at Bethel to passionately and wholeheartedly pursue the presence of God in their lives. In addition, he provides leadership to the children’s ministries, dramatic arts, video & multimedia efforts of the church. Pastor Joe and Robin have been married for six years. They have a beautiful two-year old daughter, Riley, and have another on the way! Favorite Quote: “Are the things you are living for worth Christ dying for?” (Ravenhill). Pastor Joe is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God. Email Pastor Joe.
Director of Music Ministry	Marco Gomez grew up in a pastor’s home and was called into music ministry at an early age. He graduated from Felix T. Garzón Conservatory of Music in Córdoba, Argentina. In 1999 he moved to the United Sates, where he attended and graduated from Rowan University with a degree in piano performance. Marco and his beautiful wife, Marissa, were married in 2004 and have a daughter Maris Stella. In 2005, Marco became the worship leader for the Primera Iglesia Pentecostal de Blackwood NJ. In addition, Marco accepted the position of Director of Music Ministries at Bethel. His responsibilities include the oversight and management of the following music ministries: praise and worship teams, special music, choir, and sound; as well as all aspects of the multi-media ministry.