Background
Bethea, Joseph Benjamin was born on September 9, 1932 in Dillion, South Carolina. Son of Rufus E. and Ella (Johnson) Bethea.
Bethea, Joseph Benjamin was born on September 9, 1932 in Dillion, South Carolina. Son of Rufus E. and Ella (Johnson) Bethea.
Bachelor, Claflin College, Orangeburg, South Carolina, 1953. DH (honorary), Claflin College, Orangeburg, South Carolina, 1988. Master of Divinity, Gammon Theological Seminary, Atlanta, 1956.
Doctor of Divinity (honorary), Gammon Theological Seminary, Atlanta, 1974. Doctor of Divinity (honorary), North Carolina Wesleyan College, Rocky Mount, 1988. DH (honorary), Columbia College, South Carolina, 1989.
Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), Claflin College, 1988.
Pastor, St. Paul Methodist Church, Reidsville, North Carolina, 1961-1965;
district superintendent, Virginia Conference, Richmond, 1965-1968;
pastor, St. Matthews United Methodist Church, Greensboro, North Carolina, 1968-1972;
director Black Studies, Duke Divinity School, Durham, North Carolina, 1972-1977;
district superintendent, North Carolina Conference United Methodist Church, Rockingham, 1977-1983;
administrative assistant to bishop, North Carolina Conference United Methodist Church, Raleigh, 1983-1986;
district superintendent, North Carolina Conference United Methodist Church, Raleigh, 1986-1988;
resident bishop, United Methodist Church, Columbia, South Carolina., since 1988. Lecturer Duke Division School, Durham, North Carolina, 1980-1981. Member committee relational concerns Council Bishops, 1988.
Member Executive Committee World Methodist Council, 1981-1988.
Vice chairman General Commission Religion & Race, 1988, president since 1992. Member National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Black Methodists for Church Renewal, Rotary International, Alpha Phi Alpha.
Son of Rufus E. and Ella (Johnson) B. M. Shirley Cundiff, June 7, 1958 (deceased 1992). 1 daughter, Josefa Elizabeth.