Bethany Baptist Church

Senior Pastor

Curtis D. Morris

Senior Pastor

Curtis D. Morris

Senior Pastor

Curtis D. Morris

Pastor Curtis D. Morris has served Bethany Baptist Church in Chester, Pennsylvania as its Senior Pastor and Teacher since February 11, 2004. Under his leadership, Bethany Baptist Church thrives and strives to meet the spiritual needs of its congregation and community through ministries designed to “reach, teach and worship.”
Pastor Morris places a strong emphasis on spiritual growth and leadership development among the ministerial staff and congregation. In an effort to address the spiritual needs of a diverse and growing congregation, new ministries were formed under his leadership such as the Marriage Matters, Special Events, Sunrise and Wellness ministries. The Men’s and Women’s Discipleship classes were formed to provide an opportunity for group fellowships and to address the educational and spiritual needs of the church. The Youth Church was expanded to include youth choirs, dance and mime ministries with the addition of the Kingdom Kids, Praise in Motion and Silent Praise. Semi-annual leadership development workshops are provided for the church leadership.
Under the leadership of Senior Pastor Morris, Bethany Baptist Church continues its outreach to the local community. It is in the spirit of evangelism that the “We Are Family” festivals and “Back to School” events are hosted to engage the community in a fun, fellowship, and worship.

Pastor Morris actively ministers to students attending Widener University and serves as an associate chaplain at the WU Interfaith Center. His love of God and His people shows through his undying passion to the ministry of mentoring and sharing what a difference it is to have God in your life.

Prior to joining Bethany Baptist Church, Pastor Morris served as Pastor of Evangelism and Missions at Sharon Baptist Church in Philadelphia, PA; an associate minister at 19th Street Baptist Church in Philadelphia, PA and as Chaplain at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania.

Pastor Morris is married to the former Kim D. Harris of Philadelphia; they are the proud parents of two children, Gabrielle Elise and Matthew Emanuel.
Pastor Morris is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the youngest son of the late Lem and Emma Morris. He attended Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, majoring in Political Science as an undergraduate student and Administration as a graduate student. He has a Masters of Theological Studies from Palmer Theological Seminary.

Reverend Dr. Dexter Davis
Sr. Pastor of Christian Education
dexterdavis00@hotmail.com

Rev. Dr. Dexter L. Davis Sr. was born and raised in the City of Chester, Pennsylvania. He attended the Chester Upland Public Schools and is a proud graduate of the Chester High School Class of 1973. He graduated from Millersville University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Sociology. Dr. Davis earned a Master’s degree in Public Administration from West Chester University and a Doctorate in School Administration from Widener University. Reverend Davis has also studied at TUMI (The Urban Ministry Institute).
Reverend Davis is a lifelong member of Bethany Baptist Church in Chester Pa. He accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at the age of twelve. Dr. Davis answered the calling on his life in 2008 and was licensed to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was ordained an Elder on June 12, 2016.

Rev. Davis is very active at Bethany Baptist Church and the Chester City community at large. He is an associate pastor charged with the responsibility of overseeing Christian education at the church. Dr. Davis teaches Noon Day Bible Study, serves on the Budget and Finance Committee and co-facilitates the Marriage Matters Ministry with his wife Reverend Michelle Meekins–Davis. Most recently, Dr. Davis was appointed the General Chairman of the 100th Anniversary Celebration of Bethany Baptist Church which occurred in June of 2017.
In addition to his ministry duties at Bethany Baptist Church, Rev. Davis is an active member of Mayor Thaddeus Kirkland’s Interfaith Citywide Initiative. He also serves on several boards that impact the lives of children and adults in Delaware County. Dr. Davis currently serves as an advisor to Mayor Kirkland and City Council on education-related matters.

Dr. Davis retired from the Chester Upland School District where he served as a teacher, coach, dean of students, principal, assistant superintendent, and superintendent. Dr. Davis has worked in educational institutions throughout the Philadelphia region. He has been the recipient of many educational, community, and leadership awards.

Rev. Davis is a member of Epsilon Pi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. (Chester Pa.) He is a two-term president of the chapter. He is also a charter member of the Widener Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa, a leadership honor society at Widener University.

Rev. Davis lives in New Castle County, Delaware with his wife Elder Michelle Meekins–Davis. They have two adult sons Dexter Jr. and Ian. He also blessed with a lovely daughter-in-law, Magan Davis and two grandchildren, Julian Robert Davis and Zuri Michelle Davis.

Rev. Davis believes that everything that he has achieved has been through the grace of God. He also believes that “Friendship is essential to the soul”.

Reverend Dr. Kim Morris
First Lady and
Pastor of Women's Ministry

Reverend Kim D. Morris is the First Lady of Bethany Baptist Church in Chester Pennsylvania where her Husband Pastor Curtis D. Morris is the Senior Pastor. She is also the proud mother of two children,
Gabrielle Elise, a Graduate of Howard University and Matthew Emmanuel a Junior at Delaware State. Reverend Morris was Licensed to preach the gospel on March 4th 2012, and Ordained on June 12th 2016. She has been teaching and preaching the word for over ten years. She is a noted retreat speaker, Bible study teacher, marriage counselor and the Ministry Leader for the Women's Discipleship Class.

She was educated in Philadelphia, where she has earned a Bachelors of Science in Education from Drexel University, and a Masters in Educational Leadership with her Principal's Certification from the University of Pennsylvania. She was a math teacher and the Director of the Rose Tree Media School District Summer School and Enrichment Program. Presently she is Vice Principal of Tredyffrin Easttown Middle School.
Her life verse is Prov. 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, but
acknowledge the LORD in all your ways and he will direct your path.”

Reverend Phillip L. Murray
Pastor of Administration

Reverend Phillip L. Murray accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal savior at age Christine joined Bethany Baptist Church in July of 1996. He became active in the Faith Fellowship Choir as a member and served as Vice President of the choir from January 2000 to December 2005. He was asked to serve as a Trustee of the Church in December 1999 until his call to the ministry in September of 2004. On May 10, 112005,Reverend Murray received his license to preach under the leadership of Pastor Curtis D. Morris of the Bethany Baptist Church, Chester, Pennsylvania. On Saturday, June 10, 2007, Reverend Murray completed his ordination examination given by the New Hope Baptist Association under the leadership of Reverend Dr. Baynard S. Taylor and was ordained on Sunday, June 11, 2007, as a minister of the Gospel.

Reverend Murray currently serves as: Pastor of Administration, the facilitator of the men’s discipleship class and alternates as a teacher of the Wednesday Night Bible Study with the Senior Pastor.

Pastor Murray resides in Newark, Delaware, and has three brothers of which one is his paternal twin. He was educated in the Philadelphia and Chester Public School system and is a veteran of the United States Air Force (serving 24-years). Pastor Murray is currently employed as the Loss Prevention/Environmental Health & Safety Manager for International Paper located in Thorofare, New Jersey.

Pastor Murray is married to Christine Kornegay of Chester, PennsylvaniaReverend Murray exhibits a love for God’s people and this is shown through his love of teaching and they are the proud parents of two young adults, Deacon Antony P. Murray (Yvette) and Valerie N. Cave (Sergil). They are the proud grandparents of Victoria Christine Cave.mentoring and sharing what a difference God has made in his life. Reverend Murray favorite scripture is Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me.”

Reverend Phillip L. Murray accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal savior at age Christine joined Bethany Baptist Church in July of 1996. He became active in the Faith Fellowship Choir as a member and served as Vice President of the choir from January 2000 to December 2005. He was asked to serve as a Trustee of the Church in December 1999 until his call to the ministry in September of 2004. On May 10, 112005,Reverend Murray received his license to preach under the leadership of Pastor Curtis D. Morris of the Bethany Baptist Church, Chester, Pennsylvania. On Saturday, June 10, 2007, Reverend Murray completed his ordination examination given by the New Hope Baptist Association under the leadership of Reverend Dr. Baynard S. Taylor and was ordained on Sunday, June 11, 2007, as a minister of the Gospel.

Reverend Murray currently serves as: Pastor of Administration, the facilitator of the men’s discipleship class and alternates as a teacher of the Wednesday Night Bible Study with the Senior Pastor.

Pastor Murray resides in Newark, Delaware, and has three brothers of which one is his paternal twin. He was educated in the Philadelphia and Chester Public School system and is a veteran of the United States Air Force (serving 24-years). Pastor Murray is currently employed as the Loss Prevention/Environmental Health & Safety Manager for International Paper located in Thorofare, New Jersey.

Pastor Murray is married to Christine Kornegay of Chester, PennsylvaniaReverend Murray exhibits a love for God’s people and this is shown through his love of teaching and

; they are the proud parents of two young adults, Deacon Antony P. Murray (Yvette) and Valerie N. Cave (Sergil). They are the proud grandparents of Victoria Christine Cave.mentoring and sharing what a difference God has made in his life. Reverend Murray favorite scripture is Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me.”