Bethel Restoration Center

">The history of Bethel Restoration Center encompasses an incredible journey involving a number of notable transformations and the inspired commitment of hundreds of faithful individuals. Bethel Restoration Center’s expanding and evolving membership has adhered to the one true mission of its ministry: to recognize and meet the needs of all of God’s people, through the encouragement of personal relationships with Jesus Christ now and forever.


Bishop and First Lady Gray stepped out in faith in 1981, heading back to their roots in Williamsburg, Virginia from Richmond, Virginia. While residing in Richmond, Virginia, they served the Lord faithfully at the Bible Way church at 1630 Rose Avenue under the leadership of Bishop C. T. and Mother Mattie O’ Hairston.

The first service was held in his mother’s home (Mother Rose Gray) with his uncle, brothers and sisters. While at this interim position, the pastor weekly sorted out family members and friends to fellowship in their homes. The members kept the faith for a more suitable site and membership continued to increase. Funeral homes, shut down nightclubs, and neighboring churches were being used for Sunday services. God continued to bless us abundantly and allowed us to witness souls being saved, healed, and delivered.

In 1984, God blessed the Bethel Bible Way Church to purchase land and build their first sanctuary. God has blessed us a hundred-fold, increasing the congregation by the hundreds.

In 1999, Bishop John N. Gray, Sr., was lead by the Holy Spirit changed the name of the church from Bethel Bible Way Church to Bethel Restoration Center to give definition to the ministry.

In 2004, God continued to exemplify his power by allowing us to build a new edifice on 6205 Richmond Road. This new edifice has 850-900 seat capacity and accommodations for various ministries in the first phase.

The surrounding cities such as James City and York are blessed and fortunately to have Bethel Restoration Center in their mist. God has done a tremendous work through the spiritual men and women of God at Bethel so his name can be exhorted throughout the community.

Bishop and lst Lady Gray, along with their congregation, continues today to pray for the lost, the hurting, the abused, those that are in need of love and restoration. Our goals are to provide an adequate place to do God’s business. It is a memorial of God’s faithfulness to his people.

Since 1981, Bethel Restoration Center has been blessed with a good and Godly history. The church is based solely on the teachings, grace and divinity of Jesus Christ. As such, the congregation goes forth in its mission knowing that they are tightly bound by the truth and wisdom of the Gospels in the Old and New Testaments. Believing the Bible to be the inspired Word of God, the congregation has faith that the Holy Spirit of God Ultimately leads the church in all its endeavors.

Pray for us as we continue to restore souls for Christ Jesus.