Bethel’s Leadership Team

About Our Pastors

Charles Ricks, Jr. is the Senior Pastor of Bethel Temple Church. He was officially commissioned as Bethel’s first African American pastor in April 2018. He is also an Ordained Minister with the Assemblies of God. Pastor Charles has been married to the love of his life, Lori Ricks, for 37 years and she serves alongside her husband in ministry as Executive Pastor and Director of Women’s Ministry.

Before becoming full-time in the ministry, Pastor Charles worked with several professional service organizations with increasing responsibility including: Virginia Beach Department of Human Services; Virginia School for the Deaf, Blind and Multi-Disabled; Newport News Redevelopment and Housing Authority; Goodwill Industries of Hampton Roads; Virginia Department for the Visually Handicapped.

Prior to her retirement in 2022, Lori was an Executive Assistant with Huntington Ingalls Industries for 40 years.

They serve together with a true servant’s heart and have patterned their life after what Jesus taught his disciples in Matthew 23:11-12, “But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”