Pastor Timothy Hawkins was born in Cleveland, Ohio. From his early days, the role of a pastor intrigued him; and his childhood pastor, who walked with humility, gentleness, and strength, inspired him. In 1983, Pastor Hawkins answered God’s call to preach the Gospel at Second Mount Olive Baptist Church in Cleveland. Since answering that call, his life has been an example of how the Lord will move and use those dedicated to serving Him.
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As a member of the United States Military, Pastor Hawkins was moved to California, where he and his family became members of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church of Oakland, California. In September of 1985, Reverend Hawkins was placed into service as an Associate Minister under the leadership of the Late Dr. Herbert Guice.
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The Lord moved the Hawkins family to Oceanside, California, where Pastor Hawkins was stationed at Camp Pendleton. The family united with the Second Missionary Baptist Church, Oceanside, California, where he served as an Associate Minister from 1987-1989, under the leadership of Pastor W. W. Wright. On November 13, 1988, Reverend Hawkins was officially ordained into the Gospel Ministry.
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After 5 years in the Military (Hospital Corps and Surgical Technologist), Pastor Hawkins received an Honorable discharge. In December 1989, he returned to Oakland, California. He and his family reunited with Bethel Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the Late Reverend Dr. Herbert Guice; there, Reverend Hawkins resumed the duties of an Associate Minister.
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In September 2001, God led Pastor Hawkins to Bible Fellowship Missionary Baptist church, where at the invitation of Reverend A. Q. West, he stepped into an actively supportive role and, as Pastor West’s chosen assistant, took on many of the burdens and joys of guiding a church. Eleven months later, Reverend West retired after thirty years of faithful service. On November 17, 2002, God blessed Bible Fellowship with its third leader as Reverend Timothy Hawkins assumed the position of Pastor.
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A devoted husband, father and grandfather, Pastor Hawkins is married to Rachel Hawkins. His beloved wife assists him with premarital and family counseling, as well as leading the Sisterhood Ministry. They are the proud parents of three sons: Reverend Dewayne Hawkins (married to Krista Hawkins), Timothy Andrew Hawkins (married to Desireé Hawkins), and Reverend Matthew Hawkins (married to Amaria Hawkins). Pastor and Sister Hawkins are doting grandparents of Jaylen, Elijah, and Kyla children of Dewayne and Krista; and Matthew Jeremiah, Maree Jaia-Nachel, and Moriah Joy-Nachel children of Matthew and Amaria.
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Pastor Hawkins is blessed with the gifts of preaching and teaching the Word of God. While pastoring ministering to his flock, he strengthens those gifts by continued study. He recently received a Master Arts in Theological Studies from Faith Seminary of Tacoma, Washington, and is currently enrolled in a Doctoral degree program.
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Under the leadership of Pastor Hawkins various new ministries have been established to utilize spiritual gifts and serve the congregation, which include: Junior Deacons, Junior Brotherhood, Greeters, Sisterhood, Praise Team, Mime, Audio and Visual, Singles and Marriage, Women’s Choir, Praise Team, Step Team, Dance, Website, Media, Van and Parking Ministries.
While the edification of the human spirit is Pastor Hawkins’ chief concern, he also seeks to provide a physical location that is conducive to learning and Christian fellowship. Through his leadership, many improvements to our beautiful edifice have been completed. In addition, we have acquired computer equipment and automated our record keeping. Now, through his vision and encouragement, we have embarked on a Building Project, which will be a major accomplishment for our church family in the coming years.
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The Lord has blessed Pastor Hawkins with a pastoral gift and his life’s experiences have strengthened him to perform this role to the glory of God. For over twenty years, he has been preaching, teaching, watching and warning, evangelizing and counseling. Through his ministry, he has demonstrated the role of a pastor as outlined in I Timothy 3:1-7. Pastor Hawkins is a man of personal integrity, family dedication, and good reputation. Bible Fellowship is blessed to have him at the helm!
To God Be the Glory!
Our Family & Events
Church History
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In 1947, the Late Pastor O.P. Smith organizer the Bible Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church. The original location of the church was 1784 – 7th Street, Oakland, CA. Reverend O. P. Smith, who was dedicated to the ministry and preached the uncompromising Gospel. In 1949, the church body moved to 1136 – 34th Street, Oakland, CA. And, on August 31, 1956, in order to accommodate its membership the church body moved our current location of 1520 – 8th Avenue Oakland, CA. Under Pastor Smith’s leadership extensive renovation occurred, which included redesigning the choir stands, pulpit and new classrooms. Also, under Pastor Smith leadership, Bible Fellowship became known as the “Holy Ghost Headquarters”. On May 16, 1971, Reverend Smith’s beautiful life came to a close and he went home to be with the Lord.
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In December 1971, Reverend Adam Quincy West who served as an Associate Minister was called to Pastor the church. Under his guidance the church continued to grow and many souls were saved. New auxiliaries evolved, the church sanctuary and kitchen were remodeled, and the church purchased two mini vans. After thirty years of faithful service, Reverend West retired. On April 21, 2006, the Lord called him home to glory.
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In September 2001, God led Reverend Timothy Hawkins to our church, by the invitation of Pastor A. Q. West, he stepped into a supportive role as Pastor West’s assistant. On November 17, 2002, Reverend Timothy Hawkins was installed as the third Pastor of our church. Under the leadership of Pastor Hawkins various new ministries have been established to utilize spiritual gifts and serve the congregation, which include: Junior Deacons, Junior Brotherhood, Greeters, Sisterhood, Praise Team, Mime, Audio and Visual, Singles and Marriage, and Mime. In addition, we have established weekly AWANA Children and Youth Bible Study. We were blessed to: pay off the van ahead of time; upgrade and add new computers to our offices; renovate the sanctuary, baptismal pool and install new doors; created a theater that includes a sound system and theater style popcorn machine; completely renovated the Ladies’ and Men’s Bathrooms and made accessible for those physically impaired. We have significantly expanded our outreach through media and evangelism. Furthermore, we have expanded our youth ministry with a dedicated Youth Pastor, Reverend Matthew Hawkins. Many souls have been saved and new members added to the ministry. From August 2009 through August 2010 our church has received sixty-seven members in which thirty of those individuals were candidates for baptism.
Bible Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church’s archives are filled with examples of how God’s Hand has been on this ministry and worked through our Pastors, three great men of God: the Late Pastor O.P. Smith, the Late Pastor A.Q. West, and the current Sheppard, Pastor Timothy Hawkins. We are thankful for our spiritual heritage and we look forward to remaining “Steadfast the Faith” as a ministry. “To the only wise God our Savior, [be] glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.!” Jude 1: 25