About BCA

History of Bethel Christian Academy

Bethel Christian Academy is a ministry of Bethel Free Will Baptist Church at the intersection of N.C. 258 South and Banks School Road, Kinston, NC.  The church began the school in 1970 with classes in kindergarten through grade ten.  Pastor David Paramore led the church with church staff member, Doug Henderson as the first principal.  Mr. Henderson served two years.  That year saw a surprising 400 students show up the first day! 

BCA began teaching students the basic courses as well as teaching Bible classes and integrating Biblical truths in all the courses.  There were not many other fundamental Christian schools in the area.  Christian textbooks and Christian school associations were very scarce in 1970.  However, dedicated teachers felt God’s call and joined in the faith endeavor to teach students in the ways of the Lord.

In 1972 four new classrooms were added, and in May of 1973, the first senior class graduated.  Also, a day care was added in 1972.  Mr. W.C. Ruffin became principal in the fall of 1972.  He served for five years as Bethel’s principal. 

Mike Paramore, son of Pastor David Paramore, taught at Bethel beginning in 1972.  He became BCA’s third principal in 1977 and served through the 1983-84 school year.  A gymnasium was built and completed in 1979. 

Randy Taylor graduated from Bethel, taught at Bethel, and became the fourth principal in 1984.  He served as principal until 1990.

In February of 1991, Pastor Paramore retired after 30 years as pastor of the church and school.  Pastor Archie Ratliff then became pastor of the church and school and continues in that position today.

In 1990, Richard Barnard became the fifth principal and served fifteen years as principal until he was named Administrator and Family Pastor for the church in 2005. 

Robert Spruill became High School Supervisor and teacher in 1992.  In 2005 he was named the sixth Principal of the elementary and high school and served until 2007.

In 2007 Michael Fulcher became the seventh principal of BCA and served until March 2009.  Richard Barnard reassumed the position once again in 2009 and became the eighth principal until his retirement at the end of the 2010-11 school year. Doug Phillips became BCA’s ninth principal in July 2011 and is currently serving. Mr. Phillips is guiding BCA through the Accreditation process with the North Carolina Christian School Association.

Bethel participated in athletics from the beginning, including football, basketball, baseball, softball and tennis.  Tennis and football was dropped, but volleyball, a shooting team and golf has now been added as competitive sports.  BCA is a member of the American Association of Christian Schools and the North Carolina Christian School Association – since 1992.

Enrollment which began over 400, dropped to under 300 in the 1980’s.  In 1990, enrollment for four-year-old kindergarten through grade twelve was 245.  By the fall of 1994, the total was 322, and peaked to 433 in 1998.  In 2008, the total in K5 through grade 12 was 310, K4 was 30, K2 and K3 total 25 for a grand total of 365. Today’s enrollment is PS-64, Elementary-168, JH-40, HS-62 for a total of 334 students.

BCA has always had a strong emphasis on college-preparatory high school courses.  A fully-furnished science lab was built for the first year and now a fully-furnished computer lab with internet access and networked systems.  A computer program with the University of Richmond, Computer Technology Programs, was added for all students in kindergarten-five through high school.

Bethel Christian Academy participates in the AACS Christian Honor Society, NC Quiz Bowl, NC Spelling Bee, several county-wide contests, NCCSA academic testing, NCCSA Achievement Test program and the Duke TIP scholastic program.  The high school students enjoy a spiritual retreat at the beginning of each school year, weekly chapel services, yearly school revival, and a senior trip.

In all, Bethel has 37 acres of campus with a gym, two libraries, large cafeteria and kitchen, elementary playground, office complex, eight restrooms in the main building, a computer lab, a music room, and 23 classrooms.  All classrooms are air-conditioned. 

Principals of BCA:

1. Doug Henderson, 1970-72

2. W.C. Ruffin, 1972-77

3. Mike Paramore, 1977-84

4. Randy Taylor, 1984-90

5. Richard Barnard, 1990-2005

6. Robert Spruill, 2005-07

7. Michael Fulcher, 2007-2009;

8. Richard Barnard, 2009-2011

9. Doug Phillips, 2011-current

Support BCA

Parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, brothers, sisters, friends and businesses can all help support BCA in many ways! BCA does not accept any government money. Therefore, we rely on the tuition and fees our students pay. This, however, does not cover everything. We need “extra” help that comes through fundraisers and special gifts.

All gifts are tax deductible and can be made by cash, check or credit card. Also, donations of materials and labor can be counted as gifts to BCA. One of the greatest gifts of support to BCA is your time! Through volunteering and being a part of our school, either through the booster club, friends of the library or other avenues, you are one of the big reasons our school can be a success. Contact the school office today if you would like to help support BCA today.