Our Staff
Matt Celoria - Senior Pastor
Matt Celoria was born in Roswell, New Mexico and grew up singing gospel music with his family. The Celoria Family Singers sang in nearly 1,000 churches across the United States for over a decade. As a teenager he surrendered his life to preach the gospel.
He earned his Bachelor’s degree from William Carey University, where he met his wife. Upon graduating with a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Matt served at churches located in Mississippi, Arizona and Oklahoma.
Matt and his wife, Amber moved to Alamogordo with their four children, Michael, Paige, Luke, and Asher in 2015 and was called as Bethel’s Senior Pastor in January of 2018.
Stephen Martone - Associate Pastor of Music and Worship
Stephen has served Bethel as Associate Pastor of Music and Worship since August, 2012, after serving churches for 30 years in Florida, Texas, Georgia and Tennessee. After receiving a B.A. in Music (Piano and Vocal Performance) from Tennessee Temple University in 1984 he continued to serve in full-time ministry. Both he and his wife, Vicki, attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Forth Worth, TX where they graduated with a Master of Music degree in 2001. Their children, Stephanie and Nathan, are both graduates of Dallas Baptist University and reside in Dallas, TX. Stephen’s priorities are to lead the church in worship and develop worship-leading choirs and musicians of all ages.
Joshua Dancer - Associate Pastor for Students
Joshua was born in Columbus, Ohio, and grew up as a youth pastor's kid in many different states. He met his wife, Maleah, at Cedarville University (OH) where he received his BA in Pastoral Studies. He went on to attend Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC, where he earned his Master of Divinity. While at Southeastern, he and his wife served as High School Life Group leaders at their local church. They were called to Bethel Baptist Church in September of 2020, where they now live with their puppy Kaz. They enjoy hiking, playing games, and trying out local restaurants.
Alexis Speegle - Children's Ministry Director
Originally from Alabama, Alexis and her husband Michael moved to Portales, New Mexico in August of 2012. While there, they were blessed with 2 children, Isaiah and Karis. In March of 2020, they moved to Alamogordo and joined Bethel in July. Alexis joined our staff as the Children’s Ministry Director in January of 2022. She has a B.S. in Elementary Education from Athens State University and many years of experience serving toddlers, children, and youth in various educational and ministerial capacities. She loves reading and relaxing with her family.
Kristin Johnson - TOTS Director
Kristin is originally from Oklahoma and moved to Holloman AFB in 2013. Kristin has been a member of Bethel Baptist Church since 2013 and is a faithful servant in the KIDZ ministry. She and her husband John, have three daughters, Calla, Kacie, and Kendall. Kristin has always had a passion for working with children. They bring a smile to her face and joy to her heart! Kristin worked as a licensed home childcare provider since 2008, and God’s clear interaction brought her to the TOTS program. Kristin seeks to encourage and build up the families we serve. Kristin has her BA in Child Development. When not working, she enjoys watching her girls play sports, reading, baking, and photography.
Cheryll Weisensel - Administrative Assistant
Cheryll serves as Administrative Assistant to the Senior Pastor and has been on staff at Bethel since April 2010. Her primary responsibilities at Bethel are to assist the Senior Pastor in his ministry. She also maintains the annual church profile and serves as Church Clerk, in addition to assisting various church events and activities. She has been actively involved in the Women’s ministry, as well as a facilitator for many of the Discipleship classes offered at Bethel. Cheryll enjoys cooking and crafts. She and her husband, Jeff, have three sons, Travis (wife Sarah) , Garrett (wife JeriAnn), and Chancelor (wife Tina). She has been a member of Bethel Baptist since April 2004.
Linda Patterson - Receptionist
Linda came to New Mexico with her family from east Texas in the mid-fifties. She has been a member of Bethel since 2014. She assists in the nursery and Sunday School. She is the mother of an adult married daughter who has blessed her with four beautiful grandchildren. Linda’s spiritual gifts are hospitality, teaching and helping. She enjoys cooking, reading, crocheting and spending time with her family.
Bonnie Larson - Receptionist
Bonnie grew up in a Christian home in New Plymouth, Idaho, attended Prairie Bible Institute in Alberta, Canada, then married and raised two sons. She spent 31 years moving coast to coast as a military wife and mother and later a pastor’s wife. Following a cancer battle in 2001, she returned to Canada, where she received a Bachelor’s of Religious Education from Ambrose University. Later, she completed a Master’s of Education from Grand Canyon University in Arizona. Bonnie spent 13 years teaching in a Christian school and 5 years teaching in an Oregon Correctional Institute. She and her husband, Todd, moved to Alamogordo in 2017 to retire and be near her son and grandchildren. Bonnie loves to read and play the piano.
Mary Lawrence - Music Assistant
Mary joined the Bethel staff in November 2019 sharing the receptionist responsibilities. She moved to the Music Assistant position, working with Pastor Stephen Martone, in August 2020. She and her husband, David, began attending Bethel in 2013. Mary sings in the church choir. The USAF brought the Lawrence family to Alamogordo in 1989 where they raised four children and now have fourteen grandchildren. She received a BS in Elementary Education from NMSU and a MA in Teaching from Grand Canyon University. Mary taught school for 20 years, in private and public schools, and home school.
Angie Cooper - Financial Secretary
Angie and her husband Mark, along with their five children (Sophia, James, Caleb, Olivia, and Samuel) have been residents of NM since 2016, when they moved to La Luz from the East coast. The Coopers became members of Bethel in 2019. Angie's favorite hobbies include growing food, raising goats, and transporting her kiddos to various youth events.
Jeff Weisensel - Maintenance
Joining our staff in October 2010, Jeff does just about whatever is needed on the campus at Bethel Baptist Church, including leading the preparation of our Wednesday Night Meals. Born and raised on a dairy farm in Wisconsin, Jeff is an avid Green Bay Packer fan. He and his wife, Cheryll moved to Alamogordo in 2001. Jeff interests include traveling, motorcycles, tractors, and antiques, but he mostly enjoys spending time with family and friends.