Dr. Dick Temple and his wife Margaret have been pastors at Bethel Church since the church was formed in 1971. Dr. Temple was born in Ponca City and moved to Choctaw in 1956. Margaret has lived in Choctaw all her life. They both graduated from Choctaw High School in 1963.
Dr. Temple and Margaret were married in 1965 and have three daughters; Jill, Joey and Jana. Dr. Temple graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1967 with a degree in Architectural and Structural Design, he furthered his education by attending Southwestern Bible College in Oklahoma City. He later received his Master of Theology and his Doctorate of Theology from International Seminary in Orlando, Florida.