Charles “Charlie” James, 84, of Muscle Shoals has been in ministry 53 years. Forty-eight years were spent as a pastor. In that time, he served six churches, which included twice at one church for a total of 21 years (for which he received a resolution from the Alabama Senate). A Nabisco salesman for 15 years while a bivocational pastor, James also devoted six years to the Army National Guard. He received an honorary doctorate from Biblical Study Theological Seminary, Bible College and Institute in Georgia. Currently, he is a volunteer staff member at Valley Grove Baptist Church in Tuscumbia, where he has been named pastor emeritus. His Tuesday sermons posted on Facebook have received comments from as far away as South Asia.
Ministry title: Retired pastor
Church name: Valley Grove Baptist Church, Tuscumbia, in Colbert-Lauderdale Baptist Association
Life verse: “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:8).
Describe where you focus your greatest ministry efforts. I have a great burden for many senior adults who aren’t committed to Christ and the Church.
Q: Who was or is one of the most influential people in your faith life? Why?
A: Two men from my youth years — the late Pastor C.D. “Charlie” Thorn influenced me for the love of the Bible. He, along with two now-deceased deacons — Cecil Robinson and Elton Amos — influenced me to the Christian faith. The church — North Russellville Baptist Church in Franklin Baptist Association also.
Q: Tell about a “turning point” in your life and how God was involved.
A: My turning point: April 1962. I got saved from a 10-year church member to a born-again, new creation in Jesus Christ at age 23. A preacher and pastor from age 31 1/2 years, now 84 years old.
Q: What has God been teaching you lately?
A: The Christian faith is and has been a great and wonderful journey for me for 61-plus years. Stay faithful! Finish well!
Q: If there were one thing you could tell your younger self about faith, what would it be?
A: It really is simple: Teach and preach for children to understand it. Forty-five years ago, 10-year-old, precious Cindy from Hampton Heights Baptist Church in Tuscumbia thanked me for preaching for her to understand.
Q: Have you ever read a book or heard a song that changed the way you think about God and faith? What was it and what did you learn from it?
A: The song “In Christ Alone.” He is all sufficient for earth life and eternal life. My favorite two books, “The Grace Awakening” and” Simple Faith,” by preacher and author Charles Swindoll. I think both are great books for every Christian and for the seeker.
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