Calcedonia Baptist Church, Centre
Cherokee Baptist Association
Favorite Verses: John 3:16; John 11:35; John 14
Favorite Hymns: “Amazing Grace”; “The Old Rugged Cross”
Hobbies: Watching college football, particularly the University of Alabama, and also Atlanta Braves baseball
Family Status: Widower for six years after 36 years of marriage to wife, Linda; one sister
Kenneth Stinson, 75, has attended Calcedonia Baptist Church all his life and was recently recognized by his church for 63 years of membership. As a greeter, he is often the first to welcome people to his church, frequently speaking to them while they are still in the parking lot. In addition, he is an usher, offering chairman and his church’s representative to Cherokee Baptist Association, a lay minister and an 18-year member of the association’s executive board. He visits churches in the association and prays for the pastors. Though retired now, Stinson has been a farmer, a property caretaker, a sportswriter, a sports director for a local radio station and a radio ad salesman.
Q: What influences in your life pointed you to Christ at the beginning of your faith journey?
A: My faith in Christ is that He went up on the cross and shed His blood for my sins and other people’s. I started reading the Bible. My mother and daddy carried us to church. I was 14 when I accepted Christ during a revival.
Q: When and how were you led into the ministry work?
A: I was on a tractor clearing land. And God dealt with me and called me to preach. I had to get down off that tractor and get on my knees. I had been running from God.
Q: What does the ministry work demand?
A: It demands that we get out and work, help one another and love one another.
Q: What do you get from the ministry work?
A: I get a great joy out of it. If I get happy, I turn loose and shout!
Q: How do family members support you?
A: They continue to pray for me.
Q: How do you see yourself involved in this in the future?
A: I hope I can keep walking and keep talking and telling people about Jesus.
Q: What difference will this ministry work make for you in the future?
A: I just have to keep on going and praying and being a witness. As long as I can, I’ll get out there and work and get people in church.
Q: What difference has Jesus Christ made in your life?
A: He’s made a great, 100-percent difference.
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