Someone You Should Know
By Leigh Pritchett
Correspondent, The Alabama Baptist
James Ivy
McEntyre Baptist Church, Ashville
St. Clair Baptist Association
Favorite Verse: John 3:16
Favorite Hymn: “We’ve Got the Power”
Hobbies: Doing carpentry, mechanical and electrical work; compiling historical cemetery inventories
Family Status: Married 62 years to wife, Betty; daughters, Dyanne and Beverly; son, James; 9 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren
James Ivy, 84, of Ashville, is his church’s minister of pastoral care and associate pastor. At age 42 he became a minister and also began the quest to earn his bachelor’s degree from Mobile College (now the University of Mobile). The U.S. Air Force veteran previously served as full-time pastor of Bethel Baptist Church, Flomaton, and Sardis Baptist Church, Atmore, and moderator of Escambia Baptist Association. From 1976 to 1983 he was a missionary to the Creek Indians in Atmore. For 10 years he simultaneously served as minister of pastoral care at the former CrossPoint Community Church, Gadsden, and interim pastor of Triune Baptist Church, Attalla.
Q: What influences in your life pointed you to Christ at the beginning of your faith journey?
A: Many Christian friends. A devout Christian schoolteacher. I was led to Christ by my Christian mother and grandmother. My mother was Cherokee and my father was a lay preacher. They always had me in church and taught me right from wrong. A circuit-riding preacher told me I was going to be a preacher. I guess he knew more then than I did.
Q: When and how were you led into your ministry work?
A: I had a deep desire at the age of 16 to preach the gospel. I was told to finish school and get a little older before doing that. They said I needed to be at least 25 to do that. I didn’t fully get the call (to ministry) until I was 42, even though I was already doing church work.
Q: What does your ministry work demand?
A: Whatever is necessary to carry out the gospel. It includes counseling, visiting, support — whatever the Church needs. I always try to be available to do anything and everything.
Q: What do you get from your ministry work?
A: Sheer joy. Absolute joy of serving the Lord and His people and the joy of knowing I am His child. And I know my destination.
Q: How do you see yourself involved in this in the future?
A: Anything the Lord wants me to do. I will be involved in the ministry until the Lord takes me across the Jordan (River). I never intend to stop. I’m going to stay involved in the ministry.
Q: What difference will this ministry work make for you in the future?
A: I hope it is to do more than I’ve done in the past.
Q: What difference has Jesus Christ made in your life?
A: He has changed a sinner by grace and He has given me life in Him. He is my Life. He has taught me to love.
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