Ballew retires after more than 54 years in ministry

First Baptist Church, Winfield, saw the end of an era in 2012 with the retirement of Pastor Charles Ballew.

Ballew served 25 of his more than 54 years in full-time ministry service at the Marion Baptist Association church.

Ballew was called to preach in 1958 just three months after his marriage to the former Joyce Morrow. He was licensed by Oakland Baptist Church, Birmingham, where he and Joyce were members at the time. He was ordained in 1967 by Five Points Baptist Church, Northport.

Ballew has served several churches in north Alabama, including Sipsey Baptist Association’s Philadelphia Baptist Church, Samantha; Lamar Baptist Association’s First Baptist Church, Beaverton; and Fellowship Baptist Church, Vernon. He also served Oakland Church, Birmingham, as well as Forrest Hills Baptist Church, Fairfield, and First Baptist Church, Shady Grove, in Birmingham Baptist Association.

Ballew’s education includes a bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama and a master of divinity and doctorate in ministry from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. 

Retirement does not mean the end of ministry for the Ballews. They plan on doing missions work in the western United States in the future.

Ballew learned many things throughout his years of ministry, but one lesson remains clear. 

“If I should even attempt to offer the greatest or most profound lesson I have learned through the providence of God, it would have to be this: All churches are not the same, but the needs of people are the same wherever one serves,” he said. “People are lost. Folks are hurting and need a pastor who understands this and who is willing to invest his life and energy in their lives. Our God does all things well and wants those of us in ministry to serve rather than be served.”