Bolen, Frank

First Baptist Church, Selma
Selma Baptist Association

Favorite Bible Verse: 2 Timothy 2:15
Favorite Hymn: “The Savior is Waiting to Open the Door”
Hobbies: Computers, housework
Family Status: Married to Frances for 63 years; two daughters, Linda and Anne; two granddaughters

Frank Bolen has been a member of First Baptist Church, Selma, for nearly 75 years. Now 86 years old, he was a deacon for more than 50 years and is currently serving as deacon emeritus. Over the years, Bolen has been deacon chair, finance chair, Sunday School superintendent, church trustee, junior department head and a choir member. He joined the U.S. Air Force for three years and served in World War II in which he became a prisoner of war for about 10 months. Later Bolen served in the Korean War with the National Guard Reserve.

Q: What led you to be so active in church?
A: Our mother and father raised us in the church. I love the church and I love to be around fellow Christians.

Q: Why have you continued serving?
A: I kind of gravitated in the work from one job to another. I guess God just led me where He wanted me to be. I’ll always be grateful for it. I had already given Him my life, and I felt like I owed Him another after the wars.

Q: What do you get from it?
A: Satisfaction. I felt like I had done what God wanted me to do.

Q: How do you see yourself involved in this in the future?
A: If I see the Lord calling me to do something, I’ll do it.

Q: How has this ministry affected you?
A: I have had some indications from guys that I taught in the junior department. They have come back to me and told me what it meant to them. Those rewards make me feel mighty humble, that I had touched them and they wanted me to know it.