About 21 years ago, Charles Lennard said “yes” to filling the pulpit at a church with 12 members just over the Florida line. He was supposed to be moving to North Carolina, but he had a few months before the move and wanted to help while he could. But before the move happened, the church had more than tripled in size and was still growing.
He felt God was at work, so he stayed.
Fast forward about nine years, and the church was bursting at the seams, with no room to grow. Over time, God opened the door for them to combine with First Baptist Church Florala, a church with ample facilities but a small congregation.
And now — 11 years after that — Lennard is retiring from FBC Florala as pastor emeritus.
The church thanked “Pastor Charlie” for his “time of service and faithfulness to God’s cause” with a celebration Aug. 29.
He and his wife, Linda, plan to stay in the Florala area. He has a doctorate in Christian counseling and plans to continue in personal ministry and pulpit supply where needed.
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