Westview Baptist Church, Opp
Covington Baptist Association
Favorite Bible Verse: Matthew 6:33
Favorite Hymn: “Beulah Land”
Hobbies: Fishing, hunting, gardening and woodworking
Family Status: Married to Beatrice for 57 years; four children, Peggy, Jane, Charles and Ethern; 13 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren
Charles E. Morris served as a full-time pastor for more than 40 years before retiring and moving on to interim work. But after a while, Morris grew tired of not being able to become close to church members and decided to join Westview Baptist Church, Opp. It wasn’t long before he felt called to become the church’s minister to senior adults. In this role, Morris has started a number of programs for the seniors to participate in, ranging from visiting nursing homes and assisted-living facilities to a Bible study to trips.
Q: How did you become a Christian?
A: Very early in my childhood, my older brother made a profession of faith, and I thought I ought to do that, too. I joined the church but I wasn’t saved. When I was about 14 years old, I realized I wasn’t a Christian and we had an evangelist come and preach revival. In that revival, the Holy Spirit began to prick my heart and I made my confession of faith and was baptized.
Q: How were you led into the ministry?
A: An evangelist came to preach in our church. He said that God had told him to preach the revival there because there was a young man who He wanted to be in the ministry. After the service, the evangelist spoke to me and told me, “You are that (young) man.” During the following days, the Holy Spirit began to work on my heart. One night, I felt like I heard somebody call my name. I thought it was my dad calling me to get up and do my chores, but I realized that was not the case. I went back to sleep, and I heard the voice call my name again. The second time I got up, I didn’t understand it and went back to sleep. The third time, it said, “Charles, I am calling you to the ministry.” The next morning, I told my family that God had called me to preach.
Q: What difference has being a minister to senior adults made in your life?
A: It gave me a deeper appreciation for the presence of the Lord in senior adults, because senior adults are those who go through trials, difficulties, heartaches and death. It gave me an opportunity to encourage and strengthen them during these difficult times.
Q: What difference has being a Christian made in your life?
A: It made all the difference in my life. When I became a Christian, I really began to live.
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