First Baptist Church, Winfield
Marion Baptist Association
Favorite Bible Verse: Romans 8:28
Favorite Hymn: “Amazing Grace”
Hobbies: Golfing, fishing, hunting and woodworking
Family Status: Married to Joyce for 51 years; three children, Mike, Darryl and Janna (who is deceased); seven grandchildren; and one great-grandchild
Charles A. Ballew has served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Winfield, since January 1987. At age 70, Ballew is involved in the lives of the members of his congregation. According to one member, his door is always open to the needs of the people.
Q: How did you become a Christian?
A: Attending a revival service when I was 16 years old. I didn’t grow up in an evangelical household, and I had never really heard the gospel until that revival meeting. The Lord touched my heart and I was saved.
Q: When and how were you led into the ministry?
A: I was called to preach when I was 19. Joyce and I had been married for three months, and we went to a youth rally with youth from our church. The Lord just touched my heart that night, and I knew that the Lord wanted me to be a pastor.
Q: What does the ministry demand?
A: Love for people. When that’s there, there is no burden. I enjoy preaching but I am a pastor first and a preacher second.
Q: What do you get from the ministry?
A: Satisfaction of knowing that I am doing what the Lord wants me to do. A realization within my own self that I am doing what my life’s call is. It’s not really something I do but something I am.
Q: How do you see yourself involved in this in the future?
A: Within the next few years, I’ll be retiring from the active pastorate, but Joyce and I want to do short-term missions trips.
Q: What difference has being a Christian made in your life?
A: I was aimless. I had no focus before I became a Christian, but from the point in time that I received Christ, my focus has been to serve Him. I hate to think what life would have been like had I not received Christ.
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