Chris Peoples
Pine Forest Baptist Church, Ashville
St. Clair Baptist Association
Favorite Verse: Timothy 1:5
Favorite Hymn: “Just a Little Talk with Jesus”
Hobbies: Golf
Family Status: Married 34 years to wife, Janet; son, Jared; parents, Ottis and Marie
As a teen nearly 37 years ago, Chris Peoples took to heart a challenge about attending church every Sunday. Since then, the Odenville man has not missed a Sunday in church. No matter where he is on Sunday — New York, France, Ireland, etc. — he is in church. “If Jesus went to church, we sure need to go to church,” said Peoples, who is 54. An Alfa Insurance agent in Springville, Peoples also is a deacon and has been minister of music at his church 34 years.
Q: What influences in your life pointed you to Christ at the beginning of your faith journey?
A: It would have to be my mother and father. When I went to bed on Saturday night, there was no question where you would be on Sunday morning and that was church. That’s the way it was my whole life. I accepted Christ when I was 8 years old on April 21, 1969.
Q: When and how were you led into your ministry work?
A: I’d always been involved in music. When Pine Forest’s music minister left 34 years ago one of my old schoolteachers, Mrs. Mitchell, mentioned my name to the church to fill in until they found somebody. I’ve been filling in for 34 years.
Q: What does your ministry work demand?
A: As any other type of ministry you’ve got to love and serve God first. You’ve got to love and serve the church family. You’ve got to love music.
Q: What do you get from your ministry work?
A: I’ve thought about that many times. I could work every hour of every day at my church and I could never repay the blessings. That’s just how much love there is (in the church).
Q: How do family members support you?
A: They’re always the main support. When Jan and I got married on Saturday night, the next Sunday morning she was right there beside me in church. And that’s the way it has always been. It has always been our goal — Jared’s too — to be in church on Sunday morning. My parents have always supported me.
Q: How do you see yourself involved in this in the future?
A: I’ll be singing as long as my voice allows. I’ll strive to be at church every time the doors are open as long as my health allows. Every day is a work in progress.
Q: What difference will this ministry work make for you in the future?
A: Music has always played an important part in my life. I started singing in church when I was 8 years old. I would like to show young and old alike that singing praise to God is a wonderful way to worship.
Q: What difference has Jesus Christ made in your life?
A: Jesus is my Everything; I’ll be honest with you. There’s a line in the old Andraé Crouch song “My Tribute” that says, “All that I am and ever hope to be, I owe it all to Thee.”
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