The ministry of Curtis Kelley has spanned 72 years so far. Though retired from full-time ministry, the 90-year-old Tuscaloosan still serves as an interim and supply pastor. A minister of music at one time, Kelley became a full-time pastor in 1957. He served at five churches and on several Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions committees. He has taken more than 16 international missions trips. Kelley holds multiple degrees and is pursuing another. He and Barbara, his wife of 68 years, have three children (one of whom is deceased), eight grandchildren, two step-grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Ministry title: Retired pastor
Church name: Taylorville Baptist Church, Tuscaloosa, in Tuscaloosa Baptist Association
Life verse: “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest” (Josh. 1:9).
Describe where you focus your greatest ministry efforts. Teaching eschatology. Churches seem to have a hunger for prophecy, especially in our present days.
Q: Who was or is one of the most influential people in your faith life? Why?
A: My dad, Amon, was a country preacher. Making a living farming took priority over high school for him. He did go for some courses through Howard College Extension (now Samford University). I was called (to preach) when I was 15 years old. He was a great mentor and showed me how to make an outline and tie the points together. Adolph Blakeney was my mentor during college. He has had about as much influence on my life as any man I know. My wife is a tremendous help, making sure that everything is okay.
Q: Tell about a turning point in your life and how God was involved.
A: The turning point in my life was at 15 when God called me to preach. (In college) I was interested in music and was majoring in music. That was a life-changing decision for me to go ahead and preach and do music on the side. The college president advised me to be prepared in both and let God provide the way. That was great advice and I took it. I love singing and preaching.
Q: What has God been teaching you lately?
A: What He’s been teaching me for the last three to four years is don’t ever give up on God. And the corollary to that is don’t ever give up on your child.
Q: If there were one thing you could tell your younger self about faith, what would it be?
A: That if you are willing and submissive, God will lead every step of your life and He will bless you in whichever direction He leads you.
Q: Have you ever read a book or heard a song that changed the way you think about God and faith? What was it and what did you learn from it?
A: The book that I learned the most about God, apart from the Bible, is by A.W. Tozier, “The Knowledge of the Holy.” He had a depth of knowledge about God that I have never seen. … It is a magnificent book on God Himself.
Q: Does your church have any special traditions that mean a lot to you? What are they?
A: We do a thing at Christmas that involves anyone and everyone who will volunteer. For the last 16 or 18 years, we put Christmas visuals on our property, and family cars are bumper to bumper (to see the scenes). We don’t close it until people are gone. We have Joseph and Mary and the baby and real animals … and give people the sense of what it was to be there 2,000 years ago. Hot chocolate and a witness are given each night.
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