Riverside Baptist Church, Mobile
Mobile Baptist Association
Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 33:3
Favorite Hymn: “Lily of the Valley”
Hobbies: Working at church and home; attending Mobile BayBears or Atlanta Braves games
Family Status: Widower for 5 years after 64 years of marriage to wife, Myrtle; son, Rick; daughters, Pam, Sherry and Lisa; 8 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren
At 88, Earl Collier sees his mission as being a leader in his church and telling others about Jesus Christ. “He still has some use for me,” Collier said. A member of his church almost from its beginning, Collier is chairman of deacons and Sunday School director. After serving in the Korean War, he worked 37 years as a civilian employee of the U.S. Air Force.
Q: What influences in your life pointed you to Christ at the beginning of your faith journey?
A: It was my parents and my family. I started out very young going to Sunday School and have practically been going ever since. Back in the ’40s, Brother Neel, the second pastor of Riverside, took me under his wing and helped me to know Christ.
Q: When and how were you led into your ministry work?
A: The biggest thing, I was led by the third pastor we had at Riverside. He led me into all phases of work at the church. Through him, I was ordained as a deacon.
Q: What does your ministry work demand?
A: It demands a lot of work. I am chairman of deacons and Sunday School director. I lead the outreach ministry. I’m pretty busy with those things.
Q: What do you get from your ministry work?
A: I get the joy out of it … to do these jobs and be part of the church family.
Q: How do family members support you?
A: My family members have always supported me and encouraged me in all my work. I just thank God for them. When they were growing up, they knew Sundays and Wednesdays were church days.
Q: How do you see yourself involved in this in the future?
A: I am going to continue to do what I’m doing now as long as the Lord will let me. I don’t think I need to slow down. I had heart surgery 30 years ago. He has blessed me these years and I am going to continue to do His work.
Q: What difference will this ministry work make for you in the future?
A: I don’t think there will be any difference. I go full time as it is now. I just pray that He will do His will in my life.
Q: What difference has Jesus Christ made in your life?
A: He made a lot of difference in my life. … All my family (are) Christians and they participate in church full-time. I appreciate that.
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