Bishop Charles Pentecost

About Charles:

Pastor of Abundant Life Community Church in Hammond.

Graduate of Bible Training Institute in Cleveland, TN.

Ordained in 1954, became a bishop in 1968. He and his wife, Helen, live in Hammond and have three daughters and three grandchildren.

Accomplishments: Bishop Charles Pentecost is the spiritual leader of Abundant Life Community Church. The assembly will celebrate its 75-year anniversary Oct. 24 and 25 with special music intertwined with worship, fellowship, guest speakers, former members and pastors and a Sunday afternoon meal. Pentecost presides at the 11 a.m.Sunday worship service, is involved in visitation and counseling. He or his wife, who is also an ordained minister, leads the Wednesday evening Bible study. The assembly has an active all ages Sunday school program, children's ministry and is involved in world mission programs. The church also takes on special projects and is part of an outreach that organized a church in Russia 14 years ago; that assembly has planted 80 more churches with a total membership of 140,000 members. Pentecost will again be involved in the church's Thanksgiving dinner for the needy in November. He praised the congregation for its outreach and openness. "It's a church that has an

outreach to all races," he said. "We don't emphasize one race, everyone is welcome. We want to reach out to the whole community with the message of salvation."

Why I minister to others: "I feel I was definitely called to do that at the age of 13. I started speaking in church at the age of 16 and then a local church voted me in as assistant pastor. I've been in church all my life. I feel called by the Lord to do it."

What I read: "I like to read research books on the Bible."

Advice: "Always put God first."

What inspires me: "My love for people. I love to minister."

People might be surprised to know: "I love to be in the woods. That's my get away." -SUE BERO, Times Correspondent

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