After Rev. Mary Davis left, LPC once again began the pastor search process but the pulpit was always filled by ordained pastors or Presbytery approved leaders within the region. In the spring of 2017, Rev. William Charles contacted LPC about our need, as he and his wife, Marge were relocating from Richmond to Abingdon.
Rev. Charles visited LPC in March and was asked to become our 10th Pastor. He joined us as a Stated Supply Pastor on April 2, 2017.
“I was born in Fresno, California to parents who grew up as preacher’s kids and spent many of their working years in the teaching profession. My younger sister taught special education. At Fresno State College I prepared to be a history teacher. I achieved that goal in 1970 when I joined the faculty of Parlier High School teaching music and history.
That goal was short-lived. My draft lottery number of 077 meant my teaching days were numbered. I enlisted in 1971 as a French hornist. The army sent me to Louisiana, South Korea, and Colorado. I continued my wandering ways going to McCormick Seminary in Chicago on the G. I. Bill in 1974, graduating in 1977. Since then, I’ve served the Church in eight states.
I retired from two Smyth County churches in 2010 and pursued writing projects. Chief among them was Black, White & Greene: Cheering ‘Em On at River Rouge High, the story of my wife’s senior year of high school in the Detroit area.
I came out of retirement in 2015 to serve the Milford Presbyterian Church in Caroline County, Virginia through 2016 when I resigned in preparation for Marge’s and my move to Abingdon and my unexpected sense of God’s call to Lebanon Presbyterian Church.
A hallmark of my ministry has been the creation of biblical skits, plays, songs, musicals, and pageants. I look forward to continuing in that vein with you. I’m glad to be here.”
Rev. Charles has been actively leading LPC with forming Wednesday night Bible Study class, joining the church choir, leading interactive congregation service participation and participating in community events. He leads our congregation continue to come together to worship, fellowship and praise God for our many blessings. This is our church home, and this is our church family. Praise be to God.
After Rev. Mary Davis left, LPC once again began the Pastor Search process but the pulpit was always filled with either ministers or Presbytery approved leaders within the region. In the spring of 2017, Rev. William Charles contact LPC about our opening, as he and his wife, Marge were relocating from Richmond to Abingdon.
Rev. Charles visited LPC in March and was asked to become our 10th Pastor. He joined us as a Stated Supply Pastor on April 2, 2017.
“I was born in Fresno, California to parents who grew up as preacher’s kids and spent many of their working years in the teaching profession. My younger sister taught special education. At Fresno State College I prepared to be a history teacher. I achieved that goal in 1970 when I joined the faculty of Parlier High School teaching music and history.
That goal was short-lived. My draft lottery number of 077 meant my teaching days were numbered. I enlisted in 1971 as a French hornist. The army sent me to Louisiana, South Korea, and Colorado. I continued my wandering ways going to McCormick Seminary in Chicago on the G. I. Bill in 1974, graduating in 1977. Since then, I’ve served the Church in eight states.
I retired from two Smyth County churches in 2010 and pursued writing projects. Chief among them was Black, White & Greene: Cheering ‘Em On at River Rouge High, the story of my wife’s senior year of high school in the Detroit area.
I came out of retirement in 2015 to serve the Milford Presbyterian Church in Caroline County, Virginia through 2016 when I resigned in preparation for Marge’s and my move to Abingdon and my unexpected sense of God’s call to Lebanon Presbyterian Church.
A hallmark of my ministry has been the creation of biblical skits, plays, songs, musicals, and pageants. I look forward to continuing in that vein with you. I’m glad to be here.”
Rev. Charles has been actively leading LPC with forming Wednesday night Bible Study class, joining the church choir, leading interactive congregation service participation and participating in community events. He leads our congregation continue to come together to worship, fellowship and praise God for our many blessings. This is our church home, and this is our church family. Praise be to God!
