A Life Well Lived

By Jimmy Aldridge

Charles, always the faithful witness, handed a tract to a young women in the Birmingham bus station.  Anita was searching for direction and meaning in life.  As she rode the bus back to Michigan she read it and was deeply touched.  She saw the name and address of FWBBC. She sent for information and later enrolled in Nashville, TN as a student.  And a restless young man from OK, bearing scars of rebellion from an auto accident, found his way there, too.

 In due time, Lonnie Sparks and Anita were married.  They became our first FWB missionaries in Ivory Coast, West Africa.  Janie and I had the privilege of working with them for many years.

In the fall of 1953, Charles and Dave Franks drove down after classes in Nashville, TN to Curry, Al where Cordova and Curry were playing a football game.  They wanted to see and encourage a high schooler in his walk with the Lord.  They arrived in time for the last half of the game.  I was that tenth grader and was greatly encouraged.

About that time Faye Gilbert, also from the Cordova church graduated from Florence State U with a degree in English.  Charles helped her make contact with FWBBC officials who needed an English professor.  She was hired for the job.  As you might know, this led to the courtship and marriage of Faye and Leroy Forlines.  Blessed with 2 boys, their first son teaches presently at the Bible College. The younger son, James, is Director of International Missions.

 Charles always led his church in support of overseas missions. This meant so much to Janie and me, more that words can tell. We will never forget the vehicle Northport church purchased for us to use in Ivory Coast our first term

Charles was inspired in the ministry of encouraging young people by his parents, Alvis and Ernestine Hollingshead.  Back in the day, in the 50’s, Cordova church teens would congregated at their house after every Sunday evening services.  There were always hot dogs, chips, dessert…and encouragement.  We would talk, sing, pray and share testimonies.  What encouragers they were to us! Charles caught that spirit and later got paid to do that very thing.  His mom & Dad did it for us for free. We were blessed.

Charles and Dave  Franks, Sr. carried this spirit statewide by organizing an annual state youth rally.  Hundreds of FWB youth attended.  They came from all across the state, north to south.  We were touched by God in those meetings.

Charles had the gift of being able to see a vision, sell the vision and the tenacity to see it finished before he would leave it.

I think as we are gathered here today Charles is rejoicing in heaven.  I believe he is now meeting people from all around the world, people he helped win to Christ.  And I believe Charles is rejoicing in the commendation given by the One he loved and served:  “Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter into your reward”.