Bishop Hollis Charles marks 56 years in Ministry
“THERE IS NO REGRET in my life.”
This is the bold statement coming from Bishop Hollis Charles, as he celebrates close to 60 years as a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
On June 13, 2023, Bishop Charles celebrated his 56th anniversary as a pastor.
In an interview with SEARCHLIGHT on Sunday evening, Bishop Charles said he has no regrets about the path which his life has taken.
He admitted that when he started out in ministry, he was young and did not know much.
However, by reading and studying the word of God and by attending numerous training seminars and conferences, Charles’ ministry grew.
After being ordained as a pastor, he started the Bethel Gospel Assembly in Georgetown.
At that time, he and his wife Jestina Charles, also lived in the community of Georgetown.
Charles who was ordained as a Bishop in 2002, now pastors the Bethel Gospel Assembly at North Union.
Reflecting on the early days of his ministry, Bishop Charles said “I used to walk from Georgetown to Lowmans Windward to preach the Gospel.”
“As a young man, I was very energetic and I had a passion for the work of the Lord, and also for lost souls”.
He said all this was done with great joy .
Today, 56 years later, youth is no longer on his side, but with whatever strength he still has, pastor Charles continues to preach the good news of salvation.
It was in the year 1962 that Charles repented of his sins and gave his life to the Lord.
At that time, he was just a young man, and had attended a crusade in Tobago, which is the place of his birth.
The evangelistic meeting was conducted by Rev Turnel Nelson, who is now deceased.
“I remember Rev Nelson saying if there is anyone here who does not know Christ, you are dying without knowing it.”
That was all the impetus which Charles needed to draw him to the altar.
“I prayed the sinners prayer and my life was changed completely.”
That decision at the altar brought about a transformation that would change the course of Charles’ life forever.
It brought him to St Vincent and the Grenadines as an evangelist in 1965.
He returned to Tobago, but moved back to St Vincent and the Grenadines and got married to Jestina Burke, who is originally from Byera Village.
With this union, Charles’ resolve was strengthened to continue working for God.
Apart from being his advisor, Bishop Charles said his wife is also his “tower of strength.”
“She has been a blessing; without her, I would not have made it in ministry”.
Bishop Charles also recalls travelling on foot to other communities on the mainland, even as far north as Owia to minister the Word which resulted in the formation of a church there.
The church building was, however, damaged by the 2021 volcanic eruptions, but the work of the Lord continues in Owia with Bishop Charles still going there regularly to preach.
In retrospect Bishop Charles said “We have seen so many lives changed, some of them are teachers, some are policemen and some are even doctors and nurses”.
Along with changing lives, his ministry also saw the joining of hearts.
“I performed 162 marriages over the years,” Bishop Charles reflected.
Apart from the marriages, there were also “numberless” baptisms under his ministry.
He is also blessed with a singing voice and has recorded many songs with his wife.
In 1989, Charles started the Guiding Light programme on NBC radio, which is a blessing to many people.
He began serving the Lord in his youth, and today, Bishop Charles is encouraging the young people to do the same thing.
“The best time to give your life to Christ is when you are young.
“When you give Christ your life when you are young, it’s a whole life. If you wait until you are old, then you are just giving Christ part of your life.”
Bishop Charles still believes that “people have to be ready before it is too late.”
He is thankful to God for sparing his own life from the clutches of death.
On March 24 this year, Bishop Charles was involved in a serious vehicle accident at Byera.
However, the Chester Cottage resident miraculously escaped with only an injury to his eye.
That accident could have had a different outcome, but what has happened has solidified his belief that “God has spared my life for a purpose.”
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