Bethlehem Pillar

Saturday marks the 49th anniversary of Char Ransom’s call to Bethlehem.

Photo caption: Char with the pastoral staff in the late 80s. (From left to right, front row: David Livingston, Char Ransom, Dean Palermo, Kurt Swanson, David Michael, John Piper; back row: Brad Nelson, Steve Roy, Tom Steller.)

The October 22, 1961, the church bulletin noted, “Call extended to Miss Char Ransom. Accepted, to begin January 1, 1962.” Char’s first title was Director of Children’s Work and Educational Secretary.

She served on the pastoral search committee that called Pastor John Piper, and she has traveled on a couple dozen missions trips. Even into her 80s, Char serves at the Information Booth at the North Campus, is a communion server, and serves as a relief receptionist.

I thank God for Char Ransom (one of only a handful of individuals from Bethlehem who met my dad before he died in 1978) and am given pause to wonder how I will be blessing others when I’m in my 80s—should the Lord tarry and give me these years.