For the last four decades, Pastor Charles E. Timberlake has watched over and shepherded First Street Missionary Baptist Church in Hopkinsville — providing what many deem to be a “significant spiritual impact” on the local neighborhood, community and beyond.
A cold, rainy, windy Wednesday afternoon didn’t deter his congregation, nor local leadership, from making sure his name forever watches over the street — as officials, in faithful return, unveiled the re-designated Quarry Street in his honor.
As Timberlake took to the podium, someone from the gallery shouted: “That’s my pastor.”
He smiled.
Following a ribbon cutting from the Christian County Chamber of Commerce, visitors broke into song — belting stanzas from “Every Praise.”
Timberlake has been preaching for 58 years and a pastor for 54 of them, spending 12 years in Calloway County at Murray’s St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church on Spruce Street before working his way toward Jackson, Tennessee.
These two callings, he said, eventually led to Christian County — where he’s been ever since.
The measure — one made possible through Hopkinsville City Council and its mayor, J.R. Knight — means a lot not only to Timberlake and his family, but also to the parishioners, who have had continuity and faith throughout.
Knight noted he’s known Timberlake for the better part of 20 years, and cited Isaiah Chapter 40, Verses 28-through-31 as the best description of his soaring, eagle-like leadership.
It reads: “Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.”
City councilwoman Natasha Francis also confirmed that, should he continue to preach, Timberlake’s true 40th Anniversary is this December.
Rev. Tim McWilliams closed Wednesday’s gathering in prayer.
It’s worth noting that First Street Baptist Church celebrated its 200th birthday in June 2018, meaning Timberlake has been its main voice for nearly 20% of its existence.
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