Longtime Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) minister Rev. Charles E. Champion of Walnut Grove, South Carolina passed into glory at around 10:20 PM on Saturday, March 15, and was pronounced deceased shortly after midnight on Sunday, March 16. He was 91 years old. Antioch Presbyterian Church (3600 SC-417, Woodruff, SC 29388) is hosting a called worship service of praise to God for Pastor Champion’s life is scheduled for Friday, March 21 at 2:00 PM. Pastor Champion intended for any service held on the occasion of his death to be a “service of worship to God alone” rather than a “memorial service.”
The bulletin for the service—including Pastor Champion’s hand-picked Scripture and hymn selections—can be found here.
During his long and fruitful life, Pastor Champion served Presbyterian churches in Tennessee, Mississippi, and South Carolina. His service spanned several presbyteries of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). Within the blessed bounds of Calvary Presbytery in the South Carolina Upcountry, he labored diligently and assiduously as Stated Clerk of Presbytery, and as Pastor of our Mount Calvary (Roebuck/Walnut Grove), New Hope (Abbeville), and Antioch (Woodruff) Churches.
He is preceded in death by his beloved wife Raedean Champion (nee Brown) and his granddaughter Tiffany Champion Parks. Surviving are one daughter, Mickey C. Turner of Moore; a son, Charles Michael Champion (Patti) of Gray Court; two grandchildren, Katherine Turner Clark (Tyler) and Charles David Turner (Holly); and seven great-grandchildren, Emerson Turner, Charli Turner, Turner Clark, Emory Clark, Maeby Clark, Elise Parks, and Ethan Parks.
The Antioch Church family dearly loved Pastor Champion, who pastored Antioch from 1994 to 2020. He remains the longest-serving pastor in Antioch’s 182-year history. In 2021, the Elders of the Church named the library the “Champion Room” in recognition of his service, and the portrait featured above hangs in that room.
Pastor Zachary Groff recalls, “Over many years, including the last few years in which I had the privilege of knowing and visiting with him, Pastor Champion modeled selfless service to Christ’s bride and unbounded love for his own beloved, Miss Raedean. He was resolutely committed to his family and their spiritual welfare. Though uniquely gifted in many ways—not least of which was his impressive self-discipline and work ethic—he was also a very humble man. He was not afraid to talk about his work and accomplishments, but he never did so in such a way so as to boast about himself. He always put the spotlight on Christ, and he lived a joy-filled life of service to God, testifying in the words of John the Baptist, ‘He must increase, and I must decrease’ (John 3:30).” Dr. Joseph A. Pipa, Jr. remarked, “I have know Charles Champion for over 40 years. He was a faithful man. You could say ‘steady.’ He was a compassionate pastor. He was a diligent churchman. I thank God that I had the privilege of knowing Charles Champion.”
Before coming to Antioch in “semi-retirement,” Pastor Champion ministered at New Hope Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Abbeville, SC for 11 years, Mount Calvary Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Walnut Grove, SC for 3 years, and Houston Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Houston, MS for twelve years (including two as student supply during his time at Reformed Theological Seminary). Before pursuing the gospel ministry, he served Brainerd Hills Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga, TN in various capacities, both unordained and ordained, including as a Deacon and then as a Ruling Elder (and Clerk of Session). He had a uniquely high aptitude for organization and administration, and he ably served the church in all these capacities. As the brief personal testimony below shows, Pastor Champion was a hard-working, spiritually minded, and industrious man. He was also a committed family man, and his commitments to His Savior and to his family guided him at key decision points in his life.
My Personal Testimony, by Rev. Charles E. Champion
Not to us, O LORD, not to us,
But to Your Name give glory
Because of Your lovingkindness, because of Your truth.
Psalm 115:1
I was born and raised in Chattanooga, TN, where I met my high school sweetheart, Raedean Brown. After high school, I received football scholarships to Vanderbilt University and Georgia Tech, but I chose instead to marry and take a job as an apprentice printer at the Times-News Free-Press. Over the next 18 years, I advanced through the ranks, ultimately becoming the assistant manager of the commercial printing department, which entailed supervising about 35 employees. When offered a promotion to foreman—which would have meant overseeing 125-150 people—I turned it down, not wanting the added stress and time away from my family, which by that time included Mike and Mickey.
From early childhood until a few years after our marriage, I attended our neighborhood church, Second Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga. After purchasing our first home, we moved our membership to Brainerd Hills Presbyterian Church. We immediately became involved, and I was quickly elected president of our Sunday school class. Within the first year, I was also elected president of the Men of the Church. During our time at Brainerd Hills, I served as a Deacon, a Ruling Elder, and the Clerk of the Session. Raedean and I even performed janitorial duties and spent considerable time helping to build a new educational wing for the church. I willingly did whatever I was asked to do—except for teaching a Sunday school class. Despite serving as the Sunday school superintendent and leading the singing each Sunday, I struggled with speaking in front of people. When asked to teach a Sunday school class, I always declined, unable to overcome the anxiety it caused me.
In 1968, my pastor and I attended an Evangelism Explosion program at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church. This experience profoundly changed my life. Upon returning, I could no longer refuse to teach a Sunday school class. I vividly remember my first lesson was from John 15, “I am the true vine,” though that’s all I recall. However, every Sunday thereafter, I taught that class, which grew from 10 members to 50 adults. I applied the evangelism training I had received and began teaching it to others willing to go out and share the gospel. During this period, the idea of a call to ministry arose when I was about 28, but I was convinced that I was serving in every possible way, remaining content with that decision for the next ten years.
For several years, our family would go fishing in Crossville, TN, about 85 miles north of Chattanooga. We would fish from Friday afternoon to Saturday afternoon, then return to Chattanooga to prepare for Sunday worship. During one vacation, I visited the local newspaper in Crossville and spoke with the owner, who offered me a proposition: manage the newspaper, stabilize its finances, and in return, receive 50% of the stock over the next five years, with an option to purchase the remaining 50%. In just one year, we expanded the paper from a weekly to a twice-weekly publication, with plans to publish three times a week. The commercial printing department grew, and we were making significant profits. However, the stockholders decided to sell the newspaper, and my dream was abruptly ended. I was compensated for the 10% of the stock I had acquired.
As I weighed my options—whether to go into business or to return to Chattanooga—the Lord reminded me of the ministry. While mowing the lawn and praying, it became clear that He was calling me into full-time ministry. I argued, citing reasons why it seemed impossible: I didn’t have a college degree and doubted I could get into seminary. But the Lord assured me He would make a way. I contacted Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, MS, and after an interview, I was told I would need to attend college for at least a year to prove I could handle the academic rigor. Discouraged, I enrolled at Belhaven College in Jackson. After one semester, with grades of all A’s and B’s (at 38 years old), I returned to the seminary and expressed my desire to begin my preparation for ministry. After reviewing my grades, they allowed me to enter the winter quarter. During this time, the Lord provided an excellent position for Raedean with the Mississippi Electric Co-op so that she could help support the family.
Although seminary typically takes three years to complete, I finished in two and a half, taking every required course, including Hebrew and Greek, and earning all A’s and B’s (except for one C in Hebrew). During this time, I also served as s student supply pastor at Houston Presbyterian Church for two years until my graduation. Upon graduating, I accepted a call from the Houston church, where I served for about ten years.
Like Moses, I spent 40 years in the world before beginning my ministry as an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) at the age of 40. It was fascinating to see what the Lord did with the next 40-year period of my life as I focused on life as a minister at various PCA churches (Editorial Note: Pastor Champion retired from his last call at 86 years old). At the center of it all was ever and always my heart’s desire: “He must increase, and I must decrease” (John 3:30). This verse was at the core of my ministry. Though I did not repeat it every Sunday, its message was woven into every sermon I preached, and every lesson I taught.
Raedean and I have always considered it an honor and privilege to serve the Lord in His ministry:
- Various Roles, Brainerd Hills Presbyterian (20 Years)
- Student Pastor & Pastor, Houston Presbyterian (12 Years)
- Pastor, Mount Calvary Presbyterian (3 Years)
- Pastor, New Hope Presbyterian (11 Years)
- Pastor, Antioch Presbyterian (25 Years)
Soli Deo Gloria!
To God Alone be the Glory!