January 19, 2025
SYLVANIA, GA – Charlie Cooper has announced his retirement as pastor of First Baptist Church in Sylvania and the church acknowledged his decision with a gracious “retirement reception” on Sunday, but don’t you believe that he is retiring from the ministry.
A faithful pastor never retires from Christ’s service. He may change the address of his workplace, but God’s call is not designed for a moment, but a marathon. Charlie Cooper will not stop preaching, because God’s Word is like fire burning in his bones (Jeremiah 20:9).
He was saved when he was age 8 and by his 13th birthday, he was preaching on street corners or wherever he could get an audience, so you can count on him continuing to proclaim the unsearchable riches of Christ until God calls him to his eternal home or until he sidelined by the limitations of old age.
The Psalmist’s prayer seems to characterize Cooper: “Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come."
Furthermore, Charlie Cooper will never stop helping those in need, because he has a servant’s heart. Angela Mesecher, Cooper’s secretary/assistant for nine of the 12 ½ years he has been the pastor in Sylvania, remarked, “Pastor Cooper has such a heart for people. I know that many of us may get jaded when people continue to come for help or counsel, but I have never seen him get weary of the constant demands upon his time and service. He always has demonstrated a desire to help those in need.”
Cooper not only demonstrated the spirit of a servant, but he has been able to minister and serve commendably because he is an authentic Christian and has a wonderful sense of humor. Henry Ward Beecher once said, “A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs. It is jolted by every pebble on the road.” The combination of the servant’s heart and the joy of the Lord always makes for a successful and stable ministry.
Reflecting on Cooper’s ministry in Sylvania, deacon Tom Averet stated, “Charlie Cooper has been such a personal and spiritual brother to me. He and I drink coffee almost every weekday morning and talk about the Lord. He is a great friend and preacher, but more than that he is a true and faithful pastor. My wife, Linda, and I love our pastor and his wife, Linda, so much.”
William Tripplet, the chairman of the deacons at First Baptist Sylvania, remarked, “Pastor Charlie has been faithful to the Word of God. He has preached the Word without compromise. He has also always been loving, kind and ready to help anyone in need. During my service as deacon chairman, he has always kept me informed of everything going on in the church and I would never hesitate to ask his opinion about any pressing matter.”
Prior to becoming pastor of the Sylvania church Cooper was pastor of Burkhalter Baptist Church in Savannah for 26 years and then interim pastor of South Effingham Community Church in Guyton for 2 ½ years. His 12 ½ years in Sylvania is the longest tenure for any pastor at First Baptist Church since 1902.
Prior accepting the call to pastor the Burkhalter Church, Cooper served as pastor of Hatchchubbee Baptist Church near Phoenix City, Ala., Bonabella Baptist Church in Savannah, Ogden Baptist Church near Yazoo City, Miss., and Jasper Springs Baptist Church in Garden City.
Charlie’s greatest asset in ministry has been his wife, Linda, to whom he was married right out of high school. The Coopers have three grown children: Charles, Jr. (Chuck), Kimberly and Phillip, six grandchildren and three great grandchildren. One great granddaughter is named Charlianne, the only child, grandchild or great grandchild named after great grandpapa Charlie.
Cooper recently stated, “I pray that I will still have the opportunity to preach and minister, perhaps as a supply preacher or an interim pastor, but at my age it might be well advised to slow down the pace a degree or two.”
In a previous Christian Index article, it was stated that in 1981 John Beam, who served Baptists for many years in Savannah, affectionately nicknamed Charlie Cooper “Super Duper Cooper.” To many people in the Savannah-Sylvania area that is exactly what Charlie Cooper is – a genuinely “super”lative” man of God.
His last sermon at First Baptist Church was on February 27. His sermon title was “Finishing Well”. In his marathon ministry, you can be certain that “Super Duper” Charlie Cooper will finish well.
