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During the reception they gave last month for Carnes and his wife, Eula, ladies of the WMU pointed out some of their preacher's accomplishments successful Bible schools every year, moving into a new church building, the new play area for the children and landscaping at the new church.
"At our reception, we had a money tree for the Carnes," said WMU member Virginia Pangle. "He took that money and put it right back in the church by buying plants and posts and landscaping materials for the church. That's just the kind of man he is."
Pangle called Carnes "a real workman" and said II Timothy 2:15 best describes his creed, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
"He built the new play area for the children, and when he's not doing the spiritual work for the church, he's out there in the yard doing the physical work," Pangle added.
"He always comes in with a smile and cheers us up," said another WMU member.
But actually, Carnes said, "It is the congregation that cheers me up. I couldn't have stayed here this long without the love of the congregation."
"It took us seven years to build our new church. He stuck with us during all that. He's a very dedicated man," said Pangle.
Carnes is noted for the opportunity he provides for those wanting to go into preaching. He offers them his pulpit to practice.
"I couldn't do that without the assistance of the congregation, though," he's quick to point out. "I thank the church for giving me the liberty to give them the liberty to practice."
He ordained two ministers and five deacons.
When he was 30, Carnes was called to preach. "That's the same age our saviour was when he began preaching," he said.
His mission is "to stay the course. Acts 1:8 says, ŒBut ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria and unto the uttermost part of the earth.' We need to stay mission minded, beginning on the home front and then extending as far out as we can."
What is the hardest part of his job? "Fighting Christ's enemy, the Devil," he will tell you.
"God called me to Locust Field, and I couldn't have been placed in a more suitable place or yoked up with a better congregation," Carnes said.
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The Rev. Charles Carnes and his wife, Eula, were honored July 15 with a reception at Locust Field Missionary Baptist Church sponsored by the WMU in appreciation for the couple's 30 years of dedicated service.