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conversations with charlie
by W. Jackson Watts
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Excitement grabs my necktie and leads me through the front doors of Goen Hall. I shoulder through the blustery wind towards the small office on the bottom floor of the Cook Building. Because my appointment is with Dr. Charles Allen Thigpen, I quickly straighten my tie and smooth down my wind blown hair as I knock on the office door.
Such meetings have been a regular part of my schedule during four years at Free Will Baptist Bible College. I became acquainted with the former college president as a freshman. Our initial discussion has grown into a very candid relationship based on many lively afternoon conversations. Although he recently celebrated his 80th birthday, he still offers valuable and relevant professional and personal insights to Christian life and ministry.
As our friendship has grown, I have come to realize that few stories are more impressive than Dr. Thigpen’s journey from the sleepy small town of Olanta, South Carolina to his role as professional educator in Nashville, Tennessee.
Early Ambitions
Charles Allen Thigpen was born on September 26, 1926, the fourth of five children born to Allen and Mabel Thigpen. Though his father was a jeweler, most members of the Thigpen family were farmers. He and his family were Southern Methodists, attending the Turbeville Southern Methodist Church, a few miles down the road.
His amazing journey began at age 13 during a revival held at the local schoolhouse. As the meeting progressed, something marvelous captured the hearts of Charles Allen and his friend Laura, known to most as “Lolly.” Although they can’t remember the evangelist’s name or the exact dates, both teens were saved during the revival.
Charles Allen was ambitious. He aspired to attend the University of South Carolina and become a lawyer. However, this was only the beginning. From there it was just a short trip to the Governor’s Mansion, the position he dreamed of filling.
Allen and Mabel had different plans, insisting that Charles attend a Christian college for at least one year. (Thigpen still praises his parents for their wisdom on this matter.) Although he didn’t like the idea, he decided to make Bob Jones College (now University) his next stop. Because his girlfriend Laura planned to attend the college, the move served to please his parents and foster his relationship with Laura. Only God knew the great work he had in store for the young man.
Photos: Eric K. Thomsen
Throughout childhood, Thigpen’s friends and playmates knew him as Charles Allen, but when he arrived at Bob Jones, his friends began to call him Charlie. Not long after arriving, God began to deal with him. Charlie found himself conceding that he would serve God no matter what—even if it meant farming!
The Lord clarified things, and Charlie began to prepare for the ministry. Throughout his senior year, he made weekend trips to Tuscaloosa, Alabama to preach in a small Methodist church there. Though he did not own a car at the time, he hitchhiked, or “directed traffic” as he calls it, in order to get a ride south.
The College Years
After graduating from college the young coupled married and immersed themselves in ministry at the church in Tuscaloosa, starting two other churches along the way. It was only after correspondence and a meeting with Free Will Baptist Bible College President L.C. Johnson that they realized they were more Free Will Baptist than Methodist.
After much prayer and consideration, Charlie and Lolly headed to Free Will Baptist Bible College in Nashville, Tennessee in the fall of 1948. With the exception of four years when Charlie felt an urging from the Lord to pastor again, the couple spent the next 43 years serving the college. During the time away, Thigpen pastored the Highland Park FWB Church in Royal Oak, Michigan, (now Central FWB Church). The church blossomed under Thigpen’s pastorate and attendance more than tripled during his four-year ministry. In spite of his success, Dr. Johnson continued to urge the couple to return. They moved back to Nashville in 1957 and remained at the college until their retirement in 1991.
The Voice
One of the most memorable characteristics of any man, especially a preacher, is his voice. Anyone who sat under the preaching or teaching of Thigpen for very long remembers the resonating, sharp, steady voice.
Recently, while cataloging old chapel tapes for the college, I encountered numerous tapes from the early 1980s, recorded during the early years of Dr. Thigpen’s presidency. Inserting several of the cassettes into a tape player, I soon began hearing the sound of his voice from the pulpit in Memorial Auditorium.
The voice resonated with the concern of a college president as he told students, “Straighten up, and act like young men and women!” Thigpen often pounded the pulpit with his index finger when emphasizing a particular point.
At other times, however, his tone was gentle, like a grandfather who tenderly, yet firmly admonished students, “Just surrender your life to Christ and serve him faithfully.” Thigpen has preached the same way for 64 years. His style never wavered.
Dynamic Duo
Someone recently remarked, “You couldn’t have a Dr. Thigpen without a Mrs. Thigpen.” This is certainly the sentiment of all who encountered the couple over the years. They were a team. With wisdom beyond their years, they guided countless students down the path the Lord prepared for them.
Mrs. Thigpen taught speech and drama for many years and helped refine the speaking skills of many effective Free Will Baptist preachers. Known for her attention to detail and no-nonsense classroom policy, she lit up the classroom with her vibrant energy.
Although the Thigpens worked diligently at the college, they were also dedicated Christian parents. Charlie is quick to talk about his 4 children, 14 grandchildren, and his lone great-grandchild. I know their names and where they live. Three graduated from Free Will Baptist Bible College, and two even taught at the college in past years.
Follow the Leader
Charles had the ability to make suggestions and ask hard questions when no one else was willing. His pioneering spirit significantly affected the direction of the college, and even the denomination.
In Charlie’s early years at the college, he urged president L.C. Johnson to take the college from a two-year program to four-year status. Thousands of graduates later, the college has flourished as a result of the decision. The current Teacher Education program also has its beginnings with Thigpen
Word on the Street
As story after story began to emerge during our conversations, I began to wonder if others shared the same admiration and respect for this godly man as I do. I began to ask questions of pastors and leaders who attended Free Will Baptist Bible College while Thigpen was president. Time and again, I heard words of appreciation, gratitude, and respect. One pastor referred to him as Barnabas, one who had been an incredible encourager to him.
Another pastor was deeply affected by Thigpen’s remarkable capacity to remember the names and faces of the 648 students (the college’s record enrollment). One rumor says that the former president would sit in his office with the college yearbook in his lap, carefully perusing each page so he could call students by name.
Whether this is true or not, there is little doubt that Thigpen had an unusual ability to remember students.
One pastor said, “He is a man of awesome integrity, who lived what he preached and lived what he thought.”
Often during our afternoon chats, Dr. Thigpen would not hesitate to disagree with a philosophy or practice. He was always respectful, however, and quick to point out that his personal view is not an absolute.
God has given me a mentor of great wisdom, integrity, godliness, and humility. The only time I ever heard Dr. Thigpen boast, he informed me that he got to drive his dad on his honeymoon—an odd feat for anyone. Of course, this occurred when his dad married Kathleen Green after his wife’s passing.
The Road Ahead
Never mind that Charlie will be 81 this year. He is still going strong—serving as interim pastor at the Heads FWB Church in Cedar Hill, Tennessee, 35 miles north of Nashville.
With their family living in Georgia, the couple (who will celebrate 60 years of marriage in just a few months) plans to relocate to the state in the coming year. It will be the first time the blue house on Murphy Road has been vacated since 1959. Of course, 50 years of paperwork must be sorted first.
Though it seems Dr. Thigpen’s professional ministry has come to an end, his ministry has always been about people, not positions. His message today is simple: “Live for God, be faithful stewards, and influence as many people for the Lord as you can.”
About the Writer: Jackson Watts is a graduating senior at Free Will Baptist Bible College in Nashville, TN. He is studying Pastoral Ministry and English.
The Thigpen Record
Education
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B.A. in Bible/English, Bob Jones College, 1947
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M.A. in Religious Education, Winona Lake School of Theology, 1953
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M.Ed. in Psychology, Middle Tennessee State University, 1970
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D.A. in English, Middle Tennessee State University, 1975
Professional
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Pastor, Tuscaloosa Southern Methodist Church (AL),
1946-48
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Dean of Men, Free Will Baptist Bible College, 1948-53
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Registrar, Free Will Baptist Bible College, 1949-53
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Pastor, Highland Park FWB Church (MI), 1953-57
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Moderator, National Association of Free Will Baptists, 1954-60
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Dean of Students, Free Will Baptist Bible College, 1957-67
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Academic Dean, Free Will Baptist Bible College, 1957-79
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Faculty, Free Will Baptist Bible College, 1948-53, 57-80
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President, Free Will Baptist Bible College, 1979-1990
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President, of American Association of Bible Colleges (now ABHE), 1984-86
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President, Tennessee College Association, 1990-91
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Chancellor, Free Will Baptist Bible College, 1990-91
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Tennessee State Promotional Director, 1991-2006
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Editor, The Echo (TN State FWB Publication), 15 years
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Frequent guest speaker in revivals, association meetings, and conferences
Publications
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Co-author of Survey of the New Testament, Randall House Publications
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Bible Scholar, Randall House Publications
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Various journal and magazine articles throughout the years
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