Charles “Footsie” Burger, seated, is surrounded by his pastor and members of his Sunday School class, from left, Toby Brogden, Carl Colloms, Jimmy Renner, Harold Haddock, Charlie Allen and Bill Long.
CALHOUN — While some churches have gone from traditional Sunday Schools to small groups at nontraditional times and locations, Sunday School is still part of the strategy to fulfill the Great Commission at Calhoun First Baptist Church.
“This would not be possible without the dedicated teachers who study and prepare each week to lead their class/small group through a study of God’s Word,” affirmed pastor Toby Brogden.
One such teacher, Charles “Footsie” Burger, has been teaching the men’s Sunday School class at Calhoun First Baptist Church for more than 50 years.
The past few years have been a challenge for Burger to come to church due to his declining health, his pastor noted.
As a result, Burger had to step down from this position that he has faithfully held over the years. But his legacy lives on.
Burger began teaching the Juniors class at Calhoun and was soon recruited by the SS superintendent to teach a young men’s class.
Over the years, men of all ages have been welcomed to attend.
Several of the men who were in his first young men’s class from the beginning transitioned with him from a young men’s class to a senior adult men’s class.
When asked what has kept him teaching for such a long time, Burger responded, “I love studying the Word of God and enjoy that moment when I see men in the class understand something about the Bible they had never understood before.”
It hasn’t been a solo journey for Burger. His wife, Patsy, and their two children, have supported him in this ministry. He was 21 years old when he and Patsy were married in 1961. Simply attending church was not sufficient for Patsy, she insisted that they were to attend and raise their family at Calhoun First Baptist Church, where they have been serving ever since.
The members of Calhoun First Baptist Church wanted to express their heartfelt appreciation for Burger’s many years of service in teaching Sunday School at Calhoun, Brogden said.
“No matter what class may be in that room, it will always be known as ‘Footsie’s class,’ ” Brogden said. “May the Lord raise up a new generation of men and women who will faithfully serve Him through serving in the church until they are physically unable to do so or until the Lord calls them home.
“Thank you, Footsie, for your faithful service to your Savior and His church at Calhoun First Baptist.” B&R
