PAINTSVILLE—Christine Brown, a native of Paintsville, has been a member of First Baptist Church for nearly 80 years, making her one of the longest, living members—and still counting.

Although she has been homebound for about five years and is unable to attend as often as she’d like, she listens to many services by radio and worships with them in spirit, according to her pastor, Seth Carter. She still supports a lot of ministries financially and in prayers, he said.

Mrs. Christine, as she is known to many of the members, was baptized at age 11 by then-pastor Sam Sloan in First Church’s former sanctuary, which is now used by another congregation. She attended as a child and believes she may have accepted Christ during Vacation Bible School.

She is still an honorary member of First Church’s flower and decorating committee, having served as long as anyone can remember, and she once served in its Woman’s Missionary Union.

The best way to describe her is “a very genuine, gentle soul,” Carter said of Mrs. Christine. “She’s love’s people, and she love’s anything our church does with children. That’s where her heart is,” he added. “She’s a precious lady.”

Her church means everything to her, Mrs. Brown said. “It’s a delight to have been a member there for so long. It makes me feel good all over, and to have been on the side of the Lord for these many years,” she added.

And, with a family of 22 adults and children, her heritage of faith is evident at First Baptist. Her son John, his wife Karla and their daughter Tiffany Burchett and her husband Mike are involved in the Paintsville congregation, as are numerous nieces and nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews, Carter noted. (WR)