Pastor Profiles: Charles Fryer, preaching the word of enlightenment
For The Madera Tribune
Charles Fryer was appointed to be the pastor of Hull Avenue Church of God in Christ on Jan. 17, 2009. Fryer received his Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree and his Doctorate in Theology from Mt. Carnel Theological Seminary in Fresno.
Pastor Charles Fryer was born in New York, and he and his wife, Cynthia were both raised in the city of Madera. They attended Sierra Vista Elementary School, Thomas Jefferson Junior High School and Madera Union High School.
Fryer was appointed to be the pastor of Hull Avenue Church of God in Christ on Jan. 17, 2009. He had attended Hull Avenue Church from the time that he was a small child. He grew up in the Sunday School, Sunshine Band, and in the Young People Willing Workers organizations, where he received his foundation and introduction to Christ.
After graduating from high school, he served in the U.S. Air Force, attended college and walked away from his training and his first love of Christ. Through the years, he lost his way, fell into a life of drugs and even had problems with the law. Through his years of trials, Fryer recalled the Word that was placed down on the inside of him at Hull Avenue Church.
He eventually came back to the Lord, the church and to the praying Saints of the church.
God delivered him and brought him out! He often tells the story of the night of his release from jail, and how he walked straight to the Hull Avenue Church, falling on his knees and accepting Christ back into his heart once again!
Praise God that he has not looked back.
He began to play the organ for the church, and since that time he became a Sunday School teacher. He went on to become an ordained minister, to an ordained Elder, to the Assistant Pastor and, later, to become the Pastor of the Hull Avenue Church.
He is a former Madera Ministerial Association member. He has held the position of the Regional Evangelist President for the California Northwest Jurisdiction for 13 years.
Fryer received his Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree and his Doctorate in Theology from Mt. Carnel Theological Seminary in Fresno, CA. He served as the Deputy Sheriff Chaplain of Madera County for 13 years and has also served as the Madera Community Hospital Chaplain and Chaplain Instructor for more than 3 years.
Fryer loves to sing (“Make a Joyful Noise”), play musical instruments (self-taught) and he is known for his friendly outgoing personality. It is often said, “he’s never met a stranger.”
Fryer is a true servant in the Madera Community. He never fails to go wherever there is a need. He visits the sick and the shut-in.
There is never a ministry too big or too small. Pastor Fryer knows that he is called to answer them all.
