Charles Raymond Coil, Sr.
1929-1994
Charles Coil: Our Beloved President
The second quarter of the 20th century was fraught with many struggles for the people of America. Economic uncertainty brought on by the Wall Street crash of October 1929, followed by the Dust Bowl that hit the mid-west during the next decade, led to universal uncertainty for most of the country. Adding to this, arguably every family in the nation suffered the loss of loved ones through two world wars. It is little wonder that the period is referred to as the Great Depression.
It was within this trying period that the subject of this piece entered the world. Charles Raymond Coil was born in Flint, Genesee County, Michigan, on December 11, 1929. He was the son of Walter Coil (1889-1975) and Fellie Louvenia Cruse Coil (1894-1988). Charles was the youngest of eleven children, seven of whom lived to adulthood. (http://www.ancestry.com.)
Around 1932, the family moved to Arkansas. It was the family's home state, Walter being from Lee County near Memphis and Fellie from up in Craighead County near Brookland, where the family had lived before going north for work. This time they settled at South Fork Township, in Fulton County. This state became Charles' life-long reference of origin, but it wasn't the only place he spent in his formative years. The Depression meant going where the work was, which led the family to several states, like St. Louis, Missouri, Texas, and as far west as Nebraska and California. For a time, he "rode the freights" with his great uncle Zedick, but a hobo's life was no place for a young man with such promise. (Chris Coil, Interviewed by the author. Phone call, (May 15, 2021)
Salem was the seat of Fulton County and a hotbed of restoration revival, due greatly to the influence of Joe H. Blue (1875-1954). (http://www.therestorationmovement.com/_states/arkansas/blue.htm.) However, the Coils were not particularly religious during Charles' youth. When he was around eight, his older brother Walter Jr. (1921-1938), developed a rare form of blood cancer. It was so rare that Doctor Charlie and Doctor Will Mayo came down from Minnesota to weigh in on his case. That young man studied his Bible voraciously, and entirely on his own, realized the need to be baptized to be saved. In bed most all the time, he told his parents, and they offered to bring someone in to sprinkle him. But it would not do in his thinking. He wanted total immersion, like in the Bible. One day, he went to Charles' bedroom and told him he wanted to preach the gospel of Jesus more than anything, but that it was too late for him. However, he said it was not too late for Charles and that he should plan to be a preacher. Walter, Jr. died December 12, 1938, and was laid to rest in Burks Chapel Cemetery not far from their home. He was seventeen. (Coil, "Interviewed.")
Ten years later, during a gospel meeting, Charles put his Lord on in baptism in "a small Arkansas river in August 1948, by Leroy Miller." (Wilma Huffaker, "A Brief Biography Of Charles Coil," TWE, 18:1 (1989): 1.) At the age of eighteen, he was ready to take on the world. He made his way to Bristow, Oklahoma, where his brother lived. There was a local Junior College there where he attended in the spring of 1949. The following fall, he attended Oklahoma A&M (Oklahoma State University). After a year, he went to Harding College.
His experience in Searcy, Arkansas, proved to be developmental in more ways than he thought possible. Harding was a small, remote college in the northeast region of the state. Yet, it had things going for it that made it anything but inferior. For instance, it was expanding. During the post-war years, enrollment was at best a little over 300, but by the 1949-50 session, there were "660 students from 34 states." (James L. Atteberry, The Story Of Harding College, (Searcy, AR: Harding College, 1966): 35.) When Charles arrived, the school was undergoing an expansion program, with several buildings completed and others being built. This growth was due, by in large, to the leadership of its President, Dr. George S. Benson (1898-1991). (https://www.therestorationmovement.com/_states/arkansas/benson.htm.)
An Oklahoman by birth and an alumnus of the college from which Charles had just transferred, Dr. Benson was the driving force of all things Harding. A cursory overview of his life will demonstrate this more fully. He had come to the college as President in 1936, but before this, the Bensons were the first missionaries of churches of Christ to China. Initially, they had enjoyed reasonable success, but the onslaught of communism forced them to Hong Kong for safety. When returning to the U.S. for a short time, he had the opportunity to go to Harding when it was located in Morrilton, Arkansas, to teach missions. At that time, no colleges among the brotherhood institutions were teaching mission courses. (George Benson. Interviewed by Clifton Ganus, Jr. (1969).) After a couple of years, the family returned to China, settling in Canton, where they, along with other missionaries, established the Canton Bible School. In 1936, when the invitation came to become President of Harding College, the decision to do so was because training men and women to evangelize the world would accomplish more than he could ever achieve on his own. (Benson, "Interviewed.") Immediately, the student body and particularly Charles, was impressed by Dr. Benson's international evangelistic focus. In his thinking, Coil "believed a career in government and a major in political science would help him realize his goals of reaching the lost. ("Huffaker, "Biography.") But it was Dr. Benson's focus on evangelism and training young people for it that shifted him into the direction he ultimately took.
When considering the growth among churches of Christ in the middle of the 20th century, one must be impressed to see the outstanding contributions Benson and Harding College gave to the cause of Christ. Jimmy R. Allen (1930-2020) was Charles' college roommate. Allen's preaching filled coliseums around the country in the 1960s and 1970s. Another example, Jule L. Miller (1925-2000), a 1949 graduate, while not a "very effective" preacher, "baptized thirty people during his college years." (Judy Miller, Last Mile Of The Way, (Pasadena, TX: Dawn Publications, 2003): 208.) Later, he would develop the Visualized Bible Study series utilized by personal workers worldwide that led multiplied thousands to Christ. These are just two of many of Benson's preacher boys who went on to do great things for Christ, and Charles Coil was by no means least among them.
While he had already been preaching some for a couple of years, Charles' first full-time work was in 1952 when he moved about 100 miles northeast of Searcy to the small Clay County town of Knobel. Though fully engaged in the work, his ties to Harding were still solid. While there, he met and fell in love with an education major from Lauderdale County, Alabama. Her name was Maye White. Upon her graduation in May of that year, the two were married at her Florence home on "June tenth." (Press Release, "Marriage of Miss Maye White And Charles Coil June Tenth," TFH, (June 26, 1952): 3.) Her sister's husband officiated the wedding, also a preacher, Jack Hazelbaker (1928-1995). "They moved to LaPorte, Indiana, in 1953 to begin work with a church which had about thirty people in attendance."(https://www.ancestry.com.) Meeting in a small hall joined by a tavern, the congregation grew to 150 in number over the next thirteen months. A son, Charles Raymond, Jr., was born during their Indiana stay, October 10, 1953. (Huffaker, "Biography.") While there, Charles had his first opportunity at preaching a gospel meeting. It took place in the home of "a black brother named Anderson," who lived in South Bend. He baptized one person in that 1954 gospel effort. (Huffaker, "Biography.") Later that year, an opportunity arose for the family to return to Maye's Shoals area home north of Florence, Alabama. The Salem church of Christ needed a preacher, and it seemed the best decision to move there. Over the next three years, he ministered at Salem and Mt. Zion, another congregation nearby. A second child, Charlotte Maye, was born there on October 30, 1956.
The family moved to El Dorado, Arkansas, in 1957, where he preached for the College Avenue church of Christ.Entry, ("Coil, Charles Raymond," Preachers of Today, vol. 2, (Nashville: The Gospel Advocate Company, 1959): 83.) During his two-year effort there, he conducted a TV series, "Let The Bible Speak," on KTVE-TV, Channel 10. He reported, "The program appears on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 12:15 P.M." (Charles Coil, GA, 101:1 (1959): 11.) Sharing the preaching with Ed Sanders, the program was viewable in a four-state area, southern Arkansas, northern Louisiana, northeast Texas, and west Mississippi.
In 1959 the family moved to West Memphis, Ark., to begin a six-year effort that proved to be Charles Coil's most extended time in local work. During this period, many reports to brotherhood papers showed great successes in gospel meetings. He reported having preached eight meetings that year with forty-seven baptisms and twenty-nine restorations. (Charles Coil, GA, 102:9 (1960): 140.) The home congregation also grew. Reporting at the end of 1960, he said there had been "fifty-seven baptisms and sixty restorations." (Charles Coil, GA, 103:1 (1961): 11.) The following summer, the church welcomed his old roommate, Jimmy Allen, in for a gospel meeting where "forty-two were baptized, twenty-seven restored, and one placed membership." (Charles Coil, GA, 103:30 (1961): 478.) While there, the family also grew with the birth of a little boy, Christopher, on September 25, 1960, and a little girl, Carole, on May 20, 1964. (Chris Coil, Communication with Author, (May 25, 2021).)
In November 1961, Charles appeared on the 38th Annual Bible Lectures at Harding, where he spoke on "The Challenge of Seeking The Lost At Home." In his speech, he stated, "America is the movingest nation in the world. 200,000 families move every week. In West Memphis, we regard every utility hook-up as a prospect and contact them by letter and personal visit." (Charles Coil, Harding College Bible Lectures 1961, (Austin: Firm Foundation Publishing House, 1961): 106.) The method worked! In September of the following year, he announced that the "church moved into a new 1,000-seat auditorium last Sunday, with five hundred five present." (Charles Coil, GA, 104:37 (1962): 588.) In that same report, he also told of a trip with "Mrs. Coil" to Salmon Arm, British Columbia, Canada, to conduct a Vacation Bible School. They reported an average of 125 in daily attendance, with eight baptisms.
Living in West Memphis allowed Charles to work on a graduate degree. Harding Graduate School was just across the Mississippi River in Memphis, Tennessee. He studied at the feet of W. B. West, Jr. (1907-1994), Jack Lewis (1919-2019), and others. In time, he attained the M.R.E. degree. While attending, segregation was still common, and as yet, no black students attended Harding Graduate School. He became aware that a black brother from West Memphis, Earnest Lane, was interested in attending but was not allowed due to school policy. Charles approached Dean West about this injustice and strongly encouraged the school to change its segregation policies. In the end, Lane became the first black American to attend Harding Grad. (Huffaker, "Biography.")
After six years at West Memphis, he reported to the Firm Foundation, "I will conclude my work with the church at West Memphis, Ark. We moved here in 1959. Since that time, the church has built a new building, appointed six elders, nine deacons, added three men to the mission field, baptized 366, withdrawn from 18, and recorded a total response of over 1200. In the same period, I preached in sixty gospel meetings, which resulted in more than 1,000 responses, of which 371 were baptized. In September, we will move to Florence, Ala. For the next few years, I am scheduled to conduct twenty gospel meetings per year. When not in meetings, I will preach for the good church at Salem, Ala., where Brother Horace Stutts is the minister." (Charles Coil, FF, 82:33 (1965): 522.)
Almost immediately after returning to the Shoals area, demand for the talents of Charles Coil significantly increased, not just for meeting work but for campaign and multi-congregational efforts in larger cities. For instance, a major campaign in "mass evangelism" was held in New England in August 1966. A year in the planning, it culminated in Massachusetts in the Springfield Municipal Auditorium with "Brother Charles Coil" doing the preaching and Leon Sanderson directing the singing. (Article, "New England's Greatest Single Effort Of Evangelism," FF, 83:5 (1966): 74.) That September, brother Coil reported,
A year ago, I left local work in order to give more time to preaching. In the past twelve months, I have preached in twenty meetings, one area-wide training series, several lectureships, and filled thirty Sunday appointments with the church at Salem of Florence, Ala., 185 were baptized, and 515 confessed wrongs. About 100 have been added to the membership at Salem this year. (Charles Coil, GA, 108:39 (1966): 620.)
Similar results continued the following year. In May 1967, under the title, "86 BAPTIZED IN MIDLAND MEETING," the Firm Foundation reported, "We have recently closed a meeting that has been spoken of by many as being the most productive one congregation effort of this century. There were 339 responses to the invitation! This included 86 baptisms, 218 restorations, 25 who were restored and placed membership with the congregation, and 10 who identified themselves with the church. The attendance was exceptional throughout the effort. 11,295 attended the thirteen former preaching services, for an average of 869 per service. 1179 attended a single service, and on the second Sunday of the meeting, there were 182 responses. Due to this remarkable interest, the meeting was extended for three days. During these extra services, there were 60 responses, including 20 baptisms, and the attendance average was 929. It was felt by many who attended that the experiences of this meeting may never be matched in the lifetime of most of us. The preaching for the meeting was superbly done by Charles Coil of Florence, Alabama. Much of the response and attendance could be attributed directly to the power he brings to the pulpit. His lessons were dynamic, inspiring, and refreshing. He preaches Scripture-filled lessons depicting the blackness of sin and the glory of salvation. With all the fire of the old-time evangelists, he is one of the best answers we have seen to the idea that a new Gospel is needed for modern man." (Press Release, "86 BAPTIZED IN MIDLAND MEETING," FF, 84:22 (1967): 348.)
Later that fall, brother Coil returned to West Memphis for a gospel meeting with the results, "170 responded to Christ's invitation. 16 were baptized, 153 restored, and one placed membership." (Danny Cottrell, FF, 84:44 (1967): 706.) These kinds of numbers continued to be reported over the next couple of years. Another extensive campaign was conducted in Buffalo, New York, in 1968. Later in the year, he preached a meeting for the Sunset church in Lubbock, Texas. The preacher there, Harold G. Taylor (1930-2018), reported, "The Sunset Church of Christ recently closed a highly successful meeting. One hundred and one responded to the invitation. Thirty were baptisms. Charles Coil of Florence, Ala., did superlative preaching. The attendance averaged 825 each evening." (Harold G. Taylor, GA, 111:1 (1969): 12.)
In 1969, Harding Graduate School conducted the first annual Alumni Lectures beginning Thursday, April 11th, and ended the following day. The speakers included, "Professor Earl West, Evangelist Charles Coil, President Clifton L. Ganus, Jr., Dr. George S. Benson, and Dean W. B. West, Jr." ( Advertisement, GA, 111:14 (1969): 225. & FF, 86:14 (1969): 218.) The theme was, "The Role Of The Church In Modern America." The concluding address was by Charles Coil, entitled, "The Ecumenical Gospel For A Divided World."
Then, in April 1970, he preached what was said to be a "thrilling meeting" in Midland, Texas. One hundred thirty-seven responses to the invitation were reported, of which 42 were baptisms, and an average of 750 in attendance each evening. (Jack Gray, GA, 112:20 (1970): 318.) A September meeting in Henderson, Texas, brought about 49 responses, "12 of whom were baptized." (Leonard Jennings, FF, 87:40 (1970): 635.) His thrust toward evangelism and the urgency of getting the gospel to the lost continued into the following year. In February, he spoke on the Abilene Christian College Lectures on "Our Guilty Silence." (Advertisement, GA, 112:50 (1970): 798.) Then, in March, he appeared on the Fort Worth Christian College Lectureship addressing the topic "The Wonderful Word For a New Age." (Advertisement, "Fort Worth College Announces Lectures Speakers," FF, 88:6 (1971): 94.) At the end of April, he spoke in Paragould, Arkansas, on the Crowley's Ridge Lectures. His topic was "Scientific Evidence of the Existence of God." (Advertisement, GA, 113:8 (1971): 125.)
These lectureships and gospel meetings kept Coil on the go, yet his heart was much like his great mentor, Dr. George Benson. He knew he could do much more for the lost through educating others to preach. Not long after he moved back to Florence, he and several other preachers in the area dreamed of revitalizing the great work of T. B. Larimore (1843-1929) of nearly a hundred years before when he had opened his Mars Hill College in 1871. (https://www.therestorationmovement.com/_states/california/larimore,tb.htm.) Mars Hill Bible School had begun on the same campus as the old school in 1947, but it was a twelve-grade program. Something was needed to train preachers. So, a committee was formed under the oversight of the Board of Directors of Mars Hill Bible School consisting of "Lawrence Williams, Drake Macon, Charles Coil, Lamar Plunkett, Robert Willis, Barry Anderson, and Albert Hill." (Albert Hill, "T. B. Larimore School of Evangelists," GA, 107:47 (1965): 761.) Four weekly classes began on the campus on January 6, 1966. Free to any student, instructors were local preachers, with guest speakers like Gus Nichols (1892-1975) and others coming in to lecture from time to time.
Then, in June 1968, the announcement was made of a new college established under the presidency of Malcolm Hill (1934-2012). It was to begin in January 1969, under the designation Southeastern Institute of the Bible. A "Businessmen's Advisory Board" and a "Preacher's Advisory Board" were selected. Chairing the preacher's board was Charles Coil. Albert Hill (1936-2001) reported that the faculty consisted of "Malcolm Hill, President, Charles Coil, Bob Bryson, Lamar Plunket, Barry Anderson, A. R. Hill, and Albert Hill." (Albert Hill, "Southeastern Institute of the Bible," GA, 110:24 (1968): 375.)
Initially, it was called Southeastern College of the Bible. By the fall 1969 semester, there was "a record enrollment of forty-five students." Located on Rose Drive, the facility was 11,520 square feet, with office spaces, three classrooms, and an auditorium that would seat 400. Plans were also set for a spring lectureship to take place on the campus the following April. (Malcolm Hill, "Southeastern College of the Bible," GA, 111:49 (1969): 785.)
At the end of the 1970,71 sessions, a press release appeared in June with the following, "Charles Coil has been named President of Southeastern College of the Bible located at Florence, Alabama, according to an announcement by Vestal Shipman who is Board Chairman of the school." (Press Release, "Charles Coil Named President of Southeastern Bible College," FF, 88:24 (1971): 378. Note: a similar announcement appeared in the GA, 113:22 (1971): 349.) Then, in October, President Coil announced, "At a recent meeting of the board of directors of Southeastern College of the Bible, it was decided to change the name of the Florence school to International Bible College." (Charles Coil, "International Bible College," GA, 113:40 (1971): 637.) In the brief article, he explained that there was a much older school in Birmingham, Alabama, with the same name. Also, some graduates were already serving as missionaries in other countries. He further noted, "The aim of the college is to train men and women to be workers for the Lord and develop an international view." (Coil, "International.")
By the first of 1972, another school in North Alabama closed its doors to merge with IBC. The Huntsville Bible School was also a preacher training school conducted on the premises and under the oversight of the Lincoln church of Christ. Also, an excellent addition to the faculty was Basil Overton (1925-2013) as "professor of Bible and Christian Apologetics." (Press Release, "Two Colleges Merge," FF, 89:1 (1972): 13.) In tandem with his arrival, he began editing a new paper, The World Evangelist. The inaugural edition appeared in August 1972 with a front-page article by Charles Coil entitled, "Evangelistic Urgency and the Night of Death." (Charles Coil, "Evangelistic Urgency And The Night Of Death," TWE, 1:1 (1972): 1.) Brother Overton served many years as Vice-President of the college.
Charles Coil's evangelistic fervor mixed well with the student body. One week each semester began to be set aside for campaigns, with students and faculty members heading in different directions to host door-knocking and preaching efforts in other states. In the summers, state-side and even international campaigns were possible. For instance, a summer city-wide Bible campaign took place in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, on June 18-23, 1973, with workers from Florence, Alabama and Fort Worth, Texas, door-knocking the city. Each evening the 5,000 seat Hestand Stadium was filled to hear the preaching of Charles Coil, with song-leading by Leon Sanderson. (Jack Lawyer, "Campaign," GA, 114:42 (1972): 667.) A similar campaign was set as a tri-county effort around Edmonton, Kentucky, in July of that year, to be held at the Metcalfe County High School Gymnasium, again with Charles Coil doing the preaching. (Press Release, "Kentucky, Campaign For Christ," FF, 90:17 (1973): 11. ) Upon its completion, Charles flew to Frankfort, Germany, to be a part of a European Lectureship. The speakers included "Dieter Balzat (Germany), Charles Coil (Alabama), Clyde Findlay (Tennessee), Otis Gatewood (Vienna), Billy Moore (Ohio), Joe Nisbet (North Ireland), Harold Paden (Italy), Don Swinney (Germany), Bob Wilkerson (Vienna)." (Press Release, "European Lectureship, July 22-26, 1973," GA, 115:26 (1973): 417.) Before the end of the summer, another campaign took place in Amarillo, Texas, where brother Coil's preaching led to "81 baptisms and 160 plus restorations." (Rod Tate, "Rod's Report," TWE, 2:1 (1973): 7.)
In the early spring of 1974, the college conducted several soul-saving workshops around the city of Florence with a focus on various areas of church work. On March 1-3, particular themes were studied at the Darby Drive, Sherrod Ave., and Mars Hill congregations. Also, a workshop on "Soul-Saving and Bus Ministry" was conducted on the college campus. (Press Release, "IBC Workshop," TWE, 2:7 (1974): 6.) In September, the Coils made their way to Earlestown, England, for a campaign. (Charles Coil, "Coil Evangelized In England," TWE, 3:4 (1974): 7.) Joining them in the effort were local evangelist H. B. Frank and missionaries to Wembley, England, Wayne and Brenda Kilpatrick. Wayne had graduated from IBC the previous May. Having been stationed in England while in the military in the 1960s, he had determined to return to evangelize in the British Isles. His love and knowledge of history afforded the Coils a "guided tour" of many places of historical value in southern England, like Salisbury Cathedral, Stonehenge, and Oxford University, to name a few. Coil fondly recalled his trip to England over the years, saying he was so impressed with Wayne's knowledge of history that he was sure he must have been making it up as he went. Later, the Kilpatricks moved back to Florence, where Wayne was invited to join the IBC faculty as a history professor.
By the mid-70s, area workshops were a growing phenomenon bringing in thousands at various arenas around the country. In Tulsa, Oklahoma, Alan Bryan (1926-2006) organized what came to be known as the Tulsa Workshop in March of 1976, with expected crowds of 15,000 daily. On the schedule were familiar names like Jimmy Allen, Marvin Phillips, Charles Coil, and many others. (Advertisement, "First Annual International Soul-Winning Workshop," FF, 93:7 (1976): 13[109].) Charles appeared in another workshop the following month in Dallas, Texas. (Advertisement, "Workshop Slated For Dallas In April," FF, 93:9 (1976): 11[139].) Then, in August, over 1500 young people from seven states and Canada converged on Denver City, Colorado, where "the evening keynote address was presented by Charles Coil." (Press Release, "Teenage Christian Conference," GA, 118:38 (1976): 603.)
The College church of Christ was established on the Rose Drive campus on January 25, 1976, with about 50 in attendance. Preaching for the congregation were Charles Coil, Basil Overton, James Long, and Ron Brotherton. (James Long, "New Congregation," TWE, 4:8 (1976): 19.) Soon brother Coil would serve with James Long and others as elders. When International Bible College moved to a new campus on Helton Drive in North Florence at the beginning of 1978, the congregation was transplanted and met in the newly constructed auditorium. (Advertisement, TWE, 6:7 (1987): 5.) The church grew in number each year. In 1979 the Firm Foundation, reporting on the churches of Christ in America with one hundred or more baptisms in the past year, included the College Church with 141. (Report, "These Churches Baptized More Than 100 Persons In 1979," FF, 95:9 (1979): 14[174].)
Recognition came in 1981. At a special ceremony in February, Coil received a plaque in honor of a successful decade at the helm of his much-loved institution. It read, "In grateful appreciation to our beloved president, Charles Coil, for ten years of your life given to the ministry of training soul winners at International Bible College." (David R. Short, "Charles Coil Honored," GA, 123:8 (1981): 247.) Then on April 21, at an Alumni Luncheon in Memphis, he was "named 1981 Alumnus of the Year by the Harding Graduate School of Religion." (Press Release, "Coil—Alumnus of the Year," GA, 123:11 (1981): 348.) Then on May 8, 1982, he was called to Henderson, Tennessee, where Freed-Hardeman College President E. Claude Gardner (1925-2017) conferred upon brother Coil the Doctor of Laws Degree. (Press Release, "Charles Coil Received Doctorate," TWE, 10:10 (1982): 3.) Six years later, while visiting his dear Harding University campus in Searcy, Arkansas, he was named Alumnus of the Year for 1989. (Basil Overton, "Charles Coil And Others Honored," TWE, 18:6 (1990): 3.)
All through the 1980s, Charles continued to be called upon to appear on lectureships and forums of various kinds. He was always working to promote the gospel in any way he could. On June 1, 1989, he entered Methodist Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, where one of his kidneys was removed because inside it was a malignant tumor. The doctors felt the cancer was contained and were optimistic about recovery. (Basil Overton, "Charles Coil's Surgery," TWE, 17:12 (1989): 1.) In November, the Gospel Advocate published a press release from IBC entitled, "Jones Succeeds Coil." Dennis Jones, a former student and later Vice-President of the college, was to succeed brother Coil as President of the college beginning in January 1990. (Press Release, "Jones Succeeds Coil," GA, 131:11 (1989): 37.) Brother Coil had served as President for 19 years and became Chancellor of the college.
In February, the Coils were honored at the Ramada Convention Center in Florence, with over 300 guests. In addition to the Coil's children, several college and university presidents and dearest friends, like Harding University Chancellor Clifton Ganus, Harding University President David Burk, Dr. W.B. West, and Dr. Jack Lewis from Harding Graduate School. Several other college and university presidents in Alabama were also in attendance. Basil and Margie Overton presented the Coils with a flag that had flown on top of the U.S. Capitol with a congratulatory letter from the hand of then-President George Bush. "Eddie Frost, Mayor of Florence, presented Coil with a Proclamation from the City of Florence recognizing Coil's "Out-standing Dedication and Service in Christian Education." Mrs. Coil was presented with a "Key to the City of Florence" by Mayor Frost." (Press Release, "The Coils Were Honored," TWE, 18:9 (1990): 3.) It was an evening never to be forgotten.
He continued promoting IBC in his new role as chancellor. However, his health was continuing to be a concern. By this point, he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. Then, on July 21, 1991, he underwent triple-bypass heart surgery but healed enough to return to a reasonable point of health and activity. (Basil Overton, "Charles Coil Recuperating," TWE, 20:3 (1991): 1.)
On September 24, 1992, brother Coil spoke on the 21st annual IBC workshop on "Two Golden Decades at IBC." (Advertisement, TWE, 21:2 (1992): 12.) Later in the fall, he preached on the Faulkner University Lectures in Montgomery. (Advertisement, "Faulkner University Lectures," FF, 108:8 (1993): 21.)
In January 1994, he came to realize that his cancer had returned. He spent nearly five months at M.D. Anderson Medical Center in Houston, Texas, but to no avail. On the following December 1st, while at his Indian Camp Creek home, Charles Coil slipped quietly into eternity. A large and deeply emotional funeral was conducted on the college campus two days later, and burial followed in the cemetery at Mt. Zion church of Christ near Florence.
How does one sum up the man? Perhaps, the answer can be explained by the personal experience of the writer. The day I visited the campus of what is now Heritage Christian University for the first time, just a few days before the beginning of the 1986 spring semester, I entered the main auditorium, and there above the stage were the words, "Into All The World By The Year 2000." It was a message I saw and contemplated daily for the next 3 1/2 years. Immediately after graduation, my family left for the mission field of New Zealand. To this writer and former student, these words encapsulate the life and mission of the man. Once, he was asked what he would say if the date came and it hadn't happened. His response was, "We will be better for having tried it." (Dennis Jones, "Charles Coil: A Life, A Legacy," WE, 24:5 (1995): 3.)
In 1983, brother Coil preached on the Harding Lectureship on "Heaven: The Home Of The Soul." During the lesson, he was speaking about the beauty of heaven. In his most illustrative, "Coil-esk" way, he went into great detail about the beauty of this earth and all the things in it and contrasted it to the incomparable beauty of heaven. One illustration he used was from his mission trip to England in 1974. Recalling his time with Wayne and Brenda Kilpatrick at the Tower of London, he spoke of the horror of its past and those who died there. Then entering the vault, in great detail, he described the beauty of England's crown jewels in the sparkling light and how that before he left, he spoke with one of the guards asking him how much those jewels were worth. The guard responded, "They are priceless." As they parted the old castle, they walked awhile, saying nothing. Thinking of all they had just witnessed, he turned to his most capable guide and said,
Wayne, there are two things I think of. Number 1, the raggedest little boy in London, is worth more than those jewels. And, I had been preaching up in North England, and I saw forty young people come out in the driving rainstorm on a Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Young people from about twelve to eighteen years of age. And a sweet little girl by the name of Deborah, about eleven or twelve years of age, sat on the front row and looked me right in the eye, and every time I'd preach, she was right there looking at me, with those deep brown eyes, and you could see the reflected intelligence there. I marveled at the way that all of them sang the little songs that they were singing together, a field of young people. And, I never did know Deborah's last name, but I . . .her. . .her eyes. . .and her face rather haunt me, because England is filled with children like that; so few people to go to tell the story. So little hope, so little opportunity for young people like this. And I got to thinking about Deborah, and Deborah is worth a million times more than all those crown jewels. (Charles Coil, "Heaven: Home of the Soul," Harding University Lectures (1983): Audio.)
Only eternity will reveal the untold myriad of souls who will walk the "street of gold" because of the vision for the lost, the magnanimous Christian personality, the illustrative preaching, and the host of those influenced by Charles Coil.
Bibliography
Atteberry, James L., The Story Of Harding College, (Searcy, AR: Harding College, 1966): 35.
Benson, George. Interviewed by Clifton Ganus, Jr. (1969).
Coil, Charles, Harding College Bible Lectures 1961, (Austin: Firm Foundation Publishing House, 1961): 106.
Coil, Charles, "Heaven: Home of the Soul," Harding University Lectures (1983): Audio.
Coil, Chris, Communication with Author, (May 25, 2021).
Coil, Chris, Interviewed by the Author, Phone call, (May 15, 2021).
Firm Foundation, Austin: The Firm Foundation Company, (Numerous Citings)
Gospel Advocate, Nashville: The Gospel Advocate Company, (Numerous Citings)
Huffaker, Wilma, "A Brief Biography Of Charles Coil," The World Evangelist, 18:1 (1989): 1.
Miller, Judy, Last Mile Of The Way, (Pasadena, TX: Dawn Publications, 2003): 208.
Preachers of Today, vol. 2, (Nashville: The Gospel Advocate Company, 1959): 83.
Press Release, "Marriage of Miss Maye White And Charles Coil June Tenth," The Florence Herald, (June 26, 1952): 3.
The World Evangelist, Florence: The World Evangelist (Numerous Citings)
-Scott Harp, 05.28.2021. This article was written and contributed to the Heritage Christian University Press, in partial fulfillment of an inaugural festschrift entitled, "Things Most Surely Believed: Essays In Honor Of Charlie Wayne Kilpatrick."
Obituary
Appearing In December, 1994
The World Evangelist
Charles was born in Flint, Michigan December 11, 1929 to Walter and Fellie Coil. He grew up in a rural area near Salem, Arkansas. He became a Christian in 1948 when he trusted in the Lord and LeRoy Miller baptized him into Christ. (Romans 6:33; Galatians 3:27.)
Charles is survived by his wife of 42 years who was the former Maye White; two sons, Charles Coil, Jr. of Bentonville, Arkansas, Christopher Coil of Elkton, Kentucky; and two daughters, Mrs. Charlotte Martin of Waco, Texas and Mrs. Carole Medley of Montgomery, Alabama; four granddaughters,Shelley and Stephanie Coil, and Christine and Jamie Martin; two sisters, Mrs. Mamie Cunningham, of Mesquite, Texas, and Mrs. Mary Harrell of Denver City, Texas, two brothers, Delbert Coil of Bristow, Oklahoma and Elden Coil of Salem, Arkansas, and a number of nieces and nephews.
Maye Coil stood by her stricken husband loyally and faithfully through his long struggle. Her model example of faith and courage is a far reaching influence for good.
The children of Charles and Maye live in four cities. Charles, Jr. and his, wife Paula and their two daughters live in Bentonville, Arkansas where he preaches for the Bentonville Church of Christ. Charlotte and her husband, Jim Martin and their two daughters live in Waco, Texas where Jim preaches for the Crestview Church of Christ. Christopher and his wife Lisa live in Elkton, Kentucky, where he preaches for the Westside Church of Christ. Carole and her husband Keith Medley live in Montgomery, Alabama where both work for Faulkner University and are active in the church.
Charles
R. Coil, was well educated. He attended Oklahoma State University. He
received a B.A. degree from Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas, and an
M.R.E. degree from Harding University Graduate School of Religion in
Memphis, Tennessee. Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tennessee
conferred on him a Doctor of Laws
degree in 1982. His most profitable educational experiences were not his
many formal classroom endeavors, but instead his
being reared by godly parents in humble circumstances of hardship
and toil, his many experiences in the arena of daily living, his more than
forty years of evangelism, and his work as a Christian educator and a
leader in training others to evangelize.
Among brother Coil's many honors are his selection as "Alumnus of the Year" in 1981 by Harding University Graduate School of Religion, Memphis, Tennessee, and as "Alumnus of the Year" in 1989 by Harding University, Searcy, Arkansas.
Brother Coil became the founding president of International Bible College in 1971 and served in that capacity for 19 years. He resigned as president and became Chancellor of the college January 1, 1990. Dennis Jones, a graduate of IBC succeeded Charles as president. President Jones said, "I can't say enough good things about someone who was as gracious a Christian as brother Coil. He was loved by the staff and students here, reared a fine family with his wife Maye, and touched more lives than many of us ever will. His influence reached around the world, and it wasn't unusual for people to speak about how their lives were positively influenced by him. His wisdom and gentlemanly spirit will be sorely missed by all of us here."
Charles began his preaching career in Bristow, Oklahoma in 1950. He was a faithful and able evangelist for Jesus Christ. Besides preaching regularly for several congregations, for many years he did full time gospel meeting work and preached in several hundred of series of meetings.
The funeral service for Charles
was conducted at International Bible College on December 3, 1994. A large
crowd attended. Congregational singing of seven songs of praise to the
Lord was directed by Leon Sanderson and Ron Craft. Messages of comfort,
hope and encouragement were presented by Leon Sanderson, Jimmy Moffett,
Marlin Ivey, Jimmy Allen, Harold Taylor, and me.
I worked closely with Charles at International Bible College over 20 years. He was one of the best and most trusted friends I have ever had. I love him dearly, and I am confident he died in the Lord.
"And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth, yea saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, and their works do follow them." (Revelation 14:13.)
I am also confident that our blessed Master is taking really good care of Charles.
Note:The above article was written by Basil Overton for the December, 1994 issue, Volume 23, No.5, of The World Evangelist, appearing on pages 1, 19. Pictures above were first published in the 1987 Annual of International Bible College. The college became Heritage Christian University in August, 2000.
Sermons By Charles Coil
Click On Icon Above To Download Your Free Copy of Real player
For God So Loved
The World (52:44 Minutes; Gospel Meeting, Florence,
Alabama, Late 1970's)
Heaven: Home Of The Soul
(42:40 Minutes; Harding University Lectures, 1983)
Location Of The Grave Of Charles Coil
Charles Coil is buried near Florence, Alabama. From Hwy 72 turn right on Cox Creek Parkway (Hwy 133). Go a couple miles and turn right on Old Jackson Hwy (County Rd. 47). Go about two miles and you will come into St. Florien community. In St. Florien bear left on County Road 61 (Butler Creek Rd.) toward Mt. Zion Church of Christ. The church is on the right. Coil is buried in the cemetery behind. The main part of the cemetery is behind and to the right of the church building. Coil's grave is behind the building and to the left, away from most of the other graves in the cemetery. Walk straight back to the cemetery and look far to your left. Coil's grave is in front of an old tree.GPS Coordinates
N34˚55.420º x
W87˚37.746º
or D.d. 34.923738,-87.629108
Accuracy to 23ft
Grave Faces West
Mt. Zion Church of Christ - Cemetery Behind
Building
Coil's Plot Next To
Hazelbaker Plot
