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At 99, pastor still hitting home runs for God

Pastor James Lambert behind the pulpit.

By Tracy Farnham | The News Herald

Published: May 1, 2009

MORGANTON - At nearly a century old, James Lambert has seen the creation of automobiles, airplanes and the first tractor. The latter was more important as Lambert worked on his family's farm until the age of 21.
His long life may be attributed to good, clean living. He never drank or smoked, always ate fruits and vegetables and worked hard.
"I just keep going. I don't give up and don't stop or sit down," Lambert said. Being raised on the farm he began working at a young age.
Lambert is a minister and still preaches regularly. He gave his heart to the Lord in 1930, following a revival meeting he attended with Pearl Canup who would later become his wife.
"I was glad to go with her, but I don't know what the preacher preached. He wanted folks to come down and make a commitment, but I didn't move," he said.
Pearl's life spoke volumes to Lambert, and he said he knew she was a Christian and she attended church regularly.
Lambert rode to church on a two-horse wagon with his family during the warm summer months as a child.
During the revival meeting, she asked Lambert to give his heart to the Lord.
"I realized I needed the Lord. Nobody had talked to me one-on-one about the Lord," he said.
After walking her home, Lambert began to pray all alone walking in the woods toward his home.
"I didn't know how to pray or what to say, but I started talking to the Lord. I made a commitment to serve the Lord the rest of my life, and I did and I have," he said.
After marrying Pearl in 1933, he later became a Sunday school teacher and deacon of the church, occasionally filling in for the preacher if he were sick or preaching a revival elsewhere.
"I did this for about 10 years and enjoyed it, but I wasn't really happy. I knew the Lord was calling me full time," he said.
After explaining this to his wife, he said she told him, "If the Lord is calling you to work then you better get to it, you're a little late already."
"She also told me she would go wherever I would go," he added.
His first sermon was given in 1940 when he began running revivals and filling in for other preachers over the next 10 years. Lambert was called to pastor Zion Baptist Church in 1950 where he remained until 1958 when he began his pastorate at Union Grove Baptist in Lenoir. Though he lost his wife in 2004, he has continued his ministry even beyond retirement at age 62 due to health reasons.
"He got sick and retired until he got well again," daughter Doris Fox said. He preached the day I was married and also for our 50th wedding anniversary celebration in 2005, she added.
At 99 years young, Lambert has preached for 69 years. "I feel better preaching than I do at any other time," he said.
When not scheduled to preach, Lambert attends El Bethel where they recently honored him on his birthday with Jimmy Lambert Day.
"Whenever his health allows, he is right here," said Deanna Childres, secretary at El Bethel.
"He fills in whenever someone needs him and that amazes me," Childres said.
She was also surprised that Lambert still drives. His daughter said he only drives close around home though.
"My driver's license expires in 2012 and that's about as long as I'll need them," Lambert said with a laugh.
"I know time is running out, and I think about a better place for us where we're going afterward. How we live over here is going to count when we meet the Lord," Lambert said.
Even though the times have changed, Lambert stressed his message hasn't. "You have to change with the times, but you don't change the word. I try to preach about the times we live in and apply that to the word of God," he said.
"He's down to earth and doesn't sugar coat things. That's what I like about him," Childres said.
Lambert was once good at baseball and occasionally hit home runs. His coach wanted him to try out for professional ball in 1930. God had other plans and Lambert doesn't have any regrets.
"When I see poor sinners get saved, that's a home run for God," he said.
On Sunday he will be preaching at Miller Hill in Lenoir for Senior Citizens Day and has several dates booked through October of this year.
"I have three or four that want me when I turn 100," he said. "If I make it," he added jokingly.