“If you’re not saved, get saved,” advised Keith Stewart. “Jesus is the only hope we have in this world.”
Keith Stewart has always enjoyed living a humble life, and he knows how important God is for him each day.
Growing up, he enjoyed playing sports and played ball all through high school.
“When I was growing up, I loved to play baseball,” Keith reminisced. “We had a summer league, and I played for Long Creek Ball Field. I was the catcher. I can remember being the hind catcher because I didn’t have a glove, and the ball team provided the hind catcher’s mitt for you. I became a catcher as a peewee player in the summer leagues and went all the way through high school being a catcher.”
He was always a hard worker, and he found a job as soon as he graduated high school.
“I got out of school in 1978, and in October of that year I started to work for UPS as a part time worker,” recalled Keith. “I had some other full time jobs at different places. I’d work eight hours at one place and then go to UPS and started work at 5:00 and would go until 10:00.”
Although he was only part time with UPS at first, he eventually took on a full time position with the company and loved his job working for them until he retired.
“I worked with UPS for four years as a part timer, and then when I turned 21 I went full time and drove,” remembered Keith. “I worked for UPS for 38 years. I delivered to the Quitman area for probably 15 years. I made a lot of friends and met a lot of good people that I called a friend and still see all the time. UPS has always provided a good living for me, and the Lord has been very good to me and my wife with it.”
While he loved his job with UPS, it isn’t the only job he has held over the years. In the early 2000s, Keith felt the Lord calling him to the ministry. He diligently answered the call and has been serving in the same church every since.
“In 2006, the Lord called me to preach. In 2008, I became the pastor out at Hephzibah Baptist Church,” explained Keith. “I’m still there, and it’s been 14 years. We have a good little church, and I love everybody there.”
His ministering isn’t limited to only preaching. Keith also volunteers and uses some of his free time to minister to others in another way as well. He assists with the ramp ministry and is able to demonstrate Christ’s love for others through his actions as well as his words.
“About five years ago, I got involved in the ramp ministry and started working on it here in Clarke County,” expressed Keith. “After Mr. Jim retired from the ramp ministry after being over it for about 20 years, I’ve taken his place being over it here in Clarke County. Most people don’t know that we have so many people here in Clarke County that can’t get out of their homes unless they have a ramp. At least, they can get out, but somebody has to go over and help them by rolling or carrying them out. The ramp is just a tremendous blessing for them to get in and out of their home, especially if they’re in a wheelchair. It’s a blessing for them, and I’m glad to be a part of that.”
He may be retired from UPS, but he enjoys being able to participate in the ministry and enjoys being able to see people come to know the Lord.
“I don’t have like a regular job now that I’m retired,” stated Keith. “I just enjoy people and getting out and talking with them and telling them about Jesus. I enjoy watching folks get saved. Man, I like it.”
Keith has also started volunteering with his local fire department as a way to assist others in need.
“I just started last year with the East Quitman Fire Department,” said Keith. “I’ve not been to any major fires, but we’ve been to a bunch of little fires and different stuff going on. I enjoy doing that.”
Over the years, he has also found something else that he highly values: family. He doesn’t take his family for granted and understands that a marriage is much more than just a feeling of love. Through his own experience being with the love of his life, he knows that love and any relationship worth having is a conscious decision and not simply a feeling of butterflies around a person.
“I’ve been happily married for over 40 years to my wife, Recee Stewart,” declared Keith. “I love her. I tell young couples before they get married that love is not really the little giggly feeling they get when they see each other. Love is a commitment. I’ve been married a long time, and there will come a time when you’re going to be mad at your spouse. You may not have that giggly feeling then, but you can have that commitment. No matter how mad you get, you can still disagree and with each other and agree to still love each other and stay together. Love is not a feeling, but it’s a commitment to your spouse and God.”
On the occasions where he is able to have some free time, there are different things that Keith enjoys doing.
“I love to fish. I go fishing any time I can get the chance. I love to deer hunt. I’m in a deer club down in Carmichael and love to go deer hunting,” informed Keith. “I have a little woodshop at my house and like to make little bird houses, tool boxes, and little wood whatnots and stuff. I just picked up on that after I retired from UPS and really enjoy going out there and spending a few hours building a few things. I don’t make anything immaculate, but I really enjoy building things.”
No matter what he does, Keith maintains an optimistic attitude and does everything he can to show the love of Christ through his actions. He demonstrates compassion for others in everything he does and will continue to bless those around him as he fulfills his calling.
If you would like to nominate someone for Person of the Week, contact Brittney Mangum at 601-776-3726.
