Ruby Russell and Brandon Brewer, both 2, play outside Concord Church on their grandpa’s grave during the Wolfe Family Reunion. James and his wife Carolyn normally attended Concord Church, where James grew up. In 1977 they attended a revival held by Joe and Bernice Beasley. The couples and their children became fast friends, despite the Beasley’s travel schedule. During the 1990s, James began preaching at Concord Church and they gradually lost touch with the Beasleys.
Carolyn walks down to check the church's mail after service on Sunday. In 2007 James passed away after a long battle with cancer and the Wolfe's friend Sam began preaching at the church.
Joe Beasley pours a cup of coffee. While Carolyn was still mourning for James, Joe had decided to call a friend from Ohio to tell him that his wife Bernice had passed away. Joe's friend shared what had happened to James, and the two widowers began talking every night.
Carolyn and Joe make lunch after church. One night after speaking to Carolyn, Joe couldn’t sleep or get Carolyn off his mind. He asked God if he had fallen in love with Carolyn. “I asked him if it was ok and he said, ‘yes,’” explained Joe. The next day Joe asked Carolyn for her hand in marriage.
Carolyn shows invitations from Joe and her wedding. Although they had both been married before, Carolyn never had a wedding and Joe and Bernice only had a small one. After the wedding they moved to Texas because Joe had a job assistant pastoring there, but Carolyn was not able to sell her house in Athens, Ohio.
Carolyn and Joe watch football on Sunday afternoon. Both the Redskins, Joe’s favorite team, and the Browns, Carolyn’s favorite team, were on different channels. God eventually directed Joe to preach at Faith Harvest Church in Coolville, Ohio for four weeks, so he and Carolyn came for a visit. They assumed God wanted them there because their pastor had passed away.
Joe preaches at Faith Harvest Church in Coolville, Ohio. God woke Joe in the middle of the night and told him, “it is my perfect will for you to pastor Faith Harvest Church if they’ll let you.” Joe spoke to a board member and they quickly decided to make him pastor. The couple moved to the home Carolyn was unable to sell in Athens.
Carolyn leads a prayer at Concord Church on Sunday morning. After returning to Athens, a member of Concord Church asked Carolyn about preaching again. Now Carolyn preaches at Concord Church on Sunday mornings, but usually goes to the evening services with Joe at Faith Harvest Church and sings with the band.
Joe and Carolyn read the paper on Sunday while they wait for their lunch to finish cooking. Although they preach at different churches on Sunday, they have lunch together if possible.
Carolyn laughs while her granddaughter plays the recorder and Joe and her son play guitars at the annual Wolfe Family Reunion at Concord Church.