PORTSMOUTH, VA. — It was the moment Pastor Charles W. Beamon and his wife Patricia had worked decades for.
Saturday marked the Portsmouth pastor's retirement celebration after 30 years of serving the community through Fourth Baptist Church.
Jessica Larche wasn't only there to serve as emcee. She was there to celebrate Pastor Beamon as News 3's newest Everyday Hero.
That's because Pastor Beamon's ministry has gone far beyond the walls of the church. He's led efforts to provide school supplies, clothing, food and medical support to families in Portsmouth. He ensured hundreds had hot meals on Thanksgiving, year after year. He spearheaded a food pantry, too.
"Simply means that I've been blessed. God has used me in such a way to be a blessing to others, and that's what ministry is all about. Not so much about preaching, but having a heart for people and a heart for them," Beamon said.
Perhaps his biggest impact came after church member Kim Pender was diagnosed with breast cancer years ago.
"When several of the women at the church got diagnosed, it was just like a wave, but they took action. They made sure we had all the things that we needed for women to get free mammograms. Over 400 women were spared because they got free mammograms, and that's amazing," Pender said.
It takes one hero to know another. Pender was News 3's People Taking Action award winner back in 2019. Kurt Williams celebrated her fundraising efforts to help others beat the disease that threatened to take her own life – a disease that didn't stand a chance, she says, thanks to Pastor and Mrs. Beamon's support.
"It simply means that you love the Lord and because he loved us, he compels us to love others, and that's what we've tried to do for the last 30 years, exactly that," Beamon said when asked what it means to love thy neighbor as you love yourself.
"I love my husband, and he works hard and he loves people," Mrs. Beamon said.
Not only is Pastor Beamon a new News 3 Everyday Hero, but community partner Southern Bank celebrated him with a $425 gift card.
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