Other Leadership Positions: Internationally recognized as a pioneer in the Charismatic Movement, he traveled worldwide as a Bible teacher, author, and church planter. He served on the Board of Directors for New Wine Magazine, One-to-One Magazine, Integrity Media, International Outreach Ministries, CSM Publishing, and other ministries. He was featured on his nationwide radio broadcast and numerous television broadcasts. He authored many books and served as editor and contributor for a number of publications. He served as pastor a Baptist Church in Mobile for 14 years.
Personal: Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, his father was also a pastor. Brother Charles was ordained into Gospel Ministry in 1955 and graduated from William Carey College. He attended New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and in 1988 received an honorary doctorate from the American Center for Theological Studies. He was baptized in the Holy Spirit in 1964 and became closely connected with leaders in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal.
Family: He married Carolyn Francis Dix in 1960, and they were married for more than 47 years, until her passing in 2008. Pastor Charles is survived by his children Rev. Stephen Simpson (Susanne), Charlyn Simpson Mejia (Enrique), and Jonathan Simpson (Sarah), as well as nine grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, his sister-in-law, Mikki Simpson, two nieces, and three nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn, as well as his parents, sister, brother, niece, and in-laws.
Our Tribute to Rev. Charles Simpson
There is that time when the Lord brings to our lives a person far different from our spiritual roots to show us a side of Christ we wouldn’t otherwise know. Brother Charles Simpson, a Southern Baptist, was such a man, nay, such a gift to The Ark and The Dove. Charles came “heaven sent” to our Catholic world.
Simply put, it was the Holy Spirit that united us. He was baptized in the Holy Spirit in 1964 only to find that this spiritual experience was unacceptable to the leaders of his denomination. However, he was welcomed among Catholics in his native Mobile, Alabama who were eager to hear his remarkable story.
After the “Duquesne Weekend,” in 1967 as the fire of the Holy Spirit spread throughout our world, Charles found spiritually hungry people he could readily identify with, especially among many of the major leaders in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal.
In 1977 when Cardinal Joseph Suenens invited Ralph Martin, Steve Clark and others to the Vatican to meet Pope Paul VI, Charles and some other ecumenical leaders were invited to join them. Joking about it afterward, he was heard to say, “I think I finally made it to the top and it’s the wrong group!” He couldn’t have been better received in this ecclesial setting.
As the years progressed, Brother Charles’ relationship with Catholics continued to grow. He was a keynote speaker at our National Service Committee Leader’s Conference in Virginia in 2015. Later that year we purchased The Ark and The Dove. In 2019, when we decided to have an ecumenical representative on our board, it was only natural that we would invite Charles to join us. He graciously accepted.
Charles served on other boards as well, but because of the time commitments he resigned from them, but continued with us to our great benefit. He came not only with his exceptional practical wisdom, but also with his deep respect for the Church and his many Catholic friends.
He understood us and our vision and mission. He was comfortable in our company and was quite an asset to our board. His presence kept us focused on our DNA as a Spirit-filled ministry. His experience and Godly wisdom were invaluable. Charles enhanced our unity and empowered our work at the Ark and the Dove. His contribution to our efforts will be greatly missed.
