Reverend Charles Betts
Raised on bluegrass music, Charles developed a love for music at a very early age. He picked up his first guitar at age 5 and by the time he was introduced to the Apostolic truth, at age 14, he knew music was going to be a permanent part of his life. Baptized, along with his mother and younger sister, in a revival in early 1981, and received the gift of the Holy Ghost at the Ohio Apostolic Campground in July of that same year, he decided to commit his life to the ministry of the church. In 1989, he married Sheryl Russell. This was the beginning of some beautiful music. Having come from a musically-talented family, Sheryl fit perfectly with Charles as they began to sing almost every other week in the local church in Ironton, Ohio. Since then, they have had three children, three grandsons, Elijah , Jakob, Jonah and a granddaughter London! He and Sheryl are now back to singing as a duet.
A living, breathing, walking, talking miracle! Charles was involved in a near-fatal car accident in June of 2009. He was in a coma for two weeks. He had a full tracheotomy to help him breathe. He was being fed through a feeding tube. When he finally came out of the coma, he could not move his right leg and his right shoulder and arm sustained considerable damage that required extensive surgery to repair. After three weeks in the hospital, the first miracle took place. Charles wanted the tracheotomy to be removed. The doctor said it would take weeks to step down this size in order to take it completely out. After two days, and constant pressure from Charles, the doctor looked at his neck and said he could remove it. He stated, "This is a God thing. This does not normally happen!" He took the tracheotomy out on a Friday and by Monday, Charles was talking and eating on his own. The next miracle took place a couple of weeks later. The doctors were planning to try and release Charles for rehab at home by the end of August. After much prayer and work, Charles was released from the hospital on July 31st (a full month early!). It's been seven years removed from the accident and Charles continues to recuperate from the accident. This has not deterred him from getting back to what he loves best, singing gospel music and preaching the gospel. He now, though, has a greater appreciation for what he does. It's what drives him!
A living, breathing, walking, talking miracle! Charles was involved in a near-fatal car accident in June of 2009. He was in a coma for two weeks. He had a full tracheotomy to help him breathe. He was being fed through a feeding tube. When he finally came out of the coma, he could not move his right leg and his right shoulder and arm sustained considerable damage that required extensive surgery to repair. After three weeks in the hospital, the first miracle took place. Charles wanted the tracheotomy to be removed. The doctor said it would take weeks to step down this size in order to take it completely out. After two days, and constant pressure from Charles, the doctor looked at his neck and said he could remove it. He stated, "This is a God thing. This does not normally happen!" He took the tracheotomy out on a Friday and by Monday, Charles was talking and eating on his own. The next miracle took place a couple of weeks later. The doctors were planning to try and release Charles for rehab at home by the end of August. After much prayer and work, Charles was released from the hospital on July 31st (a full month early!). It's been seven years removed from the accident and Charles continues to recuperate from the accident. This has not deterred him from getting back to what he loves best, singing gospel music and preaching the gospel. He now, though, has a greater appreciation for what he does. It's what drives him!
Sheryl (Russell) Betts
Born in Lambertville, Michigan and raised there until the age of nine, Sheryl and her family attended the First Apostolic Church in Toledo, Ohio (then pastored by Elder Fred Kenzie - now pastored by Kris Dillingham). She was baptized there and received the Holy Ghost at Calvary Apostolic Lighthouse in Wurtland, KY (where they had recently relocated).
Sheryl was the third of four Russell children. Her father a preacher and very active in the church, Sheryl was always asked to sing. She has spent her life being used by God in worship and singing.
When she was 16 her father was diagnosed with colon cancer. At age 54, he passed away, having instilled in his children this Apostolic heritage. Sheryl's mother, Linda, is 71 and still going strong.
Having experienced the death of her father, Sheryl decided to recommit herself to the work of God. She made up in her mind that she was going to instill that same heritage, she received, into her children.
She married Charles in 1989 at Greater Faith Apostolic Church (then known as the Apostolic Gospel Church), in Ironton, Ohio. She and Charlie began what you see today. They have been married 27 years and have spent the majority of those years working in the church, singing, teaching, leading and preaching the Gospel! She has faithfully served in whatever capacity she and her husband have found themselves in. She truly is the backbone of the Betts Family!
Sheryl was the third of four Russell children. Her father a preacher and very active in the church, Sheryl was always asked to sing. She has spent her life being used by God in worship and singing.
When she was 16 her father was diagnosed with colon cancer. At age 54, he passed away, having instilled in his children this Apostolic heritage. Sheryl's mother, Linda, is 71 and still going strong.
Having experienced the death of her father, Sheryl decided to recommit herself to the work of God. She made up in her mind that she was going to instill that same heritage, she received, into her children.
She married Charles in 1989 at Greater Faith Apostolic Church (then known as the Apostolic Gospel Church), in Ironton, Ohio. She and Charlie began what you see today. They have been married 27 years and have spent the majority of those years working in the church, singing, teaching, leading and preaching the Gospel! She has faithfully served in whatever capacity she and her husband have found themselves in. She truly is the backbone of the Betts Family!