J. C. Choate (1932–2008)

He was baptized while still in high school and began preaching shortly thereafter.

He held a B.A. in Bible, a Master’s in Missions, and D.Min. in Missions. He attended Freed-Hardeman College, David Lipscomb College, Alabama Christian College (B.A.), and Harding Graduate School (M.A.)

He wrote numerous books, among them A Missionary Speaks (1983), A Missionary Speaks Up (1984), A Missionary Speaks Out (1986), How to Begin the Church of Christ Where You Are (2002) and Sermons from Matthew (2003).

He was founder of World Evangelism Foundation and J.C. Choate Publications, as well as Editor-in-Chief of The Voice of Truth International, a quarterly magazine published for churches of Christ in the interest of evangelism world-wide.

J.C. was the leader in the brotherhood for publishing missionary accounts on the field and missions studies.

Before moving overseas, J.C. preached for churches in Corinth, Gulfport, Tupelo and Belzoni, Miss., Shafter, Calif., and Minneapolis, Minn.

J.C. and Betty moved in 1962 with their infant daughter to Karachi, Pakistan, to begin the church in that city. In succeeding years their work has included planting New Testament Christianity in Colombo, Sri Lanka and New Delhi, India before returning to the United States in 1975. Choate continued to spend half of each year in India and other Asian countries, working with church members to produce literature and programs for radio and television in the U.S., India and Asia.
In May 2007 J.C. was awarded an honorary doctorate from Heritage Christian University, Florence, Ala., for his many years of dedicated service to missions.