Fall 2011

een recommended by Al Metsker,the Kansas City YFC director, tobecome a youth evangelist for theassociation. After spending threedays in Kansas City discussing theproposal with Grady Wilson, Graham'sclose friend, he declined.His final decision was that it wasnot a good fit for him because ofthe theological restraints that itwould place upon his preaching.This was a seminal moment in hiscareer.A great privilege of Chuck'sministry has been the chance topreach in the revivals of most ofour Nazarene colleges over theyears, in at least two of these collegesas many as a dozen times.He has a unique ability to reachthe minds and hearts of students.As one of my own students atMNU told me after a first chapelsermon in revival, "This guy reallyknows where it's at." We arestill blessed by the memory ofan offering in excess of $l00,000raised by the students and facultyas result of a challenge given tothem during a revival at SouthernNazarene University when the collegewas facing the possibility offinancial disaster.A gifted communicator, Chuckhas preached in some of the largestas well as the smallest churchesin North America, principallyfor the Nazarene denominationbut also in the wider evangelicalworld. I have often heard him say,"There are no small churches, onlysmall buildings."He held seven crusades forDr. Jerry Falwell in Thomas RoadBaptist Church and Liberty Universityin Virginia where he preachedhis well-known sermon, "GivingLiving." On every occasion, he wasalways introduced as a Nazareneevangelist. This providedfor the first time his exposure toAmerican and Canadian televisionministries which included tworevivals at "The People's Church"in Toronto.Ministering With a Street RodChuck has always had a deeplove for cars. Others that sharethis interest would call him a gearhead. Nearly 30 years ago heattended his first National StreetRod event in Tulsa with his closefriend, Pete Mustain. He wonderedwhy there was no churchservice during the Sunday morninghours and expressed this toPete. Pete agreed with him andcalled the owner of the Associationin California to suggest theidea. A church service for the nextyear's event was scheduled, andChuck was asked to be the firstever chaplain of the street rodders,a position held for 22 years.He preached to thousands everySaturday afternoon and Sundaymorning. It was great becauseit combined two things that heloved: cars and evangelism. Inaddition, he wrote a column in"Street Scene" magazine entitled"Thy Rod."Special ProjectsOver the years Chuck has writtensix books, numerous articles,and gospel songs. His deepfriendship with Bill Gaither led tothe collaboration in the writing ofsuch songs as "The King is Coming"and "The Family of God." Hehas been invited to participate inover 70 of Bill Gaither's Homecomingvideos. The best of Chuck'sown songs is perhaps "The Brush,"the story of his own conversion.He has produced countless musicaland preaching resources suchas "The Breath of God," a collectionof 700 biblical promises narratedby Chuck with orchestrations andpiano background by Jerry Nelson.Though Chuck has assumedmany roles in ministry, his greatesthas been as father and husband.Early on we established our homein Olathe, Kansas, where we havelived for the duration across thecreek from MidAmerica NazareneUniversity and two blocks fromthe Nazarene church, both ofwhich have been the center ofour lives. We have two children:Melinda, a fourth grade teacherand constant joy and support; andChip, a child and adolescent psychiatristand son to be proud of,who lives in Topeka along with hiswife Linda and our grandchildren:William, Alexandra, and Amelia.Together we have been a partof it all: the campmeetings, therevivals and the travel. For threemonths every summer we hit thecampmeeting trail. To this day weremember the mighty move ofthe Holy Spirit in convicting powerand grace as altars and front pewsfilled due to the anointed preachingand singing of Chuck, andthe evangelists we have workedalongside. It is a legacy of highestvalue to have known such an erain the history of our church.In recent years, Chuck wouldbe quick to (continued on next page)Fall 2011 / EVANGELISTS' PERSPECTIVE / 9