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— CS Lewis However, Charlie’s message is nothing of the sort, not even from the get go. How extreme is it for a father of six in his mid-forty’s to leave a long established job, a job that gave celebratory status, a very healthy salary, and leave it to work for God?
Well, that is Charlie Adams’ Story. After working at CBS affiliate WSBT for sixteen years as sports and news anchor, Charlie had a change of heart. He took all that he had seen over the years; the best “God Stories”, the people who made a difference, those that communicated God’s love in a short news clip, and decided God has a message and it is Charlie’s job to communicate it; not just on the 6:30 evening news but in the churches, in the work place, in the schools, everywhere God leads. Charlie speaks of making a difference.
Making a difference
Charlie for several years at WSBT featured stories of people who made a difference in the community. “When I reported about people who made a difference, and in many times they were Christians, it had an effect on me.” I think that is why God has me in this speaking ministry. It’s not Charlie speaking. It is the people talking on the videos. When you look at their stories you are challenged to ask what can I do?” Says Charlie.
Charlie has been a believer since high school crediting a youth camp retreat for his conversion experience. Charlie honestly admits that it has been a long process and a maturing process to get “Jesus truly as lord and savior” in his life. It was through this maturing that has recently “really kicked into high gear” that has led to this change in direction. “God just changed my heart! My interest in sports went from a passion to just a casual interest as God has led me in a different direction.” Says Charlie
Married to his new wife Nancy three years ago, Charlie is now fathering a blended family of six with one child being their own; Charlie felt God was calling him to be at home more. While at WSBT, Charlie’s work would have him working long hours, mostly at night, and missing a lot of the bedtime routines and important times with his children. Now he is able to be at home and be a large part of their children’s activities and guiding his children.
Priority shifts
God over time has developed a passion in Charlie for getting in the Word, and letting God speak through him. “A few years ago I felt a calling but, it went nowhere because it just wasn’t time in my life. I was still straddling the fence in a few areas in my life”. Says Charlie. “Once you have struggled with issues, and get beyond them, God can use you”. Charlie mentions stumbling mightily in his life, but God has redeemed him and is now using him to encourage others. Especially to the young people, Charlie has a strong message to teenagers about divorce. “I’m like God in that I hate divorce, I’ve seen what it has done in my life. I have a strong message about getting it right.” God has used Charlie’s own struggles to help minister to teens to getting marriage right. “I messed up the first time. They need to know that it is serious stuff.”
Changing professions has only encouraged Charlie. It was a step out in faith to give up a healthy salary. “My faith has grown, my trust has grown. I’ve learned how to be content. I don’t need to be out playing golf, but providing for the kids and all that. I am content with that.”
“And The Blessings have been incredible,” says Charlie. Being around the body of Christ has just been a blessing. “When you go to a church one night and you are around the body of people it is so uplifting. You want to be around them and help them grow. That has been the number one blessing.”
Entertaining, Informative and Inspirational
This is how to describe Charlie’s Speaking Ministry…. Entertaining, informative and inspirational. "I use inspirational and humorous short video tapes," says Charlie.
"These tapes have been very effective. They are of local Christians sharing their faith. One example is of Darryl. He was born with cerebral palsy. He underwent major heart surgery as an adult, lost his wife, suffered broken bones late in life and yet he still served God faithfully. Though his body was broken down, Darryl was able to fold towels at a local nursing home. It was what he could do to show love." It is stories like these that Charlie uses in his ministry to build up the body of Christ and empower them to serve God better.
Charlie says the Christian-speaking portion of his ministry is first and foremost of his newfound endeavor. This is where God is bringing the most opportunities. Then the motivational programs for high school students and business/corporate talks. The Christian Speaking ministry includes church luncheons, conferences, youth meetings, and keynote speaking. “I think God has opened more doors in the Christian Speaking ministry.” Says Charlie. “The business school program is terrific and an incredible value, but God is not opening as many doors there as the other.” Says Charlie.
Looking in the near future, Charlie’s goals include getting out and speaking in the Michiana area wherever God leads. Charlie has developed a program that can minister to a church throughout the entire day or half a day; it maybe speaking during a service in the morning, a luncheon in the afternoon, and a youth group in the evening. Charlie has a speaking program to fit most ministry needs.
And the schedule is continually growing. Charlie laughs at a recent call he received from a potential client asking if he had any open dates six months from now. As he looked at the calendar, his calendar was wide open. Though today, that calendar may have a lot of white space, in the future his calendar includes speaking engagements all over the michiana area. It is growing everyday. He will be speaking in churches and ministries with a topical slant from humor, to Sunday service sermons, to motivational talks, to the Game plan for a Christian Teen. Charlie has developed a full speaking ministry and is ready to be used by God to motivate and inspire Gods people all over the area. As far as the school programs, Bethel College is sponsoring Charlie in four school programs in the near future.
Charlie’s immediate needs are essentially prayer. Prayer for God to speak through him to encourage listeners. He feels strongly that God is in the midst of this exciting new ministry and is ready to motivate the community in whatever way God leads. In order to accommodate his loyal viewers, you may occasionally see Charlie on WSBT as he continues his inspirational stories in a limited capacity, but for speaking engagements, Charlie can be reached at 574-255-8388 or visit his website at www.CharlieAdams.us