Charles – or “Charlie” – was called by God and the members of the Bush Creek Church of the Brethren to serve as Pastor beginning January 1, 2005. He brings a knowledge of the Church of the Brethren from his youth and ministry in the Brethren Church, a sister denomination. Over the years he has filled positions in pastoral ministry and denominational level work.
Charlie grew up as the son of an Air Force Chaplain and Brethren pastor, living in Ohio, Indiana, New York, Florida, Turkey, and Japan. His grandfather was also an ordained elder in the Brethren Church.
His college education was at Ashland University in Ohio, and his Master of Arts in Religion with additional work in pastoral ministry, was earned at Ashland Theological Seminary. Before entering professional church work, Charlie made his career in broadcasting, both as an educator and commercial broadcaster, teaching Radio/Television at Ashland University and working as Program Director of WVNO-FM in Mansfield, Ohio. He also was for a number of years a certified instructor in the Dale Carnegie organization.
In 1990, he and his wife Linda, married 42 years, moved to Maryland to begin a new Brethren Church. Following some difficult health problems the work was closed and Charlie ultimately joined the staff of Trinity UMC in 1996. Linda recently retired from teaching "Life Skills" at West Frederick Middle School.
Charlie and Linda are the parents of a grown son Tim, who along with his wife Amy, is raising their grandsons Micah (6) and Elijah (3). Caleb (born February 27, 2010).
