about me
NUNC COEPI – “Now I Begin”
My name is Coach Carl Charles, and I am honored to share my testimony about what Jesus has done in my life. I titled my testimony “Nunc Coepi,” 2 Latin words which mean “Now I Begin”.
This is my story of my new life, and new beginning.
My Life before Knowing Christ:
For 42 years I worked in education as a teacher, coach, and athletic director.
I was a successful high school head basketball coach and athletic director in
Fairfield County, CT for 31 of those years. Everyone calls me “Coach.”
During this time, my life was centered on two main things: my family,
especially loving and raising my two children, and my love and passion for sports.
I was driven by an extraordinarily strong desire to be the best I could be in my career.
Outwardly, I looked like a normal, successful guy living a good life! But once I retired, I was overcome by an intense feeling of emptiness. Despite the excitement of coaching teams to championship levels and building successful athletic programs, I lacked satisfaction and fulfillment with my life. My heart ached and longed for something deeper in my inner self. I attended church for most of my life, but never really knew God in a personal way. I always felt unworthy and distant from Him.
As I reflected on my life, I saw that I was caught up in the ways of the world. My career began to consume me. I became a workaholic, driven by my pursuit of excellence, success, and fame. Trying to provide the best for my family, I also was seeking the pleasures of this world, the pursuit of money and material possessions. I became prideful and desired to please “Myself.” Because of this, things started to unravel in my personal life. I made some poor decisions which caused my 30-year marriage to end in divorce. The hurt and pain I caused my family, accompanied with the guilt, shame and condemnation were crushing me.
How I came to know Christ
Fast forward to November of 2017: By a pathway that only could have been orchestrated by God, my wife Jamie and I were invited to attend a service at Cornerstone Christian Center by a new neighbor we had just met. From the moment we arrived at Cornerstone, we were welcomed with love and acceptance by everyone we met. I felt the unconditional love and presence of God throughout the service. It was refreshing to be singing songs of praise and worship to God and to hear Bible-based teaching from Pastor Watts. At the end of the service, Pastor made it clear that Jesus Christ died to save us from our sins and asked this question: “If you were to die today and come face to face with Jesus, what reason would you give to be allowed to enter Heaven”? I had no answer as I was broken and lost in sin, filled with shame, searching for something deeper in my spirit. At that very moment, I met Christ the Savior and my life changed forever. The best life decision I ever made was asking Jesus Christ to be my Savior and Lord! That was my Nunc Coepi moment: now I begin again, by the Grace of God!
The Bible says: “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul.”
Every follower of Jesus has a not so good “Before.” But more importantly, every follower of Jesus has an “After.” We are saved by the ONE who RESCUES, RESTORES and REDEEMS!
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After I received Jesus as my Lord and Savior
Overwhelmed by God’s MERCY and all that He has done for me, I have freedom and peace. Jesus has FORGIVEN me from all of my sins, past, present, and future and removed the heavy burden of guilt and shame I was carrying. Jesus has given me Hope and Joy in Him through my salvation.
At the age of sixty-five Jesus changed me from the inside out, giving me a new life, a new heart, and a renewed spirit. Nunc Coepi perfectly encapsulates my call to a new life in Christ. When I was at my lowest point and did not love myself, Jesus loved me, forgave me, and my life will never be the same! My life has changed since Jesus came. Now I see, now I believe, now I know His love for me.
The Bible says “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ Jesus, he is a new creation. The old has passed away, behold the new has come.”
Our God is a God of SECOND CHANCES and fresh starts. Every day is a new beginning with new opportunities. You too can begin a new life with Jesus at any time. He is as close as your call to Him.
I thank God for my wife Jamie who has made Jesus her Lord as well. Together we place God at the center of everything in our lives! I also thank Him for choosing me to be on His Team. Now I coach for Christ, helping people to know Him and to find purpose and fulfillment in their lives to become all that God created them to be! As a follower and messenger of Jesus, I am living out my purpose to share the love of Jesus Christ with everyone I meet.
I pray that all of you will ask Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior. He will change your life forever!
God Bless You All!