about me
NOW I BEGIN — Because Jesus Makes All Things New
This is the story of how the grace of God met me, changed me, and gave me a new beginning.
My name is Coach Carl Charles, and I am honored to share my testimony about what Jesus has done in my life. I titled it “Now I Begin” because this is the story of my new life — a true beginning that only God could give.
My Life Before Knowing Jesus:
For 42 years I worked in education as a teacher, coach, and athletic director. I spent thirty-one of those years as a high school head basketball coach and athletic director in Fairfield County, CT. Everyone calls me “Coach.”
How I Came to Know Jesus
Fast forward to November 2017: By a pathway only God could have arranged, my wife Jamie and I were invited to attend a service at a local Christian church (CCC) by a neighbor we had just met.
From the moment the service began, I felt the unconditional love and presence of God. The worship was refreshing and the Bible-based teaching spoke directly to my life. At the end of the service, the pastor asked a question that pierced my heart.
“If you were to die today and come face to face with Jesus, what reason would you give for being allowed into Heaven”?
I had no answer. I was broken, lost in sin, filled with shame, and searching for something deeper in my spirit.
In that moment, I met Christ the Savior — and my life changed forever. The greatest decision I ever made was asking Jesus Christ to be my Savior and Lord! That was my "NOW I BEGIN" moment — 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 “Before,” but far more importantly, every follower of Jesus has an “After.” We are saved by the ONE who rescues, restores and redeems.
My Life After Receiving Jesus
Overwhelmed by God’s mercy and all that He has done for me; I now have freedom and peace. Jesus has forgiven all of my sins and lifted the heavy burden of guilt and shame I carried for years. He has given me hope and joy through salvation.
At age sixty-five, Jesus changed me from the inside out. He gave me a new life, a new heart, and a renewed spirit. When I was at my lowest and did not even love myself, Jesus loved me, forgave me, and made me new! My life will never be the same.
I thank God for my wife Jamie, who has also made Jesus her Lord. One of the greatest blessings of my new beginning has been building a Christ-centered life together, placing God at the center of everything we do.
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. You too can begin a new life with Jesus — He is as close as your call to Him.
I also thank Him for choosing me to be on His Team. Now I coach for Christ — helping people know Him, find purpose, and 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 you will ask Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior. The same grace that gave me a new beginning is reaching for you today, Jesus makes all things new — and He can begin in you right now.
God bless you all.
My life revolved around two things: my family —especially raising my two children — and my passion for sports. I was driven by an intense desire to succeed and be the best at what I did. Outwardly, I looked like a successful man living a good life! But when I retired, an unexpected emptiness hit me hard. Despite championships, accomplishments, and the excitement of coaching, I felt no lasting satisfaction. My heart longed for something deeper. I attended church for most of my life, but never truly knew God. I felt unworthy and distant from Him.
As I reflected on my life, I realized how consumed I had become with the ways of the world. I was a workaholic, chasing excellence, success, and recognition. I wanted to provide for my family, but I was also chasing money, possessions, and the pleasures of this world. Pride took root and I desired to please “myself.”
Eventually my personal life began to unravel. I made poor decisions that led to the end of my 30-year marriage. The pain I caused my family— along with the guilt, shame, and condemnation, became a crushing weight on my soul.