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I was born in
southern Ohio into a loving Christian family. My Uncle Chuck
baptized me "Charles Edward Swartz" as an infant. My two older
sisters, younger brother and I had a great childhood full of the
usual victories and disappointments. I was blessed with parents who
were
unusually able to express their love. I knew I was loved by mom and
dad and by God. That knowledge has served me well my whole life.
In those years, Christ nurtured me through a strong Presbyterian
church and Christian friends of diverse denominations. At 13, I
“gave my life”
to Christ and a short time afterwards was “filled with the Holy
Spirit”. These were joyous exclamation marks in a happy childhood.
I went to college to become a doctor. But Christ’s plans were
better. Through study in Soviet Moscow, God moved me to consider
pastoral
ministry. In that hostile atmosphere, God blessed me through His
presence. This was found in the company of others and in isolation.
I was
seized by a passion to connect people with the satisfying company of
Christians.
In that trajectory setting time of life, I fell in love with an
amazing woman. Surprisingly, she also loved me. Debbie became my
wife after
college and has continued to be the best part of my life. We have a
three year old son named Henry. The day he was born was the happiest
day of my life.
Like many east-coast Presbyterians, I went to Princeton Theological
Seminary to train to become a pastor. It was such a blast to be able
to
study, talk, learn all the time about God. I had never known such
contentment.
In 1987 I was ordained and worked as a hospital chaplain at the Mayo
Clinic hospitals in Minnesota. A small parish in a small nearby town
called me to be their solo pastor. Oh my gosh – I was now “the
pastor”. What a joy and responsibility! I rarely felt like I was
adequate for
the job, but the Holy Spirit supplied all that was needed.
After nine years, Overlake Park asked me to join them as pastor.
From the first day I began work it has been a happy experience.
We have grown together in love and grace. I plan to minister here
for as long as the Lord wants me to, which I hope is many years.
My vision is that the church is the place where all who drop in
experience God’s grace and abundance, respect and love.
And that we who journey together grow as disciples.
If you want to chat with me, I invite you to visit me in the flesh
or online. My office is always open, and so is my blog!
Cheerily,
Charlie |
