Charles Holley | Full BIO

Charles Holley - Full Biography

BIRTH

Born into a world marked by struggle and inequality, Charles emerged from humble beginnings as the youngest of seventeen siblings during the tumultuous era of the civil rights movement.

Growing up in the harsh reality of severe poverty as the child of Alabama sharecroppers, he experienced the injustices of segregation firsthand. His exposure to the unequal surroundings of the 1960's south, caused him to develop low self-esteem and grapple with a severe speech impediment as a child.

As a teenager, he was terrified of public speaking in school and avoided when possible. Ironically, it would be this very fear that would drive him to win two public speaking awards later on in life.

Childhood

As a mere child in the early 1970s, he stepped into the fight against segregation, integrating a white school in Athens, AL where he encountered both challenges and rewards.

It was in that volatile yet rewarding atmosphere that he discovered the transformative power of education and athletics.

He earned a basketball scholarship that paved the way for his Bachelor of Science degree, making him the first college graduate of his family. In the photo, Charles is wearing number twenty-two (22) .

Marriage

Charles married his college sweetheart and welcomed two beautiful children into the world. Soon after rededicating his life to Jesus Christ, his wife and two children also gave their lives to Christ--making the entire household saved.

But even amidst his triumphs, tragedy struck. His thirteen-year-old son suddenly died from cardiac arrest while playing basket at his middle school--the result of an unknown heart defect called ARVD.

Called to preach just two years earlier, Charles blamed God and doubted his faith. He soon sank into depression and the downward spiral of his wife's struggle to accept the death of their son, plunged him into the depths of despair.

Writing Books

Yet, from the ashes of grief, he found solace in writing and rediscovered his faith in God. His son's passing inspired his first book entitled, "When Flowers Fade." Using faith and storytelling as a means of healing and hope, Charles transformed his pain into inspiration for others and his sorrow into strength for many readers.

Charles used his voice to uplift and empower those who had faced their own trials and tribulations. This marked the beginning of a prolific literary career, with Charles penning multiple inspirational books that chronicle various segments of his life.

Among his notable works is the international award-winner "Black and White: Healing Racial Divide," a powerful testament to the importance of racial healing and reconciliation. This groundbreaking book received an Outstanding Non-Fiction Award from the Bookfest 2020 book contest. His autobiography entitled, "Soar Above the Pain," and "The Next Level Forgiver," are two more most-reads.

Biblical Counseling

The death of Charles' son sparked a desire in him to know more about the Word of God. He wanted to gain a deeper understanding of how to use God's word to comfort, encourage, and strengthen others.

This desire led him to Whitesburg Bible College in Huntsville, AL where he enrolled in and completed a Master of Biblical Counseling.

But his thirst for godly knowledge continues and he constantly searches for godly material and courses to gain spiritual revelation and greater insight into the Word and Will of God.

Ministry

Charles was called into the preaching ministry in 1999 while he was a member of a presbyterian church. He was formally ordained in 2002 under the Baptist denomination.

Shortly after the death of his son, Charles founded C.L. Holley Ministries Inc, a non-profit 501(c)(3) ministry to comfort, encourage, and strengthen others caught in the fight of depression and excessive mourning.

The ministry includes specific topics for men, women, and youths. The Lord has blessed Charles to share the inspiring story of his son, Torrell, with many youths in churches and schools.

The Lord has also opened doors for the ministry internationally through books and missionary visits.

Charles has ministered to multiple denominations and non-denominational churches throughout the South. Currently, he and his wife are members of a non-denomination church in Madison AL.