For Chuck

Early this morning, Dr. Chuck Nichols passed away. When we talk about Chuck, we talk about his enthusiastic smile and genuine caring nature, along with the joy in his life that could only have come from God. Or, there is the other side of Chuck, the wise, scholarly side, which has influenced people all over the world, including local missions like Red Rock Bible Camp or Providence University College and Theological Seminary, or abroad in countries such as Myanmar and Ukraine.

Yet, despite all these words, I feel like there are no words to accurately describe the impact of Chuck on my life. 

I first met Chuck in 2010 as a staff member at Red Rock Bible Camp. Every year for almost as long as Kim has been around, Chuck has been the main speaker for staff camp at Red Rock. I remember my first year as a staff member and being drawn in by Chuck's aura. Here was a man standing on stage, preaching about God, yet doing so with so much youthful enthusiasm and joy! It was a shock for me to find out this man was in his seventies, for in no way did he act that way (any of you who know Chuck know the youthfulness that I am talking about). 

Chuck loved coming to camp to teach all us young punks, and I genuinely believe that one of Chuck's favorite activities during staff camp (besides playing basketball, of course) was getting to know the staff members at Red Rock. He would make an effort to get to know every single staff member during the week, and went out of his way to make every person know that he thought the world of them. It was a combination of his genuine character, youthful enthusiasm, and infinite wisdom that drew me towards Chuck.

As I returned to Red Rock year after year, and also as I transitioned to Providence University College, my relationship with Chuck grew. He was always there to chat and talk about life, school, camp, or whatever was present in my life. Not only did he take the time to talk, he did so with such a genuine nature, you knew that he really cared about how you were doing.

But there is one thing Chuck taught me that stands out above all the sessions I had with him. Chuck taught me that there is no such thing as a balance between studying and living out your faith. Rather, we study in order to live out our faith, "so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord (cf. Col 1:9-10). As a young biblical scholar, or "junior theologian" as Chuck liked to say, this had a profound impact on my life and I do not think I would be the same without this. I spend a lot of time studying the bible in school, and began to feel like everything was so heady. It was with the help of Chuck that I learned that I need not feel this way, for in our studies, God is pleased, for in our study, we will bear much good fruit. 

Chuck, I do not feel that this short memoir does any justice to the profound impact you had on my life. And I know there are hundreds, maybe even thousands of people who feel the same way I do. I will be honest Chuck, I kinda thought you would live forever. People like you do not come around a lot, and I know that I am so blessed to have had you a part of my life for the short time I did. I know that if I turn into half the man that you were, I will be doing something right. Thanks for everything Chuck, you truly were an inspiration to us all.