Charles Philip Griffis passed away at his home in Mobile, Alabama, on Monday, June 19, 2017 at the age of 51.  He was affectionately known as “Big Chuck,” and he left a big impact on the hearts of many people.

Consider some words of tribute that have been shared this past week on Facebook:

“This man use to come to the hood and talk to me and hundreds of other kids about God.  And he would also just come pick us up to get us away from the streets.  Sometimes he would take us out to eat or whatever we could think of just to keep us out of trouble.  If your mom needed a ride to the grocery store, no problem, he would be on his way.  Chuck Griffis really cared about people and gave his life to serving others.” – Jamandas Mayberry, June 19

“So sorry to hear this morning about the death of a brother in Christ and servant of God, Chuck Griffis.  He loved the men and women of the Mobile inner city.  He wanted nothing more than to save souls and make them ready for Heaven… He was one of a kind.  He will be missed.  Who will fill his shoes?” – Brian Giselbach, June 19

“The highlight of my summers for several years was getting to work with Chuck Griffis in Mobile.  I learned more from him than anyone else about the culture of the poor and our responsibility to reach the lost from all backgrounds.  He truly lived up to the motto on his office wall: ‘Ministry is not a job; it is a lifestyle choice.’”  – Ryan Gallagher, June 19

Responding to these and hundreds of other comments, Chuck’s wife, Jane, wrote: “I want to thank God and so many family and friends for the love and support they have and are showing to Edward and me.  Facebook, as you all know was a big part of my husband's life.  He wholeheartedly loved each of you with the love of Christ and did everything in his power to bring Jesus to the world.  He was a great light and we all have been tremendously blessed to know him.” – Jane Griffis, June 20

Randy Latner, who in recent years brought several groups to serve in campaigns with Chuck, wrote on June 20: “I'll never forget a man that loved the Lord and the people in his community as much as he did.  His work was never popular with the main stream but he hung in there because he loved the lost and wanted them all to experience the love of Jesus Christ.  He never wavered on what he felt the church needed and what God called him to do.”

Perhaps Randy’s comments sum up well the reason for the impact that Big Chuck had on many lives: “He loved the lost and wanted them to experience the love of Jesus Christ.”

Big Chuck’s message to all was the Gospel of Jesus Christ: that despite the fact that we are all sinners (Romans 3:23), God loves us so much that He gave His Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins (John 3:16).  God will save and give eternal life to those who will place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).  He will continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7).

Big Chuck “wanted nothing more than to save souls and make them ready for Heaven.”

What about YOU?  Have you been saved?  You can be, if you’ll respond to Jesus on His terms.

Thank you, Big Chuck, for impacting our lives for good and for God.

-- David A. Sargent

David A. Sargent, Minister

Church of Christ at Creekwood 
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama  36695

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