Point your kids in the right direction— when they’re old they won’t be lost.
Proverbs 22:6 (MSG)

It’s been said that the church is more of a hospital for sinners—not a museum for saints. While statistics are difficult to nail down, you would likely be surprised by the number of people who attend Sunday gatherings but have serious doubts about Jesus.

Not so sure about that? Just ask Charlie Nichols. His journey to Jesus took 86 years—years filled with church services, questions, and doubts.

“That’s the bottom line, I believe! I believe! I believe!” Charlie Nichols proclaimed his deep conviction from the stage just moments before his baptism.

“And how old are you?” asked Pastor Randy.

“I’m 86.”

At 86, Charlie would tell you the road he traveled to arrive at this moment in time was far from simple or obvious—despite having attended church off and on for most of his life.

The Early Years.

Growing up, Charlie attended three different churches. His mother was Baptist, but while he remembers his father reading the Bible a lot, he never saw his dad go to church. His dad would say churches were filled with “a bunch of hypocrites.”

“My parents really didn’t care where I went,” Charlie remembered. So, he went whenever and wherever it was most convenient or fun. As he grew, Charlie had a keen awareness of God, but lacked an understanding of Jesus and the gospel message. The seeds planted in his childhood would lie dormant for eight decades before finally sprouting with life.

2016.

For a few years, Charlie quietly observed his neighbors, the Vetters, and his best friend, Bill Fenton. He knew both families attended Westside Family Church and were part of small groups with other churchgoers. His observance of their deep faith and the way they lived their lives, however, caused Charlie to become increasingly curious. He rarely said anything about it to Bill. He simply watched. He did, however, talk about it with his wife Janet frequently, and she was growing curious, too.

“Maybe we should try that church Bill and Marilyn and the Vetters go to,” Janet finally suggested one Friday morning over breakfast.

“Sure, let’s see what it’s all about,” Charlie agreed. “If nothing else, I’d just like to understand why they like it so much. It sounds pretty different from the other churches we’ve attended over the years.”

“OK,” Janet said. “I’ll call Marilyn today and find out what time they go on Sunday.”

Sunday morning came, and the Nichols made their way to Westside. As they walked through the front doors, they were amazed by the large number of people milling about—and there were so many children!

“Charlie!” Charlie turned and was relieved to recognize a familiar face. “I’m so glad you could make it!” “Well, sure, Bill,” Charlie replied. “We’ve been looking forward to it.”

“Come, let’s head inside and get some seats. It fills up pretty quick.”

Bill guided them into the sanctuary, where they got to their seats.

Looking around the large room, Charlie was struck by how different it felt. This was very different from anything he’d previously experienced. Then the lights dimmed, and the worship band took to the stage. Charlie reached over and squeezed Janet’s hand. He felt oddly at home in this setting, and Janet did, too.

As the morning went on, the worship and message grabbed hold of his heart, and after they went home, Charlie expressed to Janet how much he enjoyed it. “I can see why Bill and Marilyn like that church,” Charlie said to Janet.

“I agree. I’d really like to go again. What do you think?”

“Yes, let’s plan on it.”

Week after week, Charlie and Janet returned, much to the delight of their friends. One Sunday, the church encouraged everyone to get involved in an A2 Community. Bill and Marilyn had attended one for years and always talked about it.

“Charlie, have you ever thought about getting into a group?” Bill asked. “Marilyn and I have really enjoyed the people we’ve gotten to know as well as the growth we’ve had spiritually.”

“You know, Bill, I think we’d like to check that out.”

Charlie and Janet made their way to a table and met Jim Kitchens. After talking with him and finding out more about the A2 Community he led, Charlie and Janet signed up. The first gathering, Jim explained, would be a casual cookout. He gave them the date and encouraged them to come.

The cookout proved to be an excellent way for the Nichols to get to know the other group members. It was an inviting and fun-loving bunch, and they made Charlie and Janet feel welcome and at ease right away.

As they ate, Jim suggested they go around the group, each one sharing a little bit about themselves, their families, and their faith.

One by one, the group members shared, and then it was Charlie’s turn.

“Well, my name is Charlie Nichols. My wife Janet and I are retired schoolteachers. I taught English over in KCK, and Janet taught Home Economics. That’s actually how we met. We have two wonderful grown children, Karen and Matt. As far as my faith goes, I believe in God, but I have my doubts about Jesus.”

Charlie waited for a gasp from the group that never came. Instead, his confession was met with looks of understanding and kindness.

In the years that followed, Charlie asked many questions as he worked through his preconceived notions about the Christian faith. The believers in the group listened patiently, encouraged, and gave Charlie the space he needed to wrestle with Jesus.

A voracious reader, Charlie committed himself to studying and reading the Bible from cover to cover—something he had never done. It was the four New Testament gospels, however, that captivated him. He read them so many times he lost count.

As he read, he was struck by the miracles, the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, and all the circumstances that surrounded him. Jesus was no ordinary man, as he had believed for decades. For the first time in his life, the scriptures spoke to him like a constant dialog. He thought about it when he woke up in the morning and went to bed at night. Who was this Jesus, really? Slowly, conviction began to take root in his heart.

January 2020.

“Jim,” the voice on the other end of the phone sounded shaky, but he recognized it instantly—it was Janet.

“Would you have the group pray for Charlie? He slipped on the ice and broke his hip.”

The news came as a shock, but Jim immediately got the word out to the group.

As Charlie began his recovery, he transitioned to a rehabilitation facility.

One day, Jim visited his friend, but before leaving, he felt led to say just one more thing.

“Charlie, I’ve been curious…have you made a decision to accept Christ yet?”

“No, Jim, but I’m getting there.”

Jim smiled. “Alright then. I’m praying for you, brother. Hopefully, you can get out of this place soon!”

“Thank you.”

The weeks passed, and Charlie finally went home with Janet. Charlie kept thinking about all the things God showed him in the scriptures about Jesus and realized he could no longer deny the truth that Jesus, indeed, is the only way to the Father.

It would be several more months before Jim and Charlie would have a similar conversation about accepting Jesus as Savior, but Charlie’s response was different this time.

“Jim, I’ve settled it—I believe! I thought I needed to look further, but it was my seeing, reading, and knowing what Jesus did that finally convinced me of the truth.”

May 2022.

“Charlie, Matt’s on the phone for you,” Janet brought the phone to Charlie.

Matt, who lives in Denver, called his parents frequently. His dad had had a stroke in November 2021, and, for him, hearing his dad speak was a good barometer of his recovery. Words—Charlie’s lifelong passion—had become his greatest new challenge. While reading and speaking were now a constant challenge for him, his mind was still sharp as a tack, and Matt felt encouraged.

His dad always loved to talk about Jesus, and today was no different. In fact, Charlie spoke to his son about his deep conviction of Jesus as his Savior.

“Dad, have you ever thought about baptism?” Matt carefully broached the subject, not knowing how his 86-year-old father would react.

“Yes, as a matter of fact, I think I’m going to do that,” Charlie’s response came as a surprise to Matt. “In fact, I think I’m going to do it while you’re here!”

“Really? I’d love that, Dad!” Matt already had plans to visit over Memorial Day weekend for a work conference, but he would have made the trip for this one event all on its own.

The following week, Charlie shared the news of his baptism plans with his A2 Community. The announcement met with celebration, excitement, and commitments to be there.

“Charlie, what does this mean to you?” Jim asked him in front of the group.

“Well, it’s a signal point with me and with everyone. I’m saying, ‘Lord Jesus, I’m here, I believe.’” Charlie grinned from ear to ear.

If you’re ready to take YOUR next step in your faith walk, sign up here to get baptized!