August 2009
Dear Friends,
As many of you may know, I was born in this area of Dermott, Arkansas and born-again here, as well. The return to Dermott has been an emotional journey for me. It has been filled with great joy and many surprises. Even though I have experienced challenges along the way, I can truly say, God has wonderfully brought me through them all.
There are no adequate words to express to the Lord, how thankful I am to have the privilege of serving Him in the place I found difficult and trying as a child. I know God has brought me here because He loves me, and He will use me here because I love Him.
Please take a moment to view the transformation of the house and property by clicking onto “The Fountains” at www.charlesgrahamministry.com. What pictures cannot tell, is how God has used the transformation of this property to impact and transform my life.
I believe “The Fountains,” a ministry retreat center, will be a place of refreshing and transformation for many lives. It would be a great honor to have you present at the grand opening celebration. If you cannot make it, please know, I understand. I deeply appreciate your continued prayer, love and support as you have made it possible for me to walk in the call of God on my life. I could not have done it without you!
Hope to see you here!
In His Service,
Charles Graham
December 2008
“I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 29:11
My Dear Brothers and Sisters~
As I reflect over this past year, I am truly amazed at the goodness of our Lord! I have been blessed with many wonderful opportunities of ministry . I am so thankful for divine appointments! It is so exciting to minister a timely word or a song of the Lord to someone’s heart. Just a Word of the Lord can make a world of difference to each of our lives. You will see how this has happened in my life over the past year. I would like to share a bit of this story with you which begins with the scripture reference at the beginning of this letter. How marvelous are the plans of the Lord!
As many of you know, I was born and raised in Southeast Arkansas; one of 13 children (9 brothers and 3 sisters) in a rural community called Baxter, just outside the town of Dermott. My father was a farm worker and my mother a cook in a private home when she wasn’t working in the fields. I grew up picking cotton, weeding beans and picking pecans to make extra money to buy school clothes and for Christmas shopping. At the age of 10, I became a Christian and was baptized in the bayou. My elementary school teachers were both educators and spiritual mentors. I realized how that even though our conditions may have been secondary, our opportunity for an education was not. I am thankful to God for His hand upon my life even then.
I used to dream about the big beautiful farm house as we would walk past it on our way to the cotton fields and pecan orchards. The closest I would get to the inside of this house was collecting my wages at the back door.
I finished high school in 1975 and was excited to go to college. When I left Arkansas for school, I never planned on someday returning to live in Arkansas. Several years ago, God began to stir in my heart that a move would take place from Southern California. I wasn’t sure where I was to move. I looked into several possibilities, Missouri, Tennessee and Georgia, none of which included Arkansas. As you may have guessed, God led me to move back to Arkansas to the community where I spent my early childhood days.
God has allowed me to purchase the big farm house I used to dream about which includes the easement of the bayou where I was baptized! I feel God has made this all possible because He has great plans for this property. A part of the vision God gave me is to open this home to ministers and their families to come for rest and to be refreshed in their spirits, marriages and ministries. I am calling this “The Fountains, A Place of Refreshing.”
Also, one of the barns will be used as a multi-purpose facility to work with young people in a summer academic tutoring program. I would like to have a “Senior Saturday” once a month to welcome the seniors of the community for a fellowship social. I’ve been a part of the community for about a year now and it has been a great joy to my heart. I’m excited to serve the people of this area as God leads and gives me the strength and wisdom.
The property is about 94 years old (as you will read on the enclosed flyer) and requires a lot of renovation. We are well underway. So far we have put on a new roof, new electrical, 2 air conditioning and heating units, 2½ new bathrooms, plumbing, newly designed kitchen, sheetrock throughout the house, tile on the kitchen and bathroom floors and have converted the sun porches into all-season rooms. A lot has been done, but as you can image, there is A LOT more to do!
This letter is to ask for your help to fulfill this vision. My heart is to make this retreat available to those God will send without cost to them. I ask you to pray for me and to ask God if you are to join with me in this endeavor with your financial support. Because there is a mortgage on the property and costly ongoing renovations, the monthly expense is about $2,800—$3,000. I know this is a big dream and vision, but I also believe with all my heart that God has a plan!
I am thankful to God and to each one of you. Thank you for all the love and support you’ve given me over the past 33 years of ministry. I need your support on this project and I look forward to your visit to “The Fountains.” Thank you for your prayerful consideration.
God bless you this Christmas season!
Charles Graham
For for photos and more information on The Fountains click here . If you would like to make a financial contribution visit our donations page or click here for a printable donation form.
December 2007
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus~
What an amazing God we serve, One who is able to do all things well!
It is with great joy and thanksgiving that I remember the goodness of the Lord this past year. The scripture I would use to describe 2007 would be Eph.3:20 "Now unto Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we could ask or think, according to the power that works in us." God has proven this scripture in my life and ministry.
I was blessed to travel again to England, Scotland, Wales, Africa (Burundi, Rwanda, Kenya, and the Congo), and for the first time to Estonia. How amazing it was to serve the people in each place. There were many interesting adventures...having a bathroom faucet break off while in my suit with no way to let the front desk know without leaving the room to flood, also running out of gas in the dark of night while traveling in the Congo. God's goodness was very apparent as we did arrive to minister and saw many receive Christ and many more receive a fresh word of the Lord to meet them in their lives. While in the Congo I prayed and asked the Lord how to bless the people and felt led of God to purchase 500 Bibles, printed in Swahili, as many did not have the Word of the Lord including some pastors. God touched and changed so many lives through salvations, healings, and encouragement.
I witnessed the love and power of God as I shared in concerts, preached the Word, and ministered to youth, children, and in nursing homes. While in Africa, I was blessed to share with the children of the New Hope Orphanage (where we are establishing a music room). After having given them a keyboard last year, I was so touched as they shared with me the music they had written (5 new songs). How exciting it was to witness the power of God in their songs. Their love for the Lord was evident through the music. I asked the students to minister with me the following Sunday and what a powerful ministry it was, for both the children and the congregation.
There were so many blessings in ministry, including the opportunity to sit and visit with the First Lady of Burundi for 4 hours as she shared how she and her husband, His Excellency President Peter, surrendered to the Lord Jesus Christ. What a powerful testimony they have of God's hand upon their lives. I have been blessed to minister at the palace for the last two years. Please continue to pray for them and their family as they seek God's wisdom and direction.
There is so much more, but I can't tell it all in a letter, but please know that all of your support has helped in an incredible way as I was able to sow just over $12,000 in ministry to the orphanage, building, crusades, purchase of the 500 Bibles, and the joy of giving along the way as God would lead. Thank you so very much for the part each of you have shared.
It is with much joy that I look back at 2007, and forward to 2008. All of what I do is made possible through your love and support...Thank You! It blesses me so much to love and serve God by loving and serving people. I will have new pictures on the website so check them out soon!
I pray God’s blessings to you and your families during this Christmas season. Please let me know how I can pray for you.
Serving our Lord Jesus Christ together,
Charles Graham
It is with great excitement we announce that
Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri has
chosen to honor Charles Edward Graham
with an Honorary Doctorate Degree in
Music Ministry
presented on campus at the
Founders Day Ceremony
Wednesday, March 14th, 2007 at 10:00 am.
Charles would be equally as honored with your presence at this special event. Due to limited seating, please call or email Lori Sanada by February 28th if you are able to attend, including the number in your party.
If you are interested in scheduling Charles for a
service or
concert, please contact Lori as soon as possible by
email or call the number listed below.
We would love to hear from you!
Charles Graham Ministries
38801 Calistoga Drive
Murrieta, CA 92563
charlesgraham2000@yahoo.com
(951) 600-2908
