Charles has been serving First Baptist Church as minister of music since 1991. He earned a Bachelor of Music from Carson-Newman College in 1979 and a Master of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1983. Charles and his wife, Kim, who serves as organist and Sanctuary Choir accompanist, have been partners in music for 30 years and partners in marriage and ministry for 26 years. The have two adult children, Scott and Katie.