A SHINING LIGHT: PROFILE OF A ROARING LAMB--CHARLIE "TREMENDOUS" JONES
By Evelyn Hinds

FAITH THAT WORKS AT WORK

"I, too, am of the Way," Charlie "Tremendous" Jones whispered to Fred Smith years ago at the first time they met. Fred had just spoken at Charlie's meeting of insurance professionals and remembers. "I had no earthly idea of what I'd said that made him think that I was a believer." Those two Roaring Lambs identified each other and have remained friends throughout the years.

A Roaring Lambs is one who exemplifies Christ in the marketplace. Charlie is this year's nominee to be honored October 29, 2005. He has had a career as an executive in the insurance industry, a humorous motivational speaker, author, and as an entrepreneur in the bookselling business.

My first introduction to Charlie was through Garry and Janet Kinder. Charlie addressed the Bent Tree Bible Study group as he gave his testimony and told about his book business. His humor and fast-paced delivery made the time fly as we enjoyed the fun. His trademark statement rang true with me. "You'll be the same in 5 years as you are today except for the books you read and the people you meet." He held up several books and kissed them and said, "Some of my best friends, I've never even met...Oswald Chambers, Spurgeon, Lincoln." Charlie has a way of expressing reverence and sincerity that caused that moment to be unforgettable to me.

That evening I followed up with Charlie at an Am way gathering where Charlie spoke again. I bought a $59 bag of books at the back of the room that was a starter pack of motivational books. Those books were based on biblical principles. My reading of them and the people I met in the books have proven Charlie's statement on the power of books.

Janet Kinder and I decided to go to Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania to see Charlie on his turf. In June we had the opportunity to meet the family and see the acreage, the library, the Christmas house, and the book business. He has an extensive library of Lincoln books as well as rare and antique volumes of every description. Charlie may be best known as a humorous motivational speaker but he says. "It's only a small part of what I do." At home he is a husband, father, grand father, Bible teacher, and seemingly tireless worker.

In the library Charlie sang and played on a rare portable piano used by the Salvation Army and on an antique player piano. Janet and I were assigned to sing along. I was at a loss but Janet sang and recited lyrics right on cue throughout our 3 day stay. His skill with music and the scope of his work make me a little more aware of his uncommon intellect. I ask his gracious wile Gloria. "Can Charlie just do anything?" She laughed as she said. "He tries to do everything." She added that he would have probably have had a career in music if circumstances would have been different.

Charlie and Gloria escorted us on a day trip to Lancaster where they grew up and married and on to Amish country and Hershey. Every place we went Charlie was busy encouraging the clerks and waitresses he met. We spent a considerable time in a bookshop where Charlie combed the slacks of used and antique books and found a shopping cart full to buy. Were they to add to his collection? No. they were bought to give away. That's Charlie. He's out to give away as many of the books and as much of the gospel as he can while he's here on earth.

Janet and I had a memorable Christmas in June experience at the Jones' Christmas house. It is a small house devoted to all kinds of antiquities that included toys, musical instruments, and a train set. Charlie uses the home to minister to inner city children at Christmas time. He went through his children's routine with us. Gloria and Charlie seemed to enjoy themselves as they sat with us on the small children's chairs and we all sang along.

If I didn't know a thing about Charlie I would still have to appreciate him because he sells great books at such reasonable, if not give-away, prices. His company Executive Books is on the cutting edge in internet business and wholesale sales. Charlie's expertise is the marketing end of the business and he is a very busy and hard working executive. However, once a week he opens his house at 7 am to businessmen who come for a truly unique Bible study.

Janet and I had the opportunity to join Charlie, Gloria, and the businessmen around the family room table. Every place had a Bible and devotions from Chambers and Spurgeon. Each person took their turn reading passages that Charlie had planned out. In reading the scripture. Charlie would often say to the next reader. "Would you explain that passage a little better for us?" Eplanation other than the actual scripture is forbidden so we would simply repeat the verses with more expression. Janet and I were amazed with how effective the technique was and both of us were motivated to try it with a group sometime.

"How tremendous is the power available to us who believe in God." (Ephesians 1:19 Phillips)

Charlie is "Tremendous" as a light in a dark world. As a speaker he communicates truth faster than most of us can think. His ability to communicate a reverence for God and God's handiwork in people is something to experience.