Anchored in Faith
Called to Equip and Shepherd
When Elder Candidate Chuck Parrish was invited to consider becoming an elder at Center Church, he didn’t take the invitation lightly. “An elder position felt like a huge calling,” he said. But as he prayed and participated in meetings with the current elders, something stirred in him. “The more I was around these godly men, praying and talking through church matters, the more I sensed—this is where I want to be.”
Chuck’s heart for the church is deeply rooted in his passion for helping people discover and live out their spiritual gifts. “When people find their fit in the body of Christ, it brings joy—not just to them, but to the whole church. I love helping people uncover that.” As an elder candidate, his vision is clear: to build up a church where every person serves with passion and purpose. “We were never meant to spectate. When people are equipped and empowered, the church becomes what it was meant to be.”
Led by the Spirit, the journey to Center Church
Chuck and Karen have lived in Libertyville for 25 years, but their journey to Center Church was not immediate. They first encountered the church at a community event, but didn’t get involved until years later, when a friend told them, “The Holy Spirit is working at Center.”
Karen had already been praying, writing in her journal more than once: “Lord, lead us to a church where your Spirit is free to move.” When a friend echoed those very words, they knew it was time to revisit Center Church. “We walked out after our first Sunday back and we both said, ‘This is it, this is where God wants us.”
From First Impressions to Deep Belonging
On only their second visit, Pastor Mark met them in the foyer. Chuck gave a polite answer to the standard “How are you?” But Karen responded more honestly: “Life’s been hard. Our son was just diagnosed with a brain tumor and he’s home for treatment.”
To their surprise, Pastor Mark immediately stopped and prayed for their situation. “We were thankful for how quickly he cared for us. That moment left a lasting impression. We knew then that Center was a caring church where we could make new friends and serve God.”
Anchored in the Word, United in Marriage
Chuck and Karen have been married 48 years, weathering sorrow, uncertainty, and hardship—not by avoiding struggle, but by building their life on Scripture. “Early in our marriage, we determined that the Bible would be our guide,” Chuck said. “God wrote the book on marriage, so we committed ourselves to follow it.”
That choice became their foundation. As the spiritual leader, Chuck led in prayer, Bible study, and helped navigate trials with biblical wisdom. “Even when we didn’t have answers, we would pray together and search God’s Word for wisdom and direction,” he said. Karen added, “Chuck’s steady faith anchors mine.”
They regularly share what God is teaching them, reflect on sermons, and check in with each other spiritually. “If something feels off, we go to the Lord and to each other,” Chuck said. “We don’t try to fix everything ourselves anymore,” he said. “We know where our help comes from, it comes from the Lord.” Karen added, “Sometimes I’ll pray, Lord, I know you see what’s happening, would You help us?” I’ve learned to bring Him into the moment.”
Their unity comes not from ease, but shared surrender—rooted in Scripture, shaped by prayer, and held together by love and respect. “We truly enjoy each other,” Chuck said.
When the Waves Come: Learning to Trust
Years ago at Lake Michigan, Karen watched in panic as two young girls in her group were caught in a strong current. As she ran into the water, she cried, “Jesus, I need you,” realizing her own helplessness and God’s power.
The girls were rescued, but Karen was weighed down by guilt. “I focused on my failure instead of what God had miraculously done,” she said. That experience taught her to shift her focus: “I learned to trust His faithfulness over my failure and focus on Jesus rather than myself.”
Through later trials—her health, their son’s diagnosis, and unexpectedly losing Karen’s parents—Chuck and Karen saw God’s steady hand. “Even at our lowest, He was there. As difficult as these times have been, they allowed us to experience God’s presence and care up close. These times have matured our faith and deepened our trust in the Lord.
A Personal Awakening
Chuck experienced a spiritual awakening mid-career, when work in the family business consumed him. “I developed an unhealthy desire to accumulate things for security,” he admitted. “I was lulled to sleep in my faith.” It wasn’t until he started journaling during a very low point that the truth hit him. “I saw what I had let into my life, and I knew I had to give it all back to God.”
But that wasn’t the first time God got his attention. Years earlier, Chuck had encountered Jesus in the quiet of a late-night drive, after a brush with trouble at college. One verse—tucked into care packages from his mother—surfaced in his mind: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).
That verse pierced his heart. “That wasn’t the kind of life I was living,” Chuck said. “It broke me—and saved me.” From that moment on, his life was never the same. John 10:10 remains a life verse for Chuck, a reminder of the turning point when grace rewrote his story—and the lens through which he now views his calling to help others experience that abundant life.
Discovering Gifts in a New Season
In retirement, Chuck and Karen have embraced service more than ever. Chuck finds joy in welcoming others, while Karen supports behind the scenes with encouragement and organization. “Our gifts work together,” Chuck says, “We both want people to feel like they belong.” Serving together, they aim to finish strong—not for themselves, but out of faithfulness. They are encouraged by Hebrews 12:1, “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”
Friendship Through Service
Some of their deepest friendships have come from serving together. “That’s where you can really get to know one another,” Karen shared. “Serving together creates space for connection, healing, and growth.”
Chuck encourages others to invite their friends and neighbors to attend what he calls “side doors”—low-pressure events like church picnics or breakfasts. “I’m often surprised at how open people are to being asked. It’s a great way for them to experience the community at Center.”
Rooted and Real: Why Center Church
Both Chuck and Karen speak with gratitude about Center Church. “It’s loving, accepting, and real,” Karen said. “We’ve made deep friendships here.” Chuck adds, “Each week, Mark’s preaching encourages and challenges us to apply God’s Word in our life. It gives us something to think about during our quiet time throughout the week.”
Karen reflects, “We like to take notes during the sermon, but it’s really easy to snap a picture of any key points or applications on the screen. Then we can review what was taught later”.
In a world of distraction and self-sufficiency, Chuck and Karen’s story is a reminder: a life built on God’s Word, shaped by faithful service, and refined through hardship is a life that can endure—and flourish.
Their encouragement to others is simple but profound: “Say yes. Be honest with God. Find your gift and use it. God is faithful, and He’s not finished with any of us yet.”
