Occasionally God puts people in our lives that make a difference, a huge difference in our spiritually development. Charlie Riggs was such a person for me. He passed away Monday, July 21 at the age of 92. He was a friend to Billy Graham and a long-time BGEA team member. Charlie taught more people how to share their faith in Christ than any human who has ever lived! I know that seems like a grand claim. But it can easily be proven.
I first met Charlie in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. At that time he was a already a living legend among the Billy Graham Team members. I was straight out of Seminary and working my first assignment for BGEA. We shared only a brief conversation, but I was struck by his humble walk and sincere manner.
Later, while working as Coordinator of Counseling and Follow-Up for the Billy Graham Team in Tallahassee, Florida, we had much more interaction. I was as green as you can get, working in my first actual Crusade (Amsterdam was a conference for evangelists). Charlie was a seasoned veteran. He chose to spend time with me to try to teach me how to be a better follower of Jesus. I will forever be grateful.
We worked in many crusades together after Tallahassee, but I will never forget how this seasoned soldier was willing to take a risk on me and allow me to learn and grow.
Franklin Graham wrote of him: “Charlie was an author, teacher, prayer warrior, mentor and friend to many. He modeled the life of a Christian soldier and left his mark on all those with whom he invested his time and wisdom. He was honest, direct and stretched people to be all they could be in Christ and encouraged them to use Scripture in application to everyday life. He often said, ‘Through my ups and downs, God has become very real to me. I would like Him to become very real to others.’ Even after he retired, he continued to be a friend and mentor to those he had known for decades, even ministering weekly until he was 87 years old in four prisons in Canon City, Colorado, where he had retired.”
Those of us who knew Charlie well often share “Charlieisms”. He was a reservoir of wisdom. A Charlieism is one of those pithy statements loaded with punch and spiritual insight. Let me share two that I’m particularly fond of.
Charlie said, “You don’t have a ministry. Your life is your ministry.”
By that he meant “You cannot share what you don’t possess” and “your life speaks far more powerfully than your mere words.”
Another one of which I’m particularly fond is, “Always try to be in over your head.”
By that he meant, “Unless you are attempting something for God that is far beyond your ability to pull off in your own power, you are not living by faith.”
Charlie’s legacy lives on in me and dozens of others that he impacted personally. May a double portion of his spirit rest on all of us!
Insight for the Journey 
Hey Rex – I am preparing a series on “Standing on the shoulders of Giants.” Just for fun I Googled Charlie Riggs and low and behold i found your blog. So nice to connect. Drop me a line.
Dan
Rex: I just now (7/3/10) read your tribute to Charlie Riggs. I was going thru some old books and came across “Learning to Walk w/ God” … reading it now … I work on staff with FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) in Nashville (have since ’73) … I first met Charlie when he directed the ’79 Nashville Crusade (he was just a couple yrs older than me now/61)… I was involved with the Crusade Cmt and had several Bible studies with Charlie … in the two short years he was in Nashville, he sure impacted my life … encouraged me to do that “wisdom” study in Proverbs … where you make 3 columns (Sources, Characteristics, Benefits) and list the wisdom insight under each … I’ve shared that w/ so many … I’d like to keep you with your blog … I’ve known Danny and Anne Lotz for over 30 yrs, as was with them yrly at FCA Camp in Blk Mtn … love you blog … you’ve good practical, solid stuff … The Lord bless you, Rex, in your ministry there …
Steve Robinson/Nashville
Rex,
Thanks for the words about Charlie Riggs.
He had a real influence on my life also.
I met him for the first time in Anahiem Calif.
I called him and ask if I could Counsel at that Crusade. I told him I would come to the Christian Life and Witness classes. He told me to come ahead. Which I did.
had such a good time and met some real Christians. Charlie’s brother , who had a real influence on him, died while he was working the Crusade. We all had prayer together. I just will never forget his teaching. I worked other Crusades also including the one in Tallahassee. When I went I didn’t know a person, but always felt the true Christian love at the Crusades.
I revew the Christian Life and Witness course that Charlie did every now and then.
It is such a wonderful teaching.
May God continue to use you, and thanks for the blog.
In Jesus name
Fred Jr.
Fred Cross,Jr.
f cross2@cox.net
I am of a much younger generation than Mr.Riggs, but recently came acros Learning to walk with God at my grandmothers home. I have recently been struggling with the Enemy about some key factors in my faith, and church, this book has truly helped me to see truth in the word like never before and hopefully to experience more victory! What a spirit filled man he must have been.
I am trying to find copies of Practicing His Presence by Charlie Riggs. I have a copy and would like more to distrubute among my Bible Students. My email is vrmcompany@hotmail.com.
Thank you.
The legacy continues as he was a man who reproduced spiritually. I am blessed by that heritage. Charlie discipled Gene Warr in OKC who then worked with Dr. Mike McGee, who in turn invested in me. As God often works miracles – my father-in-law Dr. Tom Phillips was discipled by Charlie as well. Praise the Lord for men such as Charlie who saw what God was doing and joined Him in the lives of guys he encountered. With kindest regards, J. Matthew Brown, Johnstown, CO
I was pastoring in Plattsmouth, NE when Charlie Riggs came to Omaha in 1964. I attended the counseling classes in Omaha. What a powerful teacher. I enjoyed the classes and the Crusade and Choir. God bless his memory.
Marvin Moberly, Bartlesville, OK
We met Charlie at the 1985 Hartford,Ct BGA Crusade..he told us his son had chosen to refuse Christ as savior & chose to be in another religion..we told him we would always pray his son would come to Jesus as Lord & Savior..we had both helped the crusade as children counselor & sell books during the crusade..Did his son ever accept Jesus as savior?Please let us know..Thankyou..Charlie was a very sweet man..we had coffee with him after the crusade at Dunkin Donuts..we will never forget our special time him..
I was Charlie’s personal attendant and friend and was with him the nite he
passed away… in loving memories of him, john henshaw.