charles smith

At an early age Charles Smith was impacted by the many styles of music that seemed to constantly fill the smith family home each day. Everything from gospel, blues, R&B to the sounds of jazz. Charles was most inspired by the sounds of jazz. At the age of 11 Charles began to discover his on music gifting developing his musical aptitude in the music programs of the Chicago Public School system as well as playing in local bands and ensembles.

By the age of 19 Charles was a budding young jazz guitarist with aspirations of following in the footsteps of many of the jazz greats who inspired him to play.

Although Charles grew up in a religious home he ran from God and the church for many years. All of that changed in 1983 when through the witness of some Christian musicians, who befriended him in college, God began to deal with his heart about who Jesus really was and what it meant to have a personal relationship with him. Charles recalls one awesome moment that was a turning point in his life. “One evening while I was on my way to a performance, a song came on the radio, The Question Is by the renowned gospel group the Weans. The Lord spoke to me. He visited me in my car and impressed upon me the urgency of giving my heart to him.” Shortly after this event Charles gave his life to Christ and began attending church regularly. Things began to change in Charles’s life and like many other musicians before him, he found himself desiring to express those profound changes in his music. In 1986 Charles married his best friend and the mother of their four children Carla smith. Together Charles and Carla are serving God in the ministry of the Liberty international network of churches based in Chicago under the leadership of Apostle Clifford E Turner. I have come to understand that the highest purpose for music is the worship and exaltation of God almighty. Every musically gifted individual on the planet received their gifting from God. His original intent for our gifts was that we would use them for His glory Helping hearts reconnect to him through music that releases his purpose, grace, healing, wisdom, power and love. The kingdom of God is designed to extend far beyond the four walls of the church into every facet of culture and society. John says in revelations 11:15 The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our lord and of his Christ. Music is one of those kingdoms.