INSPIRATION + REVELATION

BUILDING THE CHURCH IN CHICAGO + BEYOND

Charlie Dates

“Life is designed to be lived in the purpose for which God created you.”

— Pastor Charlie Dates

MEET PASTOR CHARLIE

Blessed to serve in the city in which he was born, Reverend Dr. Charlie E. Dates is Chicago through and through. Raised on the southside of Chicago, he came of age having welcomed Christ into his life early. Heavily influenced by the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, W.E.B. Dubois, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, and Mary Mcloud - Bethune, Dr. Charlie’s orientation and early formation were significantly bent toward the theological reflection of Black people. This shaped his approach to preaching and his thoughts about the transformative role the Black church plays in bringing about the flourishing of a people.

CONNECT W/ PASTOR CHARLIE ON IG

In my experience, he was as gentle in person as he was dynamic with his pen. A mighty tree has fallen. See you on the other side, Tim Keller. (My favorite is Prodigal God. It’s all marked up somewhere in the library.)
Happy 12th Birthday to Charlie! What a gift to our family and beyond. Love you, Son!
Installed. May 6, 2023. Such a treasury of love and fellowship. Thank you, Dear Lord. Thank you, my family. Thank you, friends. Thank you, Pastor and Mrs. Meeks. Thank you, @salem_chicago. Way too many joyous pics to post. Text me if you want t
Congratulations, Pastor @jamesmeekst!! Proud of you, your faithful labor, and for running hard at the end of your pastorate. It’s a big deal to do this in this season. @wheatoncollegeil #WhatADay
It has started. Will you pray for us? Super thankful for the @salem_chicago and all of her striking kindnesses to me and @kirelis and @thedatesroyals Thankful for those who came to start the celebration off last night. Just waiting on Pastor Jam
One Chicago preacher who made it (Dr. Marcus Cosby) and another one who is trying to make it (me). Dr. Cosby is part of a small crew who has excelled as a soaring successor to a planting/founding pastor in our rich tradition. He’s kind to sha
Shout out to Matt and Danielle for a stellar evening and inspiring cause! What a night! …and there’s only one Shonta.
Big Ben and the Preacher Twin. EST. December 18, in the 1900’s. @benjaminswatson