From Darkness to Light

Going from ten years of drug dealing and addiction to a drug composed of animal tranquilizer and rocket fuel known as PCP; watching his friends die from overdoses and gun battles in a self-styled culture where only the strongest survived gave Charles Hamilton an appreciation for what would become the second half of his life.While living in this darkness Charles was busted for possession with intent to distribute PCP and cocaine in Southern Maryland and went before Judge Bowling at the Charles County Courthouse. Facing multiple years of hard time after his conviction, Charles Hamilton was sitting in the courtroom pondering his dismal fate awaiting sentencing when a representative from The Teen Challenge Drug Rehabilitation Program in Washington DC named Neal Washington entered the courtroom and began pleading with the judge on Hamiltons behalf.Judge Bowling decided to release Mr. Hamilton to Teen Challenge for thirty days to clean up his unstable condition before returning him back to the court for his decision. When Charles came back to the courtroom, Judge Bowling sentenced him to Teen Challenge with the stipulation he finish the program and graduate in lieu of a stiff prison sentence.Thus began an incredible journey as Charles later asks Jesus to come into his life, forgive his sins, and make him a new creation with Christ as Lord of his life. Teen Challenge proves to be the toughest set of trials Charles Hamilton ever encountered. Charles is tested daily as he tries to put off the old man and his deceptions and replace them with new Light through a daily study of the Word of God. Charles travels to seven states and Canada with the Teen Challenge Choir testifying about the power of God to change peoples lives. Speaking at churches, jails, schools, auditoriums, concerts, military bases, and nightly witnessing in different homes where the traveling Teen Challenge Choirs company resided, brought Charles Hamilton into a life of faith and love in Jesus Christ that is ongoing today-thirty one years later.Yes, you can crawl out of sins grip into a holy walk with God.... one that lasts forever!