According to the records, Charles' primary church related activity after his ordination was as a messenger to the Bethel Baptist Association. In 1808, he was elected as a representative of Bush River Church to the Association. In 1809, he was elected or appointed Clerk for the group and served in that position continuously until his departure for Alabama in 1819. He also wrote the Associations' circular letter and preached occasionally to the group. This work was to serve him well later in Alabama and " . . . provided him with his organizational abilities. He was an indefatigable worker and was eminently qualified for his work."
Once in Alabama, Charles quickly attached himself to the Cahaba Asso-ciation of churches. He was instrumental in establishing the Alabama Baptist Convention and keeping it alive. He dreamed of a convention spanning many states, as the Southern Baptist Convention eventually did. It would appear that his vision and skills have their genesis in the experience and training he received in those years of service in the Bethel Baptist Association, and that God was preparing him for greater service later.
In 1819, Charles requested a statement from the Bethel Association re-garding his service with that organization, thereby recording for poster-ity a testimony to his character, energy and dedication. The statement reads in part:
"For nearly twenty years past he has been connected with Bethel
Baptist Association during which time he has been engaged in
faithfully dispensing the word of life which has been blest to the
awakening and conversion of many -- In the Association he has
been an active and useful member, having, for many years, been
clerk of said body. In his general deportment he has ever manifested
the Christian character."
" . . . We . . . do hereby recommend him to the Christian public, but
to those of our own faith and order, in particular, as a faithful and
orthodox Minister of the Gospels . . ."
"By Order of the Association from the 2nd to the 5th October 1819."
