At home with Pastor Charlie
Paul Grondahl had a profile of Charlie Muller -- AKA Pastor Charlie, of Victory Christian Church in Albany; of the gun buybacks, and the trolleys, and the smoothies -- in the TU this weekend. It looks like Pastor Charlie's done OK for himself.
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I'm not the church going type, but the "critics" in that story really upset me. They think he's trying to be -and I quote- "the white saviour" because he has a nice house in the suburbs. In other words, they want to completely invalidate all of the positive work he's done and dismiss all the lives he's helped simply because 1) he's white 2) he doesn't live in Arbor Hill. Since when do you have to live somewhere in order to care/help/assist the residents? Should we move to Japan or Haiti after their natural disasters so that our aid can be "legit"? And rather than accusing him of trying to be "the white savior", maybe they should consider the fact that he's a man of faith, and perhaps he's just practicing what he preaches. /rant
... said TU reader on Jul 2, 2012 at 4:45 PM | link
I live on Grand Street and I walk past the ever growing complex of bulidings down there. For as long as I've lived down here I've seen people constantly doing construction work (including county inmates, which rubs me the wrong way) but no one ever actually USING any of the buildings. My friends and I all joked about the trolley that never got used, and then suddenly there are TWO trolleys that sit unused. There is certainly a ton of money being spent, but from what I've observed, no real work being done in the community.
... said Bill on Jul 2, 2012 at 6:27 PM | link
Paul Grondahl is an idiot for writing such a terrible article and the Times Union should be ashamed for letting it get printed as such. The story should not focus so much on Pastor Charlie Muller's life style and the fact that he is a white man (wow shocker) - He has done more good for Albany than anyone else I know. If you really took the time to get to know him and his family - you would know they all have huge hearts and faithfully serve the Lord. What has Paul Grondahl done to give back to the community? Paul should get right with God. Let us not loose sight of all there is to be thankful. Pastor Charlie is a good and faithful servant of God. Thank you Pastor Charlie.
... said Rich on Jul 3, 2012 at 10:14 AM | link
I took my son by the JC Club many many times to volunteer but it was never open - days, nights, weekends. Love the desire behind Pastor Charlie's mission, but not sure what actually gets done off-camera. Urban youth needs help and jobs and direction - is Pastor Charlie the only savior for them? Yes because Mayor Jennings ignores one side of Central Avenue, and only the police work those neighborhoods. I wish Pastor Charlie put his house and family in the city which he serves, but then again, city firemen, policemen and teachers don't live in the city of Albany either.
... said Uncle Laurie on Jul 3, 2012 at 11:40 AM | link
Two things one we run the JC Club every day 1st and Quail for Dinner and homework. Summer we work out of and feed in that sight. This summer we feed 20,000 meals throughout Albany. We pay a full time and a part time worker to run the JC Club. The two trolleys are parked down town in our lot they were on the road all summer taking children to park programs then we took kids to the pool. We had to pay a trolley driver and a helper for the summer. This was such a busy summer we also ran our motor cycle program out of the dream center. Our big building is our thrift shop that helps people with funiture and used items. For all my critics I welcome you to a reality check to come and see for your selves the work we do. Our trolleys will now transport children to after school programs. If any of you naysayers want to know the truth open your eyes a little wider and call me I will show you.
Pastor Charlie
... said Pastor Charlie on Sep 21, 2012 at 12:56 AM | link
I don't know Pastor Charlie from boo nor did I read the story Paul G. wrote. But I would like to know what Paul or any of his critics here are doing to help kids or the poor?
... said Jeff on Nov 27, 2012 at 6:06 PM | link
Why are there so many critics of Paster Charlie? Has anyone else taken the time to help the poor. He is really an angel in disguise. I am sick of so much negativity about his endeavors to help people. God bless you Paster Charlie. More men should step up to the plate to help you.
... said P.C. Begley on Oct 23, 2013 at 10:01 PM | link