I’m getting close to the release of my historical book… this blog will consist of random journal entries and inspirational thoughts extracted from my exciting life and message! Enjoy!

Chuck And Emily Balsamo

Chuck and Emily’s story is one of great inspiration! As you read this biography, notice the handiwork of God even before Chuck and Emily met each other and before they met Jesus. From their distinction of character and quality of family life to their business and ministerial success, Pastor Chuck & Emily are a rare find in this 21st century!

As a child, Chuck picked up many of the business principles and work ethic that would carry him into a lively future of tremendous success When his family purchased Walnut Hills Campground when he was just twelve years old, Chuck became their most productive employee as he took on loads of responsibilities, including reservations, store management, grounds and maintenance, and everything else that encompassed running a business of this size!

Unfortunately, Chuck picked up more than business skills during this time. An early marriage due to the pregnancy of his seventeen-year-old girlfriend and a lifestyle of drug use and alcohol addiction drove Chuck and his new wife Emily down into the gutter! With nowhere else to turn and no knowledge of God, they decided to try “religion…” and after many weeks of seeking for truth… Sunday night, Feb 17th, 1991, at 10:45pm while on the phone with an old high school friend, Chuck and Emily turned their lives over to Jesus Christ!

This newfound faith supercharged Chuck’s entrepreneurial mind, giving him and Emily the desire to make a legendary difference with their lives! At the age of 23, Chuck went into business as a real estate agent in Staunton, VA. By the end of their second, full year in real estate, Chuck and Emily had already achieved a six digit income… and it didn’t stop there!

Through one-on-one coaching with the number-one real estate coach in the nation, they developed one of the most powerful and profitable residential real estate offices in America! By year four, the Balsamos were enjoying income near $250K. In year five, at the height of his success-when the business was on track to close 160 sales and earn more than $400K-Chuck took a giant leap of faith out of business into full-time ministry!

Over the past seven years, Chuck and Emily have been to India, Uganda, Ukraine, Dominica, Mexico, and many other parts of the world, where thousands have been transformed at their meetings and festivals!

Emily’s unique compassion for the millions of orphans across the world is certain to have them planting numerous orphanages in the future! Emily plans to make these orphanages so much more than a place to house the neglected. Her vision to establish training centers that build identity and develop advanced leadership qualities in the lives of these precious children is truly exciting!

And what about their family, you ask? They have a son, Coree (18), and a daughter, Heaven (16)… both love Jesus with all their hearts and both have promising futures! Coree and Heaven are loads of fun, big pranksters, and huge dreamers… they love to laugh! The Balsamo’s are far from perfect, though. Just like any other family, they have their share of challenges and growing pains… so don’t saint them yet! Let’s not forget their two dogs, a chihuahua named Chica and a pug named Ming Mi… and an assortment of Koi fish!

Today, Chuck and Emily pastor Destiny Family Center, a vibrant, victorious church in Stuarts Draft, VA. In just a few years, DFC has become a solid force of local and regional influence, impacting more than 300 people every Sunday morning.

Chuck leads and instructs the Destiny Campus of Life Christian University, offering full accreditation through the Doctorate level. Chuck currently holds his Master’s Degree with LCU and hopes to earn his Ph. D. by the end of 2009! He is currently working on his first book, Make Me a Legend, which should go to print in the fall of 2009. Chuck also blogs every day at www.chuckbalsamo.com where he brings daily humor and inspiration to beautiful people from all over the earth.

During his highly motivational meetings, the Spirit of God COMES, bringing joy, healing, salvation, and absolute transformation to everyone present! Enjoy the blogs, come to a live meeting, anticipate the book! Pray for Chuck and Emily as they endeavor to INSPIRE tomorrows better world!