Pastor Charlie Muller

Category: Heroes
Published: November 2007

Charlie Muller was a carefree boxer until the day he heard a higher calling. Now, he's making a real difference to the at-risk and the less fortunate in Albany.

When we sit down at our Thanksgiving table, it is hard to imagine that, in this glorious country, we have 10,000 starving people in the upstate New York area. How can this happen, when we live in such a thriving area and the economy is on the rise?

One local man is doing something about our poor and starving children in Albany. Charlie Muller, an evangelist and ex-boxer, is taking it to the streets, trying to make a difference. Not a preacher by upbringing, this man was called by God and given the vision and determination to help the poor children in the deprived, drug-infested neighborhoods of downtown Albany. Charlie Muller was a semi-pro boxer who, like any other athlete trying to make a name for himself, was involved with the fight game. He lived the life of a tough, young boxer, enjoying himself to the fullest with no concern for others. At age 24 he made a commitment to serve God. Through street smarts, good business sense and hard work, Charlie has changed his life and the lives of thousands of young children and adults in the Albany area whom he feeds and shelters.

Charlie was doing well and had a successful car business when he announced to his new wife that he was going to become a pastor and help save those who were lost. After Tammy, Charlie's wife, had him checked for early signs of insanity, she joined Charlie in his quest to open a church in downtown Albany and make a difference. Like any good businessman, Charlie had a plan; he purchased a building at 118 Quail St. in Albany, renovated it with no discernible funds, and had a grand opening for his first service... only to have a mere three people show up the following Sunday. But perseverance and ingenuity helped Charlie to raise capital and begin a JC club which fed over 70,000 meals to at-risk children last year alone.

This is not your normal soup kitchen. Charlie has an emergency vehicle that delivers over 400 meals a day to at-risk people. "The school and local city try to help and feed the kids during the school days. But what happens on the school holidays, summer vacation, and weekends? There is no one home to feed the kids and care for them. That is where we step in and give the at-risk kids a place to go. We provide healthy, nutritious meals to inner-city children, linked with activities that will enhance their cultural and societal experience. " The feeding center is located at 63 Quail St, Albany. A second location is being renovated at 25 Warren Street in downtown Albany. Charlie has spent the last six years acquiring this and other properties and renovating them with the aid of volunteers. Many of the volunteers, as well as some of his paid employees, were once street drug addicts, alcoholics and thieves. Homeless and begging for food, they fed their alcohol and drug habits by preying on the city and its people. These young men and women are now productive members of society, determined to make a difference on this earth and help their brethren.

Pastor Muller received the Jefferson Award last year in Washington as a tribute to his successful programs and his vision to help those who are less fortunate in the Albany area. Many other churches throughout the country are requesting that Charlie write a book about his success. CNN is also working with him to do a feature story about his tremendous program and the positive effects for our city.

Charlie is using his rigorous fighter's training and his hard-knock business sense to build his church, as well as to reach out to the children and others in need in the Albany area. He is making a remarkable difference in the neighborhood, helping others to help themselves while his people provide food, shelter and hope to those in need. Pastor Muller is looking to expand his operation to include feeding the elderly, and is planning to set up another feeding center and shelter for them. This hero is making a difference in our local society with hard work and love for children and his fellow man.