Reflections on Becoming a Centurion

Nearly 4 years ago, I heard Chuck Colson speak for the first time. I was at a large counseling convention and he was one of the plenary speakers. He talked about worldview and promoted a program he was passionate about--the Centurions Program. Chuck had a vision to raise up leaders from around the world who could speak prophetically into the culture at large. Each year, 100 people were selected to go through this rigorous program. I remember thinking to myself, if I ever have a chance to become a Centurion I will do so, but I did not give it much more thought.

In the intervening years, I have began to study apologetics in greater depth. I completed the Ambassador Basic Curriculum through Stand to Reason, the apologetics certificate program through Biola University, and the Foundations of Apologetics Course through RZIM, which I coupled with readings and audio materials. The information I gathered was  beneficial, but it was really just information.  There was no real opportunity to interact with those involved with these programs.


Last spring, I decided (finally) to apply to the Centurions Program. Shortly after I applied, however, Chuck passed into glory. I confess there was a part of me that wondered whether I should withdraw my application, but after some soul searching, I realized that Chuck was not the reason I was applying, it was the training (though I do look forward to meeting him some day). And so I began.

Centurions is an intense year. There is a lot of reading and writing about topics relevant to worldview. Each month, there are also conference calls where we heard from Christians working in a variety of contexts. For example, we heard from Joel Belz of World Magazine on interacting with the press and Joni Erickson Tada on ministry to persons with disabilities.

Aside from these opportunities, there were two program highlights for me. First, there is an online forum for the Centurions. I took full advantage of this community. I learned from what others posted. I was challenged to examine my own views on theological and cultural issues. Most importantly, however, was that I have developed, or I am developing, friendships with other Centurions from around the world.

The weekend residencies were the second highlight. Twice during the year, our Centurion class would descend upon Landsdowne, Virginia for three days of intensive training in biblical worldview. I expect these weekends are similar to standing in front of a fire hose. I was blessed to hear from many different speakers and to engage with my colleagues, or shall I say my friends, from around the world. Rather than single out the strengths of each of the faculty, let me just say they each bring a well developed understanding of worldview and a passion for Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God.

I cannot recommend this program strongly enough. It is intensive hard work. It will help you to sharpen your thinking, enflame your godly affections, and engage in work for our King. If you choose to do this, I promise you will never look at the world in the same way again.

And that is a good thing. 

Koukl on Colson

Greg Koukl is one of the people I consider most influential to my own thinking. I have learned a lot from his materials.  Today, he shared his thoughts about Chuck Colson.  He wrote,

On Saturday while at a conference in Seattle, I was waiting to do my next presentation when I received a text message from Melinda.  It simply said, “Chuck Colson is in Heaven.”

After a few moments of deep, very mixed emotions of sadness and happiness, the first phrase that came to my mind was, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” I texted that single line back.

Though I knew Chuck—we had worked together a number of times—we were really more colleagues on a first-name basis than friends.  Even so, it was hard to be around him at all and not be influenced by him.
I first met Chuck in the early 90s when I was interviewed in D.C. as a potential writer for Breakpoint.  I didn’t get the job, but I did have a brief audience with Chuck.  Though he was entirely gracious and cordial, I was a bit tongue-tied, being in the presence of genuine greatness.  And Chuck Colson was a great man, in all the important ways.

We had both become Christians the same year (1973), and when Born Again eventually came out I devoured it.  It was a vivid testimony of the power of God to take a powerful and prideful man and transform him into a powerful and humble servant.

Around ten years ago I heard Chuck reflect that his years were numbered, so he resolved to redouble his efforts, dedicating his remaining time to do anything and everything he could to build the Kingdom of God.  He didn’t want to waste a moment or squander an opportunity.  He wanted to leave a legacy, not for his sake, but for Christ’s sake.

When Chuck fell critically ill, someone on our staff wondered who would replace him.  I simply said, “No one.”  I didn’t mean Chuck Colson was indispensable.  Nobody in the Kingdom of God plays such a role.  I simply meant he was utterly distinctive, making a singular contribution at a defining moment in history.
Chuck Colson was a man I looked up to.  He was someone I learned from, not only from his books, but even more from the example of a life well-lived, a man laboring faithfully for Christ.  I was instructed by his stature as a Christian statesman, and by his tireless, humble, service for the cause of Christ.

Chuck Colson didn’t just run the race well.  He finished the race.  May we each, by God’s grace, do as well as he, and hear—as he did—when we cross the line: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Thank you Chuck

I am too young to remember Watergate. As a result of his involvement, however, Chuck Colson went to prison and in prison, he became a Christian.  Since then, he has developed a 35 year legacy of ministering to prisoners, reforming prisons, challenging corruption, and above all, pointing people to his Savior.  I did have the pleasure to hear him speak live one time and the effect of that short talk on me was profound. He was talking about the importance of Christian worldview and mentioned the Centurions Program he started. By coincidence, I have applied for admission to next year's class.  I also read a few of his books.  I could not put down his book called The Faith. 

He died today. He will be missed by those of us left behind, but he is now face to face with his savior.  If you are interested in reading further:

Remembering Chuck Colson

Tom Gilson's thoughts at The Gospel Coalition

Chuck Colson Taught Trevin Wax how to think

Ed Stetzer's thoughts

Christianity Today

He was, according to biographer Jonathan Aitken, he was America's best known evanglical after Billy Graham.