Rev. Charles A. Tillman is a native of Syracuse, NY. He later relocated to Meridian, MS where he was saved as a teenager under the ministry of Dr. Charles Johnson at the Meridian Fitkin’s Memorial Church of the Nazarene. In his senior year, Tillman felt called to the ministry. Upon graduation he attended Nazarene Bible College in Colorado Springs, CO.

After completing Bible College in 1982, Tillman planted New Life Church of the Nazarene in Richmond, IN. He led this dynamic new work for 13 years and received over 250 persons into membership. Tillman left this work in 1995 with an active membership of 150, and accepted the call to lead Friendship Church of the Nazarene in Memphis, Tennessee. Several new programs and ministries were implemented during his tenure. After leading Friendship for 7 ½ years, with a 125% increase in membership and giving, Tillman accepted a call to Richmond Woodville Church of the Nazarene.

In February 2003 Tillman began his tenure at Richmond Woodville COTN. Woodville has experienced about a 40% increase in attendance, membership and giving in response to his bold leadership. The Church has made significant improvements to its facilities, added several new ministries, purchased new equipment and acquired property for future expansion. Tillman also lead the Board in formulating a dynamic new strategic plan and revised mission statement. In 2003 he was also appointed the Virginia District’s Director of Black Ministries and given the task of planting new Black churches in Virginia. In 2009 he was appointed to serve as the National Black Recruiter for the Office of Mission Strategy.

Tillman serves as a member of the Board of Trustees for Nazarene Bible College and Eastern Nazarene College. He serves as a member of the National Black Strategic Readiness Committee. He graduated from the Richmond Police Department’s Faith Leaders Academy and is active in various community affairs. Tillman served on the Virginia District Advisory Board and currently serves on the Board of Ministerial Studies and Credentials. He is the former Chairman of the Southeast Region Black Nazarene Fellowship. He also served on the Tennessee District Board of Ministerial Studies. Tillman has served on many community groups and boards including, Earlham College’s Service Learning Center Advisory Board, Richmond (IN) School Superintendent’s Minority Advisory Board, United Way, Ivy Tech State College’s Minority Advisory Committee, Reid Memorial Hospital Home Health Care Committee and Young Life’s Urban Ministry Board

Reverend Tillman is an experienced educator and instructor and has served as an Administrator at 4 different colleges and universities, including: Manager of Enrollment/Student Support at Ivy Tech State College, Director of Student Life at Memphis College of Art, Vice President for Enrollment/Community Affairs at Crichton College in Memphis, TN, and Director for YouthBuild at Mid-South Community College in West Memphis, AR. He was an adjunct instructor at Indiana University East and Ivy Tech State College. Tillman has earned an Associate of Biblical Studies from Nazarene Bible College, a Bachelor of General Studies with a concentration in Social and Behavioral Science from Indiana University East, and a Master of Arts in Student Personnel Administration from Ball State University. Tillman has earned “All But Dissertation” status in the Department of Leadership at The University of Memphis. He is currently pursuing his Doctorate of Ministry at Asbury Theological Seminary.

Pastor Tillman is married to the former Georgia (Mae) Hudson and has three children: Charles II, Jonathan, and Adam. The Tillman’s have been married twenty-eight years. Tillman considers his family the foundation of his ministerial success and a constant source of encouragement.

Tillman is a Spirit-filled preacher and expositor of the Word of God. He has a distinguished record as pastor, educator, lecturer, community activist and evangelist. Tillman is an active speaker for revivals, seminars, lecture series and workshops. He has preached in various Christian Colleges and pulpits of many different denominations, including, but not limited to: Baptist, Church of the Nazarene, Church of God, Church of God in Christ, African Methodist Episcopal Church, Wesleyan and Presbyterian.