H.B. Charles Jr. (born February 11, 1973) is an American Baptist pastor, author, and preacher based in Jacksonville, Florida.
He has been pastor-teacher of Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church since 2008. He is best known for his expository preaching, his book On Preaching, and the Cutting It Straight Expository Preaching Conference.
H.B. Charles Jr. at a Glance
| Education | |
|---|---|
| Seminaries | The Master’s Seminary; Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary |
| Degrees | Not published in sources found |
| Ministry | |
|---|---|
| Title | Pastor-Teacher |
| Church | Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church, Jacksonville and Orange Park, Florida |
| Denomination | Baptist |
| Since | 2008 (previously Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, Los Angeles, 1990 to 2008) |
| Network | Council member, The Gospel Coalition |
| Website | hbcharlesjr.com |
| Career | |
|---|---|
| Books | 10+ including On Preaching, On Pastoring, It Happens After Prayer |
| Media | On Preaching podcast, Cutting It Straight radio and podcast |
| Net worth | Unverified online estimates of $1 million to $5 million |
Early Life and Background
H.B. Charles Jr. was born in Los Angeles to Dr. H.B. Charles Sr. and Ellen L. Charles. His father was a Baptist pastor. His son later got the same initials.
He gets asked what H.B. stands for on day one. His answer is short: nothing. Those two letters are on his birth certificate, driver’s license, and passport.
Preaching at Eleven
Charles grew up in a preacher’s home. Sources differ on when he was baptized. His church says age six. He has said age eleven in his own video.
The public part is not in doubt. At 11, he began preaching at Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles. His father and the church’s men supervised him. He has joked that he wouldn’t recommend starting that young.
Losing His Father at 16
His father died in June 1989. H.B. was 16. His church bio says that loss left a personal and ministry gap in his life.
Mount Sinai spent a year searching for a new pastor. On November 5, 1990, the church picked the late pastor’s son.
Education
Where Did H.B. Charles Go to Seminary?
H.B. Charles Jr. attended The Master’s Seminary and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. That is how The Gospel Coalition lists him. Neither the church nor his own site gives degree names or graduation years.
Ligonier Ministries calls him “Dr.” in a teaching lesson. His earlier profile said he continues to seek further education. Beyond that, treat degree claims from other sites with caution.
Ministry and Career
Eighteen Years at Mount Sinai
Charles took over Mount Sinai as a 17-year-old high school senior. He led it for almost 18 years. His father had pastored the church for about 40 years.
He has said the men who nurtured him taught him how to pastor. His biggest early mistake, he says, was thinking he was the pastor.
Moving to Jacksonville in 2008
Charles first spoke at Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church over Memorial Day weekend in 2008. He didn’t want the job. He says he warned the search team he wouldn’t come if the church called him.
Shiloh was in a crisis he calls a scandal. He prayed on the flight there and became convinced God was sending him. The church called him unanimously on July 30, 2008, after a seven-month search.
He moved his family from Los Angeles that fall. He was installed on November 12, 2008. He says he didn’t expect to last more than three years. In 2024, he marked 16 years.
Where Is H.B. Charles Jr. Pastor?
He is pastor-teacher of Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church in Jacksonville and Orange Park, Florida. The main campus is at 1118 West Beaver Street, Jacksonville. The church is old. One directory says 1875, and a state archive record shows 1878.
He is mainly responsible for preaching, vision casting, and leadership development. Jacksonville is also home to First Baptist Church, once led by Jerry Vines, so it has a deep Baptist preaching tradition.
Denomination: Is He Southern Baptist?
H.B. Charles Jr. is a Baptist. His Los Angeles church was a Missionary Baptist congregation. One 2015 church directory lists Shiloh as Southern Baptist Convention. The church pages I found don’t state an affiliation, so check with the church before printing that label.
Preaching, Conferences, and Media
Charles is known for expository preaching. He defines it as preaching where the point of the text is the point of the sermon. That idea runs through his work.
- He hosts the Cutting It Straight Expository Preaching Conference in Jacksonville. The 2014 lineup included Al Mohler, Bryan Carter, and Bryan Loritts.
- He hosts the On Preaching podcast and the Cutting It Straight radio show.
- He is a featured teacher on Ligonier’s Blessing and Praise series about benedictions and doxologies in Scripture.
- He is a Council member of The Gospel Coalition.
- He posts new blog articles two to three times a week.
Books and Publications
| Book | Notes |
|---|---|
| On Preaching | Guide to preparing and delivering sermons |
| On Pastoring | Short guide to living and leading as a pastor |
| On Worship | Short guide to corporate worship |
| It Happens After Prayer | Biblical motivation for believing prayer |
| The Difference Jesus Makes | Faith and everyday situations |
| Psalms of Trust | Latest listed book |
| Getting Right With God | Author |
| Reaching God’s Goals for Your Life | Author |
| Treasures of Truth | Author |
| Power in the Pulpit, Secret Sex Wars | Contributing author |
H.B. Charles Jr. Songs and Music
Does H.B. Charles Jr. Write Songs?
Yes, he writes and leads songs alongside his preaching. He wrote and led several songs on the album Joe Pace Presents: H.B. Charles Jr. and the Shiloh Church Choir.
“The Lord Bless You” Benediction Song
He also wrote a benediction song called “The Lord Bless You,” taken from Numbers 6:24 to 26. A video of it went up on YouTube in January 2020.
The song fits his habit. He closes services with that Old Testament blessing: “The Lord bless you and keep you.” He teaches that every blessing comes from the Lord, and that the blessing is all you need.
Famous Quotes by H.B. Charles Jr.
Charles is quoted most for short lines about preaching and pastoring.
- On why sermons work, he says the Word is the reason our preaching works, not the other way around.
- On calling, he tells young men: “If you can keep from preaching, do it.” In his view, a calling you can walk away from probably isn’t one.
- On discouragement, he says diligence defeats it.
- On size, he says a pastor’s success can’t be measured by how big the crowd is.
- On pastoral friends, he says the most important people are those you can be honest with.
Beliefs and Ministry Philosophy
Is H.B. Charles a Calvinist?
He hasn’t used the label in any source I found. He presents himself as a Baptist pastor and expositor who stresses biblical authority and doctrine.
His circle leans Reformed. He sits on The Gospel Coalition’s council and teaches for Ligonier. His sermons also appear on Monergism. That shows shared ground with Reformed leaders. It doesn’t prove he holds every Calvinist doctrine, so ask him directly if you need a firm answer.
Expository Preaching
He came to expository preaching gradually. His father and his father’s friends were textual preachers. Over time, his own preaching moved from textual to narrative to expositional. He credits mentor Louis Patterson as a major influence.
Personal Life
H.B. Charles Jr. married Crystal Moreland on December 12, 1998. They have three children: H.B. III, Natalie, and Hailey. He jokes that his kids are “terrorists,” then corrects himself and says they’re the best.
He is the third generation of preachers in his family. His father was his pastor and mentor. He moved his family from one city and one church, Los Angeles, to a place where they knew nobody.
Influence and Legacy
H.B. Charles Jr. is known for expository preaching and for training young pastors. Cutting It Straight exists to train and model faithful Bible exposition. His On series of short books covers preaching, pastoring, and worship for working pastors.
He also stands out for how young he started. He preached at 11 and pastored at 17. He has since led two churches, one in Los Angeles and one in Jacksonville.
H.B. Charles Jr. Net Worth
H.B. Charles Jr.’s net worth is unverified. Celebrity sites guess between $1 million and $5 million.
Shiloh doesn’t publish his pay. Royalties, speaking fees, and salary aren’t public. Treat any figure you see as a guess/estimates.
Interesting Facts About H.B. Charles Jr.
- The “H.B.” stands for nothing.
- He gave his own first sermon at age 11 and says he wouldn’t advise it.
- He became a pastor at 17 while still in high school.
- He warned Shiloh’s search team he wouldn’t come, then moved anyway.
- One of his tips for pastors is that long naps help with spiritual warfare.
- He wrote and led songs for a choir album.
H.B. Charles Jr. Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1973 | Born February 11 in Los Angeles |
| 1984 (approx.) | Begins public ministry at age 11 at Mount Sinai |
| 1989 | Father, Dr. H.B. Charles Sr., dies in June |
| 1990 | Called as pastor of Mount Sinai on November 5 |
| 1998 | Marries Crystal Moreland on December 12 |
| 2008 | Called to Shiloh on July 30; installed November 12 |
| 2014 | Cutting It Straight conference draws speakers like Al Mohler |
| 2020 | Releases the video of “The Lord Bless You” |
| 2023 | Marks 15 years at Shiloh |
| 2024 | Marks 16 years at Shiloh |
Frequently Asked Questions About H.B. Charles Jr.
What denomination is HB Charles Jr.?
He is Baptist. His Los Angeles church was Missionary Baptist. One directory lists Shiloh as Southern Baptist Convention, but the church pages I found don’t confirm it.
Where is HB Charles Jr. pastor?
He is pastor-teacher of Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church in Jacksonville and Orange Park, Florida. He has served there since 2008.
What is H.B. Charles Jr.’s church?
Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church. The main campus is at 1118 West Beaver Street, Jacksonville, Florida.
What are some famous quotes by H.B. Charles Jr.?
He often says the Word is the reason our preaching works. He also advises men to keep from preaching if they can, since a real call won’t let go.
Who is a famous Black preacher in Atlanta?
Martin Luther King Jr. at Ebenezer Baptist Church is the best known. Raphael Warnock, Creflo Dollar, and Jamal Bryant are also well known. H.B. Charles Jr. is not an Atlanta pastor.
Is H.B. Charles a Calvinist?
He hasn’t publicly used the label in sources I found. He is a Baptist expositor who works closely with Reformed groups like The Gospel Coalition and Ligonier.
What is H.B. Charles Jr.’s net worth?
It isn’t verified. Online estimates run from $1 million to $5 million, but none show sources.
Does H.B. Charles have a Wikipedia page?
I couldn’t find a dedicated Wikipedia article for him. His own site, Shiloh’s site, and The Gospel Coalition profile are the best sources.
Does H.B. Charles Jr. have songs?
Yes. He wrote and led several songs on a Shiloh choir album. He also wrote the benediction song “The Lord Bless You.”
What is “The Lord Bless You” by H.B. Charles Jr.?
It is a benediction song he wrote from Numbers 6:24 to 26. It matches the blessing he speaks at the end of his services.
What is H.B. Charles Jr.’s education?
He attended The Master’s Seminary and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Degree names and years aren’t published.
Where did H.B. Charles go to seminary?
The Master’s Seminary and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
What is HB Charles known for?
He is known for expository preaching, the On Preaching and On Pastoring books, and the Cutting It Straight conference. He also became a pastor at 17.
How old is H.B. Charles Jr.?
He is 53. He was born on February 11, 1973.
How old is a pastor?
There is no set age. H.B. Charles Jr. became a pastor at 17. Most churches look for spiritual maturity and a clear call, not a birthday.
Why did Charles Stanley’s wife leave him?
Anna Stanley said in a church letter that he had put other priorities first. She filed for divorce in 1993 and again in 1995. The divorce was final on May 11, 2000. This is a different pastor from H.B. Charles Jr.
