“You can preach, but if you don’t live out the mission, there is no effect,” said Charlie Schnabel, a member at First United Methodist Church in Brookings, South Dakota.

Charlie began his faith journey at the United Church of Christ in Eureka, South Dakota. He attended with his family and became involved with the chapel choir. When Charlie was in high school, he continued singing in the choir and helped his pastor with various tasks, including pulpit supply, when the pastor was on vacation.

After high school, Charlie attended Yankton College. He graduated in 1970 with a degree in Mathematics and Sociology. Charlie then served three years in the Army and learned a lot about serving others.

Charlie and members of First UMC in Brookings preparing for a bed build. Photos by David Stucke, Dakotas Conference.

Once he returned from the Army, Charlie began to focus more on his faith relationship and how to intentionally act it out. After moving to Brookings, he attended a Catholic church for a while before being invited to First United Methodist Church by some friends. Charlie was pulled in again by the choir ministry, just like when he was younger. Through the choir, he was able to share his gifts and get to know the church members in a deeper way.

Charlie has found his place at First UMC in Brookings. The church graciously and excitedly supports all the missions Charlie is passionate about.

The mission that Charlie is exceptionally passionate about is Sleep in Heavenly Peace, a charity focused on providing beds for children in need. Shortly after the Brookings chapter completed training, Charlie got involved with Sleep in Heavenly Peace in 2018. He attended a bed build at Lowe's Home Improvement Center in Brookings, and his heart immediately knew that Sleep in Heavenly Peace was a mission he wanted to be involved in.

At first, Charlie was involved on his own, but once members of the church found out about what he was doing, they wanted to get involved as well. When Rev. Pete Grassow saw the church’s passion for this cause, he knew they had to bring Sleep in Heavenly Peace to the church. You can read about how Brookings First is living out the mission here.

Charlie is overwhelmed by the support the Brookings community has given to Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP). Thanks to their generosity, SHP was recently able to move to a bigger building and can now set up 36 sanders at once.

Sleep in Heavenly Peace represented at Annual Conference 2024.

The Brookings chapter is fortunate to have many local quilt groups providing quilts for each delivered bed. Along with a handmade quilt, the beds are supplied with bedding and a fleece blanket. More recently, the chapter has started to include a book and a stuffed animal with deliveries to make the experience even more personal to the children.

Charlie describes delivering beds as a magical experience. “When you get to go to a bed delivery and the kids are there with their parents, it is hard to leave with a dry eye,” he said.

In addition to his work with SHP, Charlie is also involved in Solar Oven Partners and drives part-time with the Brookings community transit.  Together with a group from Brookings First UMC, Charlie will soon visit the Solar Oven Partners workshop in Raymond, South Dakota, to help build solar ovens.

Charlie credits his servant heart to watching his mother work as a nurse for many years. He says, “I saw her working so many shifts all those years. She worked so hard. I think our whole family was just raised that way. You just see something that needs doing or could use your help, and you pitch in.”

Through his service, Charlie has learned that the most important thing is to treat people well, no matter who they are.

See photos of the 2023 Brookings UMC - SHP bed build here.