Chuck Norris finished strong. He was so much more than an action-movie hero or a cultural meme. He was a hero of faith in his home, in his friendships, in the culture, and to the world. This karate world champion and movie tough guy became a model of surrender to Jesus Christ. A passion for Christ and for helping others marked his life. As a mature man, he surrendered his life to Jesus and became a model, mentor, and motivator to millions of men around the world.
Perhaps unknown to many who only knew him through the thousands of "Chuck Norris jokes" Chuck was in reality the model for what we read in James 1:25: "But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does."
It was later in life that he and my dad, Ed Cole, became friends - and as Chuck said, "my mentor." Chuck and his wife, Gena, attended a CMN seminar. Chuck studied. Chuck learned. It was tough. But Chuck put into practice what Dad and other great leaders taught him. His marriage thrived, and his life became a model of consistency and Christlike manhood.
Chuck became a real hero not because he was the toughest man on film, but because he did the toughest things in life that any man can do — admit need, listen to instruction, and humble himself to change. That's the message CMN brings to millions of men around the world. And to you.
Just two weeks before my father died, Chuck and his wife Gena and his son Michael chartered a plane to come pray over dad. Chuck later wrote, "I will never forget or take for granted Ed’s influence upon my life as a Christian, husband, or father. He influenced me to increase my trust in God, to be a faithful husband and father, and even though I was a “TV tough guy,” Ed challenged me to be a real man. God loved me through Ed Cole, and I thank God for him. And I look forward to thanking Ed again when I see him one day in heaven."
As a man who came to vibrant faith mid-life and then went after it like he did anything else - with all of his heart, Chuck has joined those great men of God who went before us.
Let’s learn to live like Chuck did - fully committed to follow Jesus.
Finishing strong.
We honor his memory as a true man. A real man. The epitome of Christlike manhood.
Paul Louis Cole
