FAQ    

Reaching Beyond, Inc. and Reaching Beyond the Breaks Ministries were established by Charlotte Russell Johnson. She is a writer, author consultant, motivational speaker, and Christian evangelist. She has had an active prison ministry for more than fourteen years. The Columbus, GA native has worked with numerous non-profit and state agencies. Ms. Johnson served as the New Connections to Work Coordinator at Columbus Tech when the school began a collaborative partnership with other state agencies to change the face of welfare. Later she served as the Community Resource Development Coordinator for Region VIII with the Department of Family and Children Services. Her efforts led to a former welfare recipient being selected as the woman of the year by several local radio stations. Additionally, Ms. Johnson was selected citizen of the month by The Columbus Times Newspaper and Columbus Bank & Trust Company. Her work has encompassed helping inmates, victims of AIDS, teenage mothers, and substance abusers. The author was instrumental in establishing Teens Empowerment Awareness with ReSolutions, Inc. (TEARS). She continues to reside in Columbus, GA. Ms. Johnson has B.S. in Health Science with a minor in Criminal Justice from Columbus State University where she graduated Phi Kappa Phi and magna cum laude. She was one of the first recipients of the Kennon and Parker Academic Scholarship from Columbus College. Additionally, she received several honor's awards. She received her Master's Degree from Troy State University in Community Psychology in Counseling. She is currently pursuing a D.Min. in Christian Counseling. She has also attended the graduate program of Southern Christian University and Beacon University. However, she states her GED remains her proudest degree. The author was born on February 3 to the union of Evelyn Alexander and Herman Russell Jr. The author has two children Earline andd Herman. Earline works closely with her and serves as the CEO of Reaching Beyond, Inc. Her mother, Evelyn Russell works closly with her in ministry. Ms. Johnson has toured numerous states with her books. She has also spoken extensively at colleges, universities, civic organizations, prisons, and churches.

How Much do You Love Him

Do you love Him enough to trust Him when He requires that you surrender everything? To whom much is given much is required. Because of the abundance of grace shown towards me, God placed within my heart to share a struggle that was swept under the rug. I never wanted to write A Journey To Hell and Back. The book was delayed for more than eight years. It was only after my back was against the wall that I was obedient to God. For two weeks almost non-stop, I cried as I typed the story that would expose Charlotte Russell. My grief was caused by the fact that I am no longer Charlotte Russell but Charlotte Johnson. For the first time in years, I felt the pain of being a Black Sheep. This poem Black Sheep, Black Sheep was my consolation straight from the throne of God. A Journey To Hell and Back was written for those who need to know that there is life after death; there is life after failure; there is life after sickness; there is life after divorce; and there is life after prison. Ultimately, victory came from the struggle. The events were shared so that those who need spiritual, emotional, and physical healing may be encouraged to seek life after hell.
He has required that I offer my life as a source of encouragement to every mother who has a wayward child, every woman who has been abused, every teenager who is confused, every person who has given up hope, every person trapped in a comfort zone, and every person who has lost faith. Rather than curse the darkness, I have chosen to light candles, and thus begin to rise from the ashes of a life that literally burned itself out. This act of obedience cost me everything, yet it cost me nothing. What do we have that He didn’t first give to us?

From the heart of Charlotte


Purchase a copy of A Journey To Hell and Back