Born and raised in rural North Carolina, Charis grew up bleeding Carolina Blue and baking cat-head biscuits. She attended college and graduate school in South Carolina receiving undergraduate and master’s degrees in education. During this time, she also earned her Mrs. degree from her amazing husband, Joel Bauman.

After college, Charis began teaching at Wren Middle School where she and Joel quickly fell in love with the Wren community, discovered CBC, and began serving in the youth group. In 2023, God opened the door for Charis to start a counseling internship at CBC while receiving her biblical counseling certification, and in 2024, she began serving alongside Joel as the Student Ministry Coordinator. Biblical counseling and student ministry coordinating have allowed Charis to develop her passions and spiritual gifts through discipleship, teaching, and counseling. She is currently in the final phase of her ACBC certification and plans to continue her education in counseling once the certification is complete.

Charis is passionate about helping women understand and embrace their identity in Christ as they navigate the difficulties and joys of life. She values deep conversations over good coffee, a perfectly baked chocolate chip cookie (gooey on the inside, crunchy on the outside), long walks, puppy cuddles, writing, and time with Jesus. When she’s not doing school or counseling, you can find her cooking/baking, reading, gardening, or hosting friends and family around her table or fire pit.