Author and lay minister Charmaine Carstens has released her inspirational new book, Growing with Grace: A Woman’s Journey from Confusion to Confidence in Christ, launched at Wine Unlimited in Alberton on October 12.
The book promises readers a journey into testimony and learning.

A long-standing member and lay minister at the St Francis of Assisi Anglican Church in Meyersdal, Charmaine is deeply rooted in her community, and that connection shines through in her writing.

Through Growing with Grace, she aims to “invite readers to find faith in the middle of life’s disruptions and to trust that grace often does its best work in broken places.”

“All you need to do is show up, because God shows up when you do. This book is for anyone who feels unseen, uncertain, or unworthy. Grace meets us exactly where we are and transforms us from the inside out,” she added.

Charmaine is the mother of two sons, Marvin and Ian, and a mother-in-law to Megan.

A widow, she lost her husband, Ozzy Carstens, to Covid-19 in 2021, a loss that reshaped her understanding of faith, purpose and healing. That experience became the spiritual soil from which Growing with Grace was born.

With nearly three decades of experience in education, leadership, and mentoring, Charmaine has helped countless people redefine their purpose and rediscover their identity.

“Growing with Grace extends that mission, blending storytelling and spiritual reflection to explore the tensions between control, surrender, and divine timing,” she said.

The book journeys through chapters such as The Performer Begins, Cracks in the System, and Lost in Transition, tracing the cost of overachievement and the beauty of letting go.

Later chapters, including The Awakening Coach, Death, Disruption and Divine Provision, and Rising from the Ashes, reveal a woman who learns that faith is not found in perfection but in the quiet, consistent act of showing up and allowing God to work.

Published by Toochi Global Influence Limited, Growing with Grace has been described as tender, relatable, and spiritually grounded.

It offers a roadmap for those navigating change, loss or identity shifts, reminding readers that God’s provision often comes disguised as disruption and that every divine detour leads to growth.

For enquiries, contact Charmaine on 083 658 9771 or charmaine@oschar.co.za