Pastor Chris is a pastor, counselor, teacher, and mental health advocate with a passion for helping people experience the hope and healing found in Jesus Christ. His ministry is rooted in biblical truth, compassionate care, and the conviction that no one is beyond the reach of God's grace.

Chris's story is one of redemption. Raised in a broken home with little involvement in church, he struggled with drugs and alcohol from a young age. After achieving sobriety in 1996, he began rebuilding his life, but the effects of childhood trauma continued to shape many of his struggles.

In 1999, while attending his father's funeral, Chris experienced a profound spiritual turning point and recommitted his life to Christ. Shortly afterward, he and Jenny began attending church together, where Jenny also placed her faith in Christ. What began as a return to faith became the foundation for a Christ-centered marriage, a growing family, and eventually a calling to ministry.

Having personally experienced addiction, grief, trauma, and recovery, Chris understands that healing is often a journey rather than a single moment. These experiences have given him a deep compassion for people who are hurting and a firm belief that God's grace can transform even the most broken situations.

Since entering ministry in 2001, Chris has served churches in Idaho, North Carolina, and Virginia, providing leadership in preaching, discipleship, outreach, and pastoral care. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Bible and Ministry from Amridge University in 2005 and a Master of Arts in Christian Studies from Luther Rice Seminary in 2011. He also completed a Master of Arts in Professional Counseling at Amridge University, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 2026.

Licensed to the Gospel ministry in 2008 and ordained in 2014, Chris has a special passion for revitalizing rural churches. He enjoys helping congregations rediscover their mission, strengthen community connections, develop meaningful outreach ministries, and grow in spiritual health. He also planted a church in Chatham, Virginia, through the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia.

In addition to pastoral ministry, Chris serves as a Staff Development Specialist and Mental Health Therapist with Lifeways in Ontario, Oregon, specializing in trauma recovery. He is a frequent speaker at community events and conferences, where he explores the intersection of faith, mental health, leadership, and practical life application.

Chris and Jenny have been married since 1999 and are blessed with five sons and a wonderful daughter-in-law. As a family, they enjoy spending time outdoors, making memories together, and celebrating God's faithfulness throughout every season of life. Chris is also an avid wildlife photographer who enjoys capturing the beauty of God's creation through his camera lens.

Chris believes his greatest qualification for ministry is not perfection, but God's faithfulness. His prayer is that every person who walks through the doors of Midvale Community Baptist Church will discover the same grace, hope, and healing that transformed his life.