Chris has served Bethel as Lead Pastor since 2009.
Chris was born and raised in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area. He eventually became a mid-westerner after attending Wheaton College, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and then serving for 10 years as an associate pastor at Grace Church of DuPage in Warrenville, IL. His ministry focus was primarily with college students and mentoring pastoral ministry apprentices.
Chris and his wife, Beth, met at Wheaton College while on the girls’ softball and men’s baseball teams’ spring training trip to Coco Beach, FL (that first conversation may or may not have included sincere compliments…and batting tips). They’ve been married since 1996 and have five children. Chris enjoys dates with Beth, spending time with his kids (especially “daddy-daughter dates” with his girls and “dude time” with his sons), reading, Steelers football, Mediterranean food, running (actually, he enjoys what he listens to while running, and how he feels after he’s done running), working with his hands, fishing, and cool nights around the backyard fire pit.