Chris grew up in Hudson, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland. He met his wife, Kate, at Hillsdale College, where Chris earned a BA in Classical Studies. He completed two degrees at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, a Master of Arts in Religion as well as a Doctor of Ministry.
Chris and Kate joined Westminster as members in 2009 after Chris became a teacher and athletic director at Veritas Academy in Leola, where he served for five years. Chris was ordained and became Westminster’s Youth Pastor in 2013. The Westminster congregation elected Chris Senior Pastor beginning in 2020. As Senior Pastor, Chris’s primary responsibilities are preaching and teaching God’s word, providing leadership and vision for Westminster’s ministries, and shepherding Westminster’s leadership and staff. Chris and Kate now live in Leola with their five children, Alana, Drew, Ben, Annette, and Kristiana (Tia).
Chris is encouraged in his ministry by John 15:4-5, which says, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”
Chris’s primary responsibilities include:
- Chief Overseer of the Congregation
- Primary Morning Preacher
- Moderator of Session
- Liaison to Worship Committee
- Ex-Officio Member of All Standing Committees
- Leads New Members Class
- Oversees Pastors and Delegates Duties
- Oversees Staff with the Executive Pastor
