Thank you for visiting my site! Longtime visitors will recognize much of the content here from my previous site. Since many of the posts from the old site still receive considerable traffic, I have made it a point to port much of that content over. It is humbling to know that visitors continue to find my content useful, though I do believe my writing has improved since those early days.
This would not be much of an “about” page without sharing a bit about myself so here goes! I began blogging in 2007 and since then have posted hundreds of articles. If you peruse the archive you’ll find posts focused mainly on various theological topics. Much of that content was written during my journey through seminary and reflects that journey. More recent posts focus on leadership, discipleship, worldview, and issues in Christian higher education. Occasionally there will be posts addressing current events in our nation or in other parts of the world always from a Christian point of view.
In 2016, my family and I relocated from Woodstock, GA to Valdosta, GA where I began my ministry at Northside Baptist Church as Education and Evangelism Pastor in January of that year. In April 2018, I transitioned to the role of Administration Pastor where I provide business and operational support to the senior pastor, pastoral staff, finance & personnel teams, and the congregation as a whole. Additionally, I served as the Sunday School director for the Valdosta Baptist Association, a role I begin in April 2016 and handed off in September 2019, and as a member of the Board of Visitors for Truett McConnell University which I began in October 2016. I am grateful for the seven years we spent in South Georgia! Late in November 2022, I announced my resignation from the amazing staff of Northside effective at the end of December to accept the call of Flat Creek Baptist Church to serve as their first Executive Minister beginning January 1, 2023. I recently concluded my role as Executive Pastor there with December 31, 2023 as my last day on staff. Though not an easy decision, we believe it aligned with God’s will for our lives and the church.
In January 2018, I began a three-year journey serving as vice president of the Georgia Baptist Association of Christian Educators (GBACE). In January 2019, I became president-elect of GBACE and in 2020 served as president of the organization during which time I had the joy of leading the organization through a process of rebranding to become the Georgia Baptist Disciple-Makers Network. Also in January 2019, I began a five-year term as a trustee of the Georgia Baptist Foundation. At the 200th Georgia Baptist Convention, I had the privilege of serving as Chairman of the Committee on Resolutions which presented messengers with seven resolutions which all passed. God has blessed me with opportunities to use my gifts for His glory and I am grateful.
My education credentials include a Bachelor of Science (National Louis University), Master of Business Administration & Graduate Certificate in Financial Analysis (Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University), Master of Religious Education (Liberty University Rawlings School of Divinity, formerly Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary), and Doctor of Education from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. In the Fall of 2018, I began taking several classes with the University of the Cumberlands in their Doctor of Philosophy program to help round out my leadership training from an academic perspective. Finally, during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, I returned to The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary to complete an EdD-to-PhD bridge program that resulted in my surrendering the Doctor of Education and receiving both the Master of Theology in Practical Theology and Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership. My research focused on human development, specifically exploring the epistemological development of pre-ministry undergraduate students in secular universities. In January 2024 I began classes in Shorter University’s Master of Accountancy (MAcc) program.
The rise of social media has made the world seem like a much smaller place. As our understanding of the power of social media and its many uses continues to grow, I remain convinced that Christians must be actively engaged in the digital world. In fact, I have come to believe that engagement in the digital world is no longer an option for Christians, but is now an essential part of reaching the community around us with the gospel of Jesus Christ. To that end, in addition to this site, you can also find me on other social media platforms: Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Let’s connect!
Just a reminder that the opinions I express here are my own and not reflective of any organization with which I may be affiliated. Opinions expressed by others either in comments or as guest posts are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect my views on the topic at hand.
I am eternally grateful to those who have been with me these many years. May 1 Timothy 1:12-15 hold as much meaning for you as it does for me!
Pressing forward,
Chris