About Chris

I was born and raised in the DFW area by parents who faithfully love and follow Jesus. Their love and leadership served as the beginning and bedrock of my belief in God, faith in Jesus, and love for the Church.

By the time I was in college, however, my personal faith had morphed into prideful legalism. I was a moralist, not a Jesus follower, and I used the Bible as a manual for behavior rather than a way to know God and His love for me and the world. I was bound by my selfish pride and judgmentalism, alone, and anything but free. 

Thankfully, through the lives and friendships of two fellow freshmen, God showed me again what life with Jesus could look like. Their real-time relationship with Jesus was both compelling and intriguing to me. I knew stuff about God, but they actually knew God. 

God challenged and invited me to trade my commitment to myself for commitment to Jesus: to surrender my religious observance for devoted discipleship. I accepted His invitation, and I began reading the Bible with this question and prayer: "God, can you be known?" God's answer has been a resounding "Yes," and by his gracious presence, I'm no longer alone, and I'm free.

Since college, I've lived in Louisiana, California, Arkansas, and now we're back in Texas (God is good!). I've been married to my wife, Kerry, since 2012, and we have two children, Jacob and Emma. Together we're trying to follow Jesus well, knowing that he is the King and our only true hope.

I don't always live into the freedom Jesus won for me, as I still battle worry, fear, and control. But the more I surrender to Jesus, and the more frequently I remember his resurrection and look forward to his return, the better I'm able to settle with him into the daily joy of being his kid, loving my family and others well, and being devoted to his good mission in the world, for his glory, others' good, and my joy.

Our family is grateful and excited to be at Citizens and to join this community in the joy and work that God has called us to.

My Hope for Citizens Church

My hope for us is that our stated mission — to enjoy God, love people, and make disciples — will be our true, daily experience as we walk and work with the Spirit of Jesus, together and individually.