Guiding weary hearts toward refuge and leaders toward compassionate care.
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As a ministry leader, author, and speaker, I've spent my career bridging the gap between Sunday morning and Monday's struggle. My calling is simple: to remind weary souls that God has not forgotten them—and to help churches become places where pain isn’t hidden but held with compassion. |
My Story
I grew up in a home marked by fear and abuse, where pain had a loud voice and God often seemed silent.
As an adult, chronic illness and depression became familiar companions. My daughter’s autism and epilepsy continue to deepen my understanding of what it means to suffer without simple answers.
A failed suicide attempt became a turning point that forced me to decide whether I truly believed God was good.
I still believe He is.
Since then, I’ve been learning what it means to live with both pain and peace—to find refuge in God’s goodness even when life stays hard. It’s not about pretending everything’s fine, but about discovering that hope and healing can coexist with struggle.
That conviction shapes everything I write and teach.
My Background
I’m a ministry leader with seminary training, an author of several books on faith and suffering, and a TEDx speaker who believes listening can change what’s possible. More than 18,000 readers follow my work as I explore what it looks like to walk with God in the real world.
What I Believe
I don't know it all. Feel free to remind me of this fact.
Every person should be treated with dignity, whether or not I agree with them. Each person is uniquely created in the image of God—and this extends beyond anyone aligning with my political views, theology, or favorite pizza.
The God of the Bible is good every day, all the time, no matter what. I embrace the tension of a loving God who cares deeply for me, even while I live in the midst of a clearly broken world.
No single condition can describe or define any person. My daughter is autistic and epileptic, but she is also SO MUCH MORE. Anyone who cannot see that, does not see my daughter. And so it is with all of us.
Prayer and Scripture are valuable tools in our battles, but so are medication, counseling, community, and transparency. We need every tool working toward healing, not competing with each other.
The church should be a refuge for the hurting, a place where the depressed can serve, the anxious mom can lead a small group, and the schizophrenic is loved unconditionally.
You might believe differently than me. You're welcome here. In fact, we need you to add to the discussion!
“Both conversational and honest in his style, Chris weaves Scripture and spiritual wisdom throughout this warm and gentle book. I came away thinking this: We are all disheveled souls, but God still loves us and there is always hope.”
- Susy Flory, New York Times bestselling author and coauthor
“Chris has a rare ability to connect deeply, his words were gentle yet powerful, reminding us that healing and peace are found when we rest in God's goodness. I was moved by how much his message resonated with everyone.”
- Esther Degbe, Ghana, Acting Project Manager, Youth Alive For Christ
“When he shared about almost taking his life and being in the psych ward, so many parents and kids… felt at that moment safe… to ask questions they've never asked before.”
- David Ruybalid, Discipleship & Outreach Pastor, Life Church Peoria
Connect With Me
If you lead a church or organization:
I'd love to partner with you to bring honest conversations about faith and hardship to your community without shame, judgment, or clichés.
If you're navigating a hard season:
Subscribe on Substack for reflections on finding refuge when life doesn't make sense.
If you want to go deeper:
Explore my books for stories of resilient faith through suffering.
Wherever you are in your journey, may you find a little more refuge here.