About Dr. Chris

If you’re a pastor or leader quietly wondering, “How much longer can I keep doing this?”—you’re not alone. Dr. Chris Stephen knows the feeling. He’s lived the highs and lows of ministry for over two decades: the exhaustion after Sunday, the unspoken pressure to hold it all together, and the quiet questions that creep in when burnout feels closer than breakthrough.

Chris has served in nearly every role the church offers—youth pastor, worship leader, youth pastor, and campus pastor. He’s preached the sermons, led the teams, buried the saints, and navigated the messiness that never makes it into leadership books. More than titles, he carries the scars and stories that come from walking with people—and himself—through pain, pressure, and purpose.

That’s why pastors and leaders trust him. He’s been where they are. And he’s stayed—by the grace of God, by doing the hard work, and by learning how to lead from a place of presence, not performance.

Chris’s mission is personal: to help leaders become whole again. He coaches pastors to build resilience, avoid burnout, and thrive in ministry for the long haul—with Jesus at the center of it all. He holds a Doctorate in Ministry and Master of Theology from Southeastern University, and a BA in Communications from USF—but it’s his honesty, empathy, and faithfulness that leave the biggest impression.

At the core of his calling is his family. Chris and his wife Erin, along with their kids Ava, Kori, and Tucker, remind him daily that leadership starts at home—and that no stage or platform is more sacred than the dinner table.

When he’s not coaching or preaching, you’ll find him on the golf course, in the gym, or catching a baseball game—because Chris believes healthy rhythms and honest conversations are the keys to lasting impact. And joy? That’s not optional. It’s essential.