First Baptist Greensboro is excited to introduce our new Associate Pastor of Youth & Families: Rev. Chris Cherry. Chris was received by unanimous vote of the Congregation on Sunday, March 11. Chris will begin his work at First Baptist as he and his wife, Tory, move to Greensboro following the birth of their daughter, who is due mid-May.

In sharing with our Congregation in worship, Chris said, “Our faith is most real and most alive when we take it out of the box and wrestle with it. I’m a minister today because many of the people I’ve met on my journey taught me how to wrestle with my faith, so I’m not interested in giving youth easy answers. I’m a minister today because I want to equip youth with the tools they need to find answers for themselves. I want to help youth engage the world around them. I want to help youth discover their voice. I want to help youth learn how to find their passion and to connect those passions with what God is already doing all over the world.” You can view all of Chris’ statement to the church here.

Read below to learn more about Chris and his ministry. We hope all First Baptist members will share in the joy of this day, and join us in prayer for the Cherrys, as well as for our Youth and Congregation, as we prepare for the life and ministry ahead.

About Chris

Chris comes to First Baptist Greensboro with a decade of experience in youth ministry, having served churches in Kentucky, South Carolina, and Georgia, most recently as Minister of Youth & Young Adults at Middletown Christian Church in Louisville.

In addition to his congregational experience, Chris is a respected voice in youth ministry circles, having contributed writing and curriculum for several organizations and publications.

He is a graduate of McAfee School of Theology (MDiv in Christian Education, 2013) and Georgetown College (BA in Religion, 2009).

Amidst many talented Candidates, our Search Committee was consistently drawn to Chris, due to his rare combination of experience, relational gifts, vision and call for youth ministry, and depth of theology and faith.

 

Ministry Experience

Minister of Youth and Young Adults
Middletown Christian Church, Louisville, Kentucky, 2015-2017

Minister of Students
St. Andrew’s Baptist Church, Columbia, SC, 2013-2015

Youth & Children’s Ministry Associate
Smoke Rise Baptist Church, Atlanta, GA, 2010-2013

Campus Ministry President
Georgetown College, 2008-2009

Internships
St. Matthew’s Baptist (Louisville, KY) & Calvary Baptist (Lexington, KY)

Camp Staff
PASSPORT, Inc.

Writing and Curriculum
Writing and curriculum development, including with D365, Formations for
Youth, and PASSPORT, Inc.

Ordained to the Ministry in 2013

References

“The shining things about Chris include his absolute commitment to relationships with youth, his pastoral instincts and care to youth and families who are struggling, the brilliance of his theological approach to youth ministry and faith development, and his passion for justice and a better world. He is proactive, organized, detailed, and a person of great integrity. Your church has a gift.”
David Emery, Senior Minister, Middletown Christian Church

“Chris Cherry is one of the most thoughtful ministers I know. He is smart, creative, deep and relational. He is an organized minister who sees the big picture of where his ministry should go, but pays attention to each person right in front of him at a given time. Chris will build a youth ministry program that is thoughtful, inclusive, meaningful and relational.”
Marnie Fisher-Ingram, Associate for Youth and Families, River Road Baptist Church, Richmond, VA

“Chris brings considerable gifts to his ministry. Teenagers here loved him, and sought him for counseling, friendship, and encouragement. He dealt with sensitive issues with teenagers and parents with grace and love—a hallmark of his relationships. Chris is wise beyond his years.”
Fred DeFoor, Minister of Music, St. Andrew’s Baptist Church, Columbia, SC

“If I could hire any youth minister in the country, it would be Chris.”
Tomara Brown, Former Intern Supervisor at St. Matthews Baptist, and Pastoral Colleague at Middletown Christian

A Word from Chris

When Tory and I think about the kind of church we want to raise our daughter in, we’re looking for a place rich in tradition with a clearly articulated identity who is not afraid of new challenges and is willing to ask good questions. We also look for a place that is open and loving to all people, empowers youth and children, and feels like somewhere we can call home for a long time. FBC Greensboro is a place that’s alive, that
values their youth, and that’s ready to lead their community into the future. I look forward to getting to know you all, and I am excited to journey alongside the youth and families at FBC Greensboro as we challenge each other, ask good questions, and seek to grow in all aspects of our lives.