It is with great joy and anticipation that we announce the arrival of our new senior pastor, Rev. Chris Bryant. We eagerly await Chris’s first Sunday with us, scheduled for July 21. Chris, along with his family, is already gearing up to relocate to Peachtree City, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome them into our community. Chris is joined by his wife of three years, Kara, a proud graduate of McIntosh High School right here in PTC. Together, they are parents to five sons, with the youngest two set to enter high school this fall.
With 28 years of pastoral experience, Chris brings a wealth of wisdom and leadership to our congregation. Most recently, he served as the senior pastor for Ringgold UMC, located just across the state line from Chattanooga, for six years. Prior to that, he spent 14 years in Cherokee County, including time as the Associate Pastor of New Church Development at Hillside for two years, followed by 12 years as the founding pastor of City on a Hill.
Reflecting on his journey, Chris fondly recalls visiting our former church campus on Windgate Road during his time as a student pastor at Candler School of Theology at Emory University. He shares, “I remember being in awe of what God could do and the possibility that maybe one day I would get a chance to serve him in a church like that… Wow. And now God has, in fact, sent me to this church!” Chris credits his dear friend, Rev. Dr. Clay Jacobs, former pastor at PTCUMC, as a significant influence on his path to becoming a church planter himself.
Chris is deeply committed to our community and passionate about fostering transformative Christian living centered on Jesus. In the coming weeks, we can look forward to hearing more from Chris as we prepare for his arrival. Please join us in prayer as we lift Pastor Chris and his family up during this transition. Let us also continue to pray for our church family and stay focused on sharing the hope of the gospel with our neighbors.
As we embark on this new chapter together, let us give thanks to God for his faithfulness and love for our church. May we be filled with gratitude and hope as we anticipate the blessings and opportunities that lie ahead. May the peace and love of Christ be with you all!
Eric Cooley
Lay Leader | Chair of the PTCUMC Leadership Board