Meet our new Associate Minister: Christopher V. Leak. As Chris introduces himself to us, you might discover some special interest or activity that you share. Use that as common ground to get to know him better and welcome him into our church family. For the next several times you meet Chris, introduce yourself again. He has lots of names to remember! Help him all you can!
Christopher V. Leak
My name is Chris Leak and I come from Rockingham, North Carolina. I am the younger of two sons of Thomas and Margaret Leak. Baptized as an infant, I was raised in the Methodist tradition in my family’s home church of 1st UMC, Rockingham. At the age of 12, I gave my life to Christ during a trip to Camp Tekoa, in Hendersonville, NC. I actively served in my church and youth group and participated in a Chrysalis Flight in my senior year of high school before graduating from Richmond Senior in 2001.
I attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in the fall of 2001 with hopes of becoming an architect. While there, I became involved in the campus ministry called Campus Outreach, through which I recognized God calling me to a vocation of ministry. I participated in three Campus Outreach projects of spiritual formation and practice, one of which led me to South Africa for two months where I and others taught students of the University of the Witwatersrand how to host Bible studies, lead discipleship groups and evangelize to others. In the spring of 2006, I graduated from UNC Charlotte with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Managerial Leadership.
In the fall of 2006, I began my seminary education at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. During my four years there, I was able to serve my community in a variety of ways which included hosting a weekly dinner for the student community of Asbury and serving in a prison ministry through the church I attended. During two of my summers in seminary, I served as a pastor’s assistant at 1st UMC of Hamlet, NC and last summer, I preached in the Grand Teton National Park as a volunteer staff member for A Christian Ministry in the National Parks, a ministry that provides worship throughout the National Parks in the US. I graduated from Asbury Theological Seminary this past May with a Masters of Divinity degree.
My interests and hobbies include most outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, golfing, running, hiking and camping. I also enjoy watching and playing sports, of which my favorite team sport is volleyball. I play guitar and like most types of live music. I enjoy spending time with friends and getting to know people over a plate of my favorite food, Barbeque. I am looking forward to my time at 1st UMC, Washington and serving both God and His people there.
Sincerely,
Chris Leak