While preparing to go into the medical field, Chris sensed the call of God to care for the health of people’s spiritual lives. Having served in a pastoral role on staff in the church and on the university campus, the focus of his ministry has been on young people. Chris launched the Youth Ministries degree at Evangel University in Springfield, MO where he continues to serve as Professor of Youth Ministries and uses his lifetime of ministry experience to prepare future leaders, teaching courses in strategic youth ministry and church leadership. He journeys life with his devoted wife and his two awesome children.
Chris’ personal objective is to leave people better than he found them; to build relationships and serve the needs of people; to help guide and encourage people; to model a lifestyle that integrates Biblical values with every area of life; and to be dedicated to a lifetime of working for and with youth & college-age young adults. His educational objective is to educate the mind, encourage the heart, and inspire the soul of students so that they can reach their God-given potential to think critically with their heads, love God with all their hearts, and serve the world with their hands.
Professional Memberships & Noteworthy Community Involvement:
National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR), 2019-present
Association of Youth Ministry Educators (AYME), 2017-present
International Association for the Study of Youth Ministry (IASYM), 2009-2013
Association for Christians in Student Development (ACSD), 2004-2009
Intermountain Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls (IACURH), 2007-2009
Association of College and University Housing Officers-International (ACUHO-I), 2007-2009
Vice-President on the board of Network Ministries, Inc., 2000-Present
Board of Trustees/Overseers Member of Venture Church of Redmond, WA (new church plant), 2015-2018
Commencement speaker for Gloria Deo Academy High School graduation, Springfield, MO (2016)
Served on the Curriculum Design Committee for grades K-12, Gloria Deo Academy, Springfield, MO (2016)
Awards Received
2022 Illumination Book Awards Bronze medalist in the Ministry/Missions category for my book “Soliloquy No. 7: Addressing Hidden Influences That Quietly Erode Church Leaders”
Youth Mental Health First Aid Certification, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Certification, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
Counseling on Access to Lethal Means Certification (C.A.L.M.), 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
American Red Cross Wilderness & Remote First Aid, 2007, 2010
American Red Cross Small Craft Safety: Moving Water, 2007
Cum Laude (3.733 GPA) Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, 2004
Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, 1993-94
The National Dean’s List, 1990-91
Who’s Who Among Students in American High Schools, 1989-90
Royal Rangers Gold Medal of Achievement, 1988
Royal Rangers Certificate of Valor for Saving a Life, 1988
Links to Personal Website and/or Social Media Profiles:
https://pathbrite.com/cmcgough/profile
https://www.evangel.edu/programs/youth-ministries/