Finding refuge
when faith feels hard
I help churches, Christian schools, and faith communities talk openly about pain, doubt, and mental health–so believers rediscover the God who remains steady and leaders feel confident guiding the conversations they’ve long avoided.
What your audience walks away with
✔ Courage to name what the church often avoids
How to talk about suffering, mental health, and unanswered prayer in a way that invites openness instead of fear
✔ A picture of God as refuge
Teaching that dismantles harmful myths and shows God’s steady, compassionate presence in the storm, not only after it
✔ Tools, not theory
Simple frameworks, questions, and practices leaders and families can use right away in conversations, small groups, and pastoral care
✔ Clarity on where faith and reason meet
A grounded understanding of how biblical truth and practical wisdom can work together so leaders stop feeling out of their depth or afraid of “getting it wrong”
Where theology, psychology, and lived experience meet
I know what it’s like when faith feels hard, to walk through seasons where the usual Christian answers fall apart. In my books and speaking sessions, I’ve wrestled out loud with the questions most people whisper:
- Where is God when the darkness doesn’t lift?
- What do I do when prayer doesn’t fix what hurts?
- How do I stay with God when it feels like He left first?
In all of it, I found something steady: God stays with us, even when life comes apart.
As a TEDx speaker, author, and seminary-educated ministry leader, that conviction shapes everything I teach. I help churches create the kind of refuge where people can name what hurts, feel genuinely understood, and find a faith big enough for real life.
“By courageously sharing his story, Chris opens a much-needed conversation about mental health, weaving personal narratives, theological insights, and practical guidance into a topic that has long been left in the shadows of religious communities.”
Marty Kaiser, Executive Pastor, Vineyard Church North Phoenix
“Chris tackles topics that churches and other groups need to hear, but are often afraid to address. He speaks with a pastoral heart to those who are hurting and to those who lead the church, guiding everyone toward a stronger sense of community and sensitivity.”
Kate Boyd, Author of Untidy Faith
“I was left feeling lighter, encouraged, and genuinely uplifted. It was exactly the kind of space we hoped to create. I’m really grateful for your time, warmth, and the grace you brought into the conversation. You made it feel authentic and deeply refreshing.”
Esther Degbe, Ghana, Acting Project Manager, Youth Alive For Christ
Creating Refuge Starts With Conversation
A healthy Church doesn’t hide the hard; it holds it.
This keynote is ideal for church gatherings, retreats, or conferences that want to normalize struggle and build a culture of refuge instead of performance. In this keynote, I share a clear, compassionate way to talk about pain, doubt, and hardship without clichés or over-promising outcomes.
Audience takeaways:
- A biblical picture of God’s presence in suffering that replaces shame with steadying hope
- Language for lament that makes honest prayer safe again
- A framework that pastors and leaders can use to talk about suffering without minimizing it
- Practical ways churches can become places of refuge where people feel seen and supported
Audience fit
Talks designed to help your community hold both truth and care, where people can share their struggles without losing their faith
Perfect for:
- Leaders who know “just pray more” is not enough, but are unsure what to say instead
- Faith communities processing grief, trauma, or a difficult season
- Youth, college, and camp ministries that need a trustworthy voice on mental health and faith
- Christian schools navigating student crises, anxiety, and burnout that want to better support families and staff
- Conferences, retreats, and summits that want to move beyond inspirational keynotes into practical and theologically rich teaching
Content that fits your setting, a core message you can trust
- Keynotes for conferences, chapels, and retreats
- Workshops and breakouts for leaders, staff, and volunteers
- Parent and family nights
- Q&A focused evenings that create safe spaces for hard questions
- Virtual sessions when in-person is not possible
Not Disqualified: Faith, Suffering, and God's Heart
When suffering enters the story, many believers quietly wonder if something is wrong with their faith. This talk explores what Scripture actually shows about hardship and how honest faith grows in the middle of struggle.
Your audience will learn:
- What Scripture actually says (and doesn’t say) about anxiety and depression
- A kinder, clearer theology that removes shame
- A simple 4-question framework for approaching overwhelming thoughts
Unshakable Faith: Helping Next Gen Build Resilient Hope
Parents and caregivers want to raise children with strong faith, but often struggle to talk about hardship without shutting down the conversation. This session equips families with practical tools for guiding honest faith conversations with kids and teens.
Your audience will learn:
- A framework that helps kids feel loved even when they’re not okay
- Conversation starters for hard topics
- How to partner with professionals without outsourcing the parent role
From Overwhelmed to Equipped: Leading Through Hard Conversations in Ministry
Ministry leaders often feel pressure to have answers when people are hurting. This session provides practical tools for guiding these conversations with wisdom, compassion, and presence while building healthier ministry environments.
Your audience will learn:
- How to listen without “fixing”
- Why treating people as equals changes everything
- Clear next steps for safer groups, ministries, and pastoral care
“Is this the right fit for our community?”
I’m the right fit if you want someone who will:
- Honor Scripture as the anchor while also drawing from neuroscience and evidence-based practice
- Name harmful clichés in Christian culture without attacking the church (Think "God won't give you more than you can handle". Spoiler: He absolutely will.)
- Create psychological and spiritual safety first, then offer clear guidance
- Give your people tools they can use the next day
I'm not the right fit if: You're looking for "just try harder" messages or someone who treats serious struggles as simple discipleship issues.
If you want a speaker who will handle hard topics with warmth, wisdom, and a bit of helpful humor, I'd be honored to serve your community.
Ready to create a space where weary believers feel seen, safe, and supported?
I'd love to hear about your community and explore how we can create a space where your people find refuge in a restless world.