About The Episode
In this episode of The Unfair Advantage, Chris Stephens shares his remarkable journey from a troubled past to leading one of the largest churches in Tennessee. Growing up in poverty, struggling with addiction, and facing abuse, Chris found hope and purpose in Christ at 22. His story is one of radical transformation, unwavering vision, and relentless faith. Chris discusses the early challenges of planting a church, the importance of vision in leadership, and the critical role of spiritual formation in sustaining ministry. He also shares insights on overcoming fear, building effective teams, and remaining focused on God’s calling amid challenges. This conversation is packed with powerful lessons for church planters and leaders looking to make a lasting impact.
Welcome to Episode 038 of The Unfair Advantage Podcast with David Hibiske.
Insights From Chris
- God Can Use Anyone, No Matter the Past
Chris Stephens’ story is a powerful reminder that God can use even the most unlikely people for His purposes. From growing up in an abusive, drug-filled environment to becoming a church leader, Chris’s testimony highlights the redemptive power of God. Despite his past, he found hope in Christ and went on to lead thousands to faith. - The Power of Vision in Ministry
One of the core themes of Chris’s journey is the importance of vision. When he took over Faith Promise Church, he led with a clear mission to reach lost people, even when it meant making tough, unpopular decisions like selling church property and moving locations. He emphasizes that vision is not just a slogan but a guiding force that drives every aspect of ministry. - Prioritizing Time with God
For Chris, daily time with God has been the non-negotiable foundation of his ministry. He credits his spiritual growth and leadership success to prioritizing his relationship with God, even during the busiest seasons. He encourages church planters to guard their time with God, reminding them that true kingdom impact starts in the prayer closet. - Building the Right Team
While Chris acknowledges his weaknesses in administration and management, he highlights the importance of surrounding himself with leaders who complement his gifts. His executive pastor played a critical role in helping the church grow from 1,600 to 8,500 by creating systems and structures to sustain growth. Chris encourages leaders to recruit and empower high-capacity team members to multiply their impact. - Rejecting the Fear of People
One of the most freeing lessons Chris shares is the importance of not being controlled by the fear of others’ opinions. He recounts stories of making bold, sometimes controversial decisions without being swayed by financial pressures or the threat of losing members. This courage to prioritize God’s vision over human approval has been a defining aspect of his leadership. - Embracing Change for the Sake of the Mission
Chris’s leadership journey is marked by a willingness to change methods to reach more people, from moving church locations to adopting new worship styles. He advises church planters to avoid getting stuck in tradition and to remain flexible, always prioritizing the mission over comfort. - Long-Term Perspective on Ministry
Chris emphasizes that true success in ministry is not measured by numbers alone but by faithfulness to God’s calling. He warns against the trap of comparison and encourages leaders to keep their eyes on Jesus, finding their ultimate satisfaction in serving Him.
Episode Links
Do ministry together! Three gatherings, nine planters, one cohesive journey. Check out the Ascent Leader Church Planter Cohorts. Get more information today at: https://theascentleader.org/cohorts/
Who Is Chris Stephens?
DR. CHRIS STEPHENS (Faith Promise Church, TN) Chris was the Senior Pastor of Faith Promise Church in Knoxville, Tennessee for over twenty-seven years and in 2023 completed a successful succession of the Senior Pastor role to his son. Now, he spends his time working to secure the future of the church by raising money to accomplish the vision of reaching 1% of Tennessee while training church leaders, speaking and traveling on behalf of the church. Chris holds a Doctor of Ministry degree in Evangelistic Church Growth. Under his leadership the church grew from 250 to over 8,000 in attendance and a staff that has grown from 5 to 75 with ten locations across East Tennessee, an international campus in Costa Rica, and a global Online Campus. Chris has published ten books: The Climb of Your Life: Reaching the Peak of Your Potential, The Plan of Your Life: Managing What Matters Most, Without: 31 Days to Increase Your Faith, Called Out: What God Calls You Calls You Out, New Rivers, New Roads, All In, Finding Favor, Transformation, Passing the Baton, and So Help Me God. Chris is married to Michele and they have three married children, three granddaughters and four grandsons. They thoroughly enjoy their time spent as Mimi and Pop Pop. They also enjoy traveling together. Pastor Chris can also often be found in his converted barn…the ultimate man cave.
Sponsors
Thanks to our sponsor: Generis.
A generous church is a healthy, growing church. So, if you’re ready to advance your mission, visit Generis.com/getstarted today!
Our goal with the Ascent Leader and our church planting cohorts is to help church planters win early and finish strong. We want to resource you so that you can avoid common pitfalls and simple mistakes. Being involved in a community of leaders like our church planting cohorts is one of the best ways to wrestle through these questions. We’re here to help you, if we can be of assistance to you please feel free to reach out.
Contact our team: ops@theascentleader.org
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