DISCIPLESHIP TEAM LEADER

As Discipleship Team Leader Chris will work with Iowa churches to develop and expand discipleship and small group ministries. Chris will also assist churches to strengthen their community evangelism outreach and community transformation programs.

Chris McRae was interviewed by Executive Director Lubinus and the administrative committee on November 7. Tim recommended Chris to the administrative board saying, “I have known Chris for several years and believe that his passion for discipleship ministry, extensive Baptist church experience, and Iowa connections make him the perfect fit to serve our churches’ discipleship and small group ministry.”

Chris McRae has been serving as lead pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Las Cruces, N.M. since 2006. Chris has Iowa roots, having been a student at Iowa State University where he was involved with the Baptist Student Union. He became a believer and was baptized during his freshman year, later joining Grand Avenue Church in Ames. Chris’ wife Sue, who is from Lake Park Iowa, was also involved with the Baptist Student Union and Grand Ave Church in Ames.

Chris said of his connection to Iowa, “Sensing God’s leadership into a life committed to mission and ministry, I volunteered to serve the churches of Iowa during the summer of 1975 as a summer missionary for the Iowa Southern Baptist Fellowship.”

Chris obtained a Master of Divinity Degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Following seminary Chris became a campus minister for the Baptist Student Union in Bozeman Montana where he went on to serve as an interim pastor, helped plant the Morning Star church, and then was called as lead pastor of the Morning Star church.

In 2000 Chris McRae became a Field Representative for the International Mission Board (IMB) serving as pastor of a multi-ethnic, cross-cultural English language congregation in Central Asia. While working with the IMB, Chris produced discipleship materials and led discipleship classes for Europeans, Americans, Africans and Asians as well as being involved in the discipleship process for journeyman appointees of the IMB.

After a favorable interview with Chris, the administrative committee voted to recommend him to the executive board for the Discipleship Team Leader position. The executive board later voted unanimously to offer the position to Chris.

Chris and his wife Sue have accepted the position and are planning to move to Iowa from New Mexico in December. Chris says, “I look forward to working alongside Southern Baptist Churches in Iowa to expand the kingdom of God through discipling relationships and small group connections in authentic Biblical community.”