Kris grew up between Hatton and Auxvasse, MO just a few miles from the church. He attended Hatton-McCredie elementary and Graduated from North Callaway high school. After high school, Kris went on to play football at Culver Stockton College while beginning to study pre-medicine. After one year there, Kris realized neither football nor the biology major were for him, so he came back to mid mo and attended the University of Missouri changing his focus to engineering. At this time, Kris began his job at Lowe’s, where he met Kayla.  Kris quickly figured out that college was not for him, and decided to pursue a career in retail management. Kris decided to move to Memphis, TN to further his career by opening new stores for Lowe’s. Kayla decided to come along and they eventually got engaged and then married. They moved around in Memphis and eventually back to Lebanon, MO before Kris got his first store in Festus (STL) MO.  Kris and Kayla finally decided to start their family and had Kierstyn and Kourtney while living in Festus. As Kierstyn was set to enter Kindergarten, Kris was asked to move his family to Bismarck, ND to manage a difficult store. With the support of his family, he accepted the challenge and moved his family to ND. It was Kierstyn’s first kindergarten teacher that introduced her (and Kayla) to competitive horse riding. Kierstyn immediately fell in love. After 3 1/2 years in Bismarck, the family finally got the opportunity to return home. Kris, Kayla, Kierstyn, and Kourtney now live right back where it all started in Kris’ childhood home with a few updates and additions. They now have a barn and 3 horses and enjoy competing in play days and especially barrel races. 

Kris is currently a Store Manager for Hobby Lobby and enjoys working for a Christian company that allows him Sunday’s off to attend church have time with family. Kris is also very happy to be back in his community and especially at his home church. Kris wanted to do more with the church, and his father (Tom) along with many other church members were looking into a new ministry called Celebrate Recovery. Kris decided to join the team and learn more about the program. Immediately, Kris realized that this was his passion. In many years of retail leadership, the thing that Kris loves the most was helping people. Helping people to help themselves. Providing support, wisdom, experience, comfort, motivation, whatever it took but just helping them. Kris’ leadership experience and desire to help led him into the role of Ministry Leader for this new program. The program is still young and continues to grow. We added The Landing, a space for middle and high school kids to learn how to deal with life’s hurts habits and hang ups. We hope to continue to grow and serve those in need in our community.