Rev. Kris Perry (also known as Pastor Kris or PK) has served in the role as Youth Pastor at FUMC since July of 2004. Pastor Kris has a contagious passion for God and a big heart for the young people and families that he serves and ministers to at FUMC. The 2010-2011 school year marks his seventh year at FUMC.
Pastor Kris first sensed a call into ministry as a young boy while growing up and attending worship at Calvary Temple in Allentown, PA. He recalls the "encounters" with the Lord at summer camp and in church, along with his upbringing in the faith as making a tremendous impact on his life. Pastor Kris launched into Youth Ministry in late 1993, just several months after graduating from Liberty High School in Bethlehem, PA. He would soon come to meet his wife Serena while venturing with the Youth Group to a Christian Skate Night in December of 1993. Pastor Kris and Serena would marry just 9 months later, in August of 1994.
The Perry Family began to grow with the birth of Olivia in 1995 (now 14 years old) and Isaiah in 1997 (now 12 years old). Pastor Kris sensed the Lord calling him away from the ministry to pursue an education in Biblical Studies and Pastoral Ministries at Zion Bible College in Barrington, Rhode Island. He would go on to be elected and serve his class as Vice-President. His studies continue to this day with additional coursework at Harvard University in Cambridge, MA. and presently at Evangelical Theological Seminary in Meyerstown, PA.
Pastor Kris began working in ministry full-time in September of 2002 and would later be ordained and recognized by the Full Gospel Fellowship of Churches and Ministries International, while serving as Youth Pastor at Restoration Fellowship Ministries, located in Shenandoah, PA. in 2003. During this very year, Pastor Kris and Serena's family would continue to grow with the birth of baby Sarah Grace (now 6 years old). Since then, Pastor Kris and Serena welcomed their fourth child, Gabriella Faith into the world in November 2009.
In addition to his work as a Youth Pastor, Pastor Kris established an outreach in Schuylkill County called "Christian Skate and Lazer Tag Night." His desire to see spiritual transformation and growth in the county led him to form a fellowship of youth ministers, called the "Schuylkill County Youth Leaders Network." A passion and hunger to bring unity and spiritual awakening in the Body of Christ - across denominational lines - led to the "Call to Unity," a commission to pray for the youth and county in November of 2003, held at The Lighthouse Church in Orwigsburg.
Pastor Kris would eventually become the Youth Pastor of FUMC in July of 2004 and would immediately join his new ministry on a Missions Trip to Lubec, Maine. His week-long "initiation" into the group - and survival that week - began what has become a wonderful adventure and journey of faith with the families and youth of FUMC. While serving at FUMC, Pastor Kris has most enjoyed discipling students, planning retreat weekends & missions trips, and launching the Encounter weekends - The journey and excitement of serving and growing together continues to unfold.
In addition to serving as Youth Pastor of FUMC, Pastor Kris also serves as pastor of the Evangelical United Methodist Church located in Pottsville, PA (since July, 2009), on the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Council on Youth Ministry, Safe Sanctuaries Task Force, and serves the Northwest District as District Youth Coordinator to oversee the strategy and mission of youth ministry throughout the district. Through these efforts and opportunities the vision for the Encounter weekends (regional student conferences to seek the Lord and fellowship with other students) was birthed in 2006 and continues to be a weekend of impact for all who attend. Pastor Kris has worn many hats throughout the community including softball coach, former Vice-President of the New Life Christian Academy in Orwigsburg and has briefly served as President of the Schuylkill Haven and Vicinity Council of Churches.
Pastor Kris continues to be a speaker for various conferences, workshops, retreats and camps. His message is simple: lift high the cross of Christ and embrace the plans and purposes that God has for your life, as a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ! Serena has spoken with many people over cups of coffee and has spoken at women's ministry events about God's restoration power in marriage - most recenetly as a speaker at "Women Under Construction," held in Allentown, PA.
Pastor Kris and Serena can both be reached via email at revkrisperry@yahoo.com, or by calling the Church Office at (570)385-3941.