Welcome from Rev. Christián

On behalf of our entire Chapel Hills community - Welcome!

Whether it be for our weekly services, ongoing activities, and events, or just a place to be in community, we would be ecstatic to have you with us. Our worship service offers a fresh, progressive Christian message with inspiring music from a vibrant choir. People who come to worship at Chapel Hills will laugh, will feel challenged, and empowered to follow Jesus of Nazareth. And when we say, “No matter where you are in life’s journey, you are welcome here” we mean that.

If you are wondering about my background, I was raised in Garland, Texas and am the son of immigrants, from Mexico and El Salvador. I had a spiritual awakening in high school and was influenced heavily by an evangelical Christian church when I realized I wanted to be a pastor.  I left the evangelical church after deeper reflection on the person of Jesus and deeper study of scripture while earning my BA in biblical studies at Hardin Simmons University. I am an “exvangelical.”

I found the United Church of Christ during my time earning a Master of Divinity with a concentration in gender and sexuality from Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth, Texas.  I was honored with being awarded the Walker Preacher Award several years which recognizes students identified as gifted preachers.  I am a regular facilitator in Rev. Jia Starr Brown’s ACTION project which is a three-year program designed to reflect the critical intersections of learning, accountability, and praxis that are necessary for racial justice.”

I’ve been featured on the “Lady Preacher Podcast,” and I have been arrested and put in jail for participating in non-violent direct action.

Ultimately, my orientation to Christianity comes from Liberationist Christians, such as Oscar Romero, and Martin Luther King jr. My teachings are Jesus centered and seek to dismantle white supremacy, transphobia, patriarchy, and Christian nationalism. I believe laughter and joy make for a healthy spirituality.  In my sermons, I’m confident you will be challenged, encouraged spiritually, stimulated intellectually, and have a good laugh.

I can be reached at revcbriones@gmail.com