Chris Bartlett

Hometown: Round Rock, Texas

Role at Ablaze: Vice President of Ablaze, Team Captain of Ablaze Families

Contact Info: [email protected]

Education:

  • MA Theology, St. Mary University-San Antonio
  • BA Theology with Religious Education Concentration, Franciscan University of Steubenville
  • BA Business, Marketing, Franciscan University of Steubenville

 

Ministry Background:

It was the spring of my 8th-grade year on a retreat where my relationship with Christ and His Church became personal and real. Since that time, God has been gently calling my gifts into ministry. I served on retreat teams in High School & College and was blessed by an amazing internship in youth ministry. After graduation, I was hired as the Director of Youth Ministry at St. Thomas Aquinas in College Station. It was an amazing season of growth. In 2008, I became the Director of Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministry at the Diocese of Austin. This is where ministry leadership became a professional passion. In 2011, I returned to parish ministry as the Director of Youth Ministry at St. William Catholic Church in Round Rock and jumped on with Ablaze part-time. In the fall of 2020, it was time to go full-time with Ablaze, and now serve as the Vice President of our amazing ministry!

Passions and Interests

I delight in my family and love playing with my kids. I enjoy guitar, soccer, and Monday Night Game Night (ask me about it). I’m a bit of a nerd and my board game collection continues to grow.

How did you become involved with Ablaze/why are you involved?

The origin story starts with taking leaders to the next level. Next Level Ministry was founded along the way as the desire to share the vision of ministry broadened beyond my parish position. This has since evolved into Ablaze Connect. I see so many ministry leaders suffering and some leaving the church. This had to change. Partnering with leaders who have a great capacity to make a lasting impact in the life of the youth and our Church is meaningful work. We are reaching volunteers and parishes that were unsure if mission to youth was even possible in their area.

Favorite Quotes/Bible Verses:

The Hemorrhaging Woman (Mark’s account) and the Road to Emmaus in Luke can rock my spiritual world.

“Apathy is a bigger threat to the church today than heresy” – Chris Bartlett