Pastor Chris Leingang Raised in Seattle, Chris grew up loving the Puget Sound area for all its beauty and opportunity. He enjoys being outdoors, whether camping in the wood, hiking in the hills, boating on the lakes, surfing in the ocean, or cruising the back roads on his motorcycle.
After graduating from High School he attended Western Washington University, where he met the love of his life, Carrie. They were married in 1992 and have 3 grown boys, all of whom live in Oregon.
With the goal of teaching, Chris graduated with a General Science degree from Portland State University (B.S. ) in 1996, and a Secondary Education degree from Concordia University (M.A.T.) in 1998. He taught middle school and high school science for 2 years.
During that time they became immersed in the life and ministry of a small church, where Chris served as Sunday School Superintendent, Junior High Youth Leader and Elder. In 2000 they moved to Chandler Arizona to serve as Assistant Director for Lutheran Brethren Youth Ministries, overseeing a church planting team and providing coaching to congregational leaders who were using Servant Teams in ministry.
In 2002, sensing the call to pastoral ministry, they moved to Fergus Fall and enrolled in Seminary, graduating in May 2005. While a student Chris served as Associate Pastor for the Dalton Free Lutheran Parish and as interim pastor for Ebenezer Lutheran Brethren in Rolette, ND. Upon graduation, he was called to serve Faith Fellowship Lutheran Brethren in Kelso, WA where he remained for 14 years.
He is active in the region, serving as Registrar/Treasurer for the Men’s Retreat, and had previously served for 10 years as Director for Bible Camp. He is active in the Synod, serving the Office of the President, through participating in a Bible School feasibility study and the Arrow Corp development process.
In June 2019, Pastor Chris and Carrie moved to Ferndale, Washington, just 20 minutes from where they first met, to serve in ministry with Cornerstone Community Church.