Christoper Hess
Lead Pastor
Christopher Hess is the founding pastor of Risen Church in Richlands, Virginia—his hometown and the place God has given him a deep burden to see reclaimed for Christ. He has served in ministry since 2008 and is passionate about preaching the gospel, shepherding people, and seeing lives transformed by the grace of Jesus.
Christopher holds a Master of Arts in Theology and a Master of Divinity in Pastoral Counseling from Liberty University. His preaching and ministry have been shaped by the theological clarity and gospel-centered focus of leaders like John Piper and R.C. Sproul.
He has been married to his wife, Chelsey, for 11 years, and they have one daughter. He enjoys taking her to karate, coaching her rec league sports, and spending time together as a family. In his downtime, Chris is an avid sports fan and a lover of Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings.
His heart beats for the people of Richlands, Appalachia, and beyond—to see every home, hill, and heart built up as if it belongs to Christ, because itdoes. And one day, Jesus will fully redeem it.
Christopher holds a Master of Arts in Theology and a Master of Divinity in Pastoral Counseling from Liberty University. His preaching and ministry have been shaped by the theological clarity and gospel-centered focus of leaders like John Piper and R.C. Sproul.
He has been married to his wife, Chelsey, for 11 years, and they have one daughter. He enjoys taking her to karate, coaching her rec league sports, and spending time together as a family. In his downtime, Chris is an avid sports fan and a lover of Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings.
His heart beats for the people of Richlands, Appalachia, and beyond—to see every home, hill, and heart built up as if it belongs to Christ, because itdoes. And one day, Jesus will fully redeem it.