Chris Gonzalez

Worship Pastor - The Venue, Celebrate Recovery - chrisg@valponaz.org

I joined the staff at VNC in July of 2007. I graduated from Olivet Nazarene University in 2000 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Church Music, and was ordained in the Church of the Nazarene in July of 2007. While attending Olivet, I met my wife, Michelle, married since 2000. We have two children, Lexi and Trevor.

Throughout my time in ministry, I have been on staff at churches in Michigan and Iowa before coming to VNC. I have a strong desire to lead people into God's presence through worship and the arts.

I have an unhealthy obsession for sports such as Cubs baseball (this is our year!), Indiana Basketball, Notre Dame Football, and playoff sporting events! I also love to participate in different fantasy sports leagues. I hope to one day own a Harley, and be chosen to throw out the first pitch at a Cubs game.

My prayer is that God will continue to equip me to do ministry in the way that God has called me. One of my favorite quotes is this:
"If we never step out in obedience to God's words to us, we'll never know what it means to trust him. If we only attempt to accomplish things within the limits of our own strength, we'll never experience God's empowering to do something far beyond our own capability. We'll never have a personal victory song of praise to sing."