About Us

Chris and Cindy met while attending LSU (Baton Rouge, LA). We married in 1987 and began our life together.
We've been blessed with nine children and we continue to allow God to have control of planning our family.

We think He's done a wonderful job so far!

"Lo, Children are a heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. Like arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
Happy is the man that has his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed , but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate."

Feeling called to homeschool and raise our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord we are enrolled in the Advanced Training Institute (ATI), a homeschool program. We've been enrolled in this program since June of 1994 (our oldest was only five when we enrolled).

Chris works for the US Dept of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Chicago. Cindy was a Respiratory Therapist but gave that up in 1996 to stay home full-time. She now spends her days homeschooling, clothing, feeding, changing, cleaning, training, etc. Having 9 children causes life to be very exciting and challenging. It's not an easy job but it is definitely worth it!

What is a family-integrated church?

Family Integrated Churches come in all shapes, sizes and varieties. There are FICs in virtually every denominational and theological tradition,
and in most sections of the country. While no two FICs are exactly alike, they do have certain distinctives in common.

Families Worship Together
If you’ve ever walked into a FIC during a worship service, perhaps the first thing that struck you was the fact that there were so many babies and
small children in the service. We have grown accustomed to the presence of children in the service, and the children grow accustomed to being
a part of the worship experience. No one will stop you at the door if you try to enter our service with your toddler.
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No Systematic Age Segregation
One of the biggest distinctions of a FIC is the absence of age-graded ministries. We do not have segregated youth ministry, or children’s ministry. First, these ministries are not part of the biblical church model. The Bible is clear on whose job it is to disciple children... parents. Second, these ministries can work against the biblical model. Parents who are relieved of their discipleship duties tend to become dependent on those who have taken over the job. Finally, these ministries have failed. We are losing 75-88% of Evangelical teens by the end of their freshman year in college. And as Dr. Alvin Reid has noticed, “The largest rise of youth professionals in history has been accompanied by a decline in youth evangelism effectiveness.”
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Evangelism/Discipleship Through Homes
We teach parents to evangelize and disciple their children and their neighbors. We emphasize the ministry of hospitality, family worship, catechism,
and family discipleship. Thus, instead of placing the burden on paid professionals to “do the work of the ministry,” we equip the saints to do it.
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Education as a Key Component of Discipleship
Jesus said, “A pupil is not above his teacher, but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher” (Luke 6:40). Whoever educates
a child is discipling that child. We work hard to help parents see the importance of Christian education, and to help them make biblical choices
as it relates to this part of their children’s discipleship.

Excerpt taken from "Distinctives of a Family Integrated Church (FIC)"
By Dr. Voddie Baucham, Jr. Used with permission.