Pastor Spotlight Chris Cagle, Sports Life Pastor
Chris Cagle is the Sports Life Pastor at CBC. He has
been an athlete his whole life and he went to college
at Stephen F. Austin in Nacogdoches, Texas. He played
football his freshman year, but quit playing his
sophomore year to devote his time to ministry work.
When he was a senior, a woman he worked with at his
church asked him if he would be willing to escort a
young lady from her Sunday school class who needed a
date to her high school dance (that young woman,
Kelly, would one day become his wife). Chris and Kelly
were married in 1994. Together, they have four
children. Two of their children were born with CHARGE
syndrome and have faced physical challenges since
birth. But their survival, and their parents
perseverance to care for their special needs is a
testimony of their faith and God’s enduring love
through seemingly impossible circumstances.
Army Brat
Chris was born at Fort Stewart, in Georgia. He grew up in a traditional family; his parents were
happily married. His dad was in the army, so they moved around a bit during his growing up
years. He spent his formative years in Lawton, Oklahoma. His family attended First Baptist
Church of Lawton. When Chris began kindergarten his mother went to work as a full‐time pre‐
school minister at their church.
Sneakin’ in to the big kids’ Bible class
Chris gave his life to the Lord at the tender age of 5. He remembers “sneaking in” with his big
sister to the Baptist Training Union on Sunday night to see a ventriloquist. The Gospel was
presented with puppets and at that young age he told himself, “I don’t have Jesus. I need Jesus;
I want to go to heaven.” He walked down the aisle and accepted Christ. He says he feels that
experience was, “indeed a genuine salvation, but as I grew older and there was sin in my life, I
would doubt my salvation (because it did happen at such a young age).” In the fourth grade at
R.A. (Royal Ambassadors) camp, Chris says God spoke to him, “as clear as day and told me that I
was going to be like my Mom. I thought what!! I was going to be a soldier like my father! I
tucked that away, but looking back on that moment I feel that was my first calling to ministry.
In high school, I was involved in youth group but I was always helping the youth pastor—I loved
to help. I surrendered to full time Christian service at 18 years old.”
Facing incredible challenges
In 1994, Chris was ordained as a Baptist minister in Archer City, Texas. He worked as a youth
minister for several churches in different towns ending up in Canton, Texas in 2004. He and his
family loved this town. He and Kelly pictured themselves living out their lives here—the schools
were great, the people were lovely, and the church was awesome. They had two healthy kids
and had made the decision to undergo sterilization surgery. So when Kelly became pregnant
after the operation, they were shocked. She gave birth to their child Conley, who was born with
CHARGE syndrome. He was blue and purple at birth, and their baby spent 12 months of his first
2 years of life in the hospital. The family was driving 70 miles to Dallas for hospital and
doctors—Chris and Kelly were struggling to deal with this crisis on a daily basis. In the area they
were living there were no viable options for schools for children with special needs. Chris knew
that he had to find the best place for his son, but it was hard to leave Canton—they loved it so.
He found out about a school in San Antonio called Sunshine Cottage for the deaf. He moved
with Conley to live with his sister so the school could decide if this school could help his son.
Sunshine Cottage said they would be able to help him, so Chris made the decision to move his
family to San Antonio. During the 6 months he was living with his sister, they visited Community
Bible Church. Chris imagined during these visits how great it would be to work at CBC, but at
the time there were no openings. So he and his family found a small apartment near the school
for the deaf and he began looking for a job. The church that Chris worked for had given a love
offering that would allow them to make the move and live for a year; they also had extended
their health insurance for a year and sent him a part of his salary for 6 months. He and his
family were deeply loved by their church congregation. Chris marvels to this day of how God
was providing for his family in such a miraculous way.
Journey to CBC pastor
Although it took almost a year for Chris to find a job, he says that during this time he was
blessed to spend so much time with his children. He took them to school and had time at home
with them. Chris looked for ministry positions at CBC, but with none open he decided to work
for Housekeeping at CBC on nights and weekends. Sadly, the Sunshine Cottage informed them
that they would no longer be able to care for his child, and so began another search to find a
school with programs for special needs. As he and his family struggled to find a school for their
child, Chris was wearing a maintenance shirt and getting to know some people at CBC. He told
the Sport Life pastor about some ideas he had, and eventually Chris was hired as the Children’s
Sports life pastor. This happened one year after he resigned from his position in Canton, and
the exact time that the money his family was living on would run out.
Back in the saddle
Having been out of the ministry for a year and dealing with a lot during that time, it was tough
to get “back in the groove.” Working at CBC was also a bit of culture shock. Chris had to get
used to using computers and even email was not something he was used to! The job was a
good fit, but meanwhile he and Kelly continued to struggle to find a school for Conley. They
decided that the Texas School for the Deaf in Austin was the best place, and commuted daily to
take him there. Chris and Kelly found out at this time that they were pregnant with their fourth
child. Cameron was born with CHARGE syndrome, and almost didn’t live. “God has different
plans than we think,” is what Chris says about the challenges he and his family have faced. He is
a genuine person and loves God and his family with all of his heart. He and Kelly love and care
for their children and they are an inspiration. Today they live in Buda which is closer to Austin.
Their fourth baby was born in 2008 and is overcoming challenges daily, but is clearly a survivor.
Playing with purpose in the city
Chris loves what he does as the Sports Life pastor at CBC. Sports Life is an outreach ministry
with softball, golf, and athletic teams in the local community. People with a passion for sports
are given the opportunity to do what they love and reach people for Jesus. “It’s a way for us to
show our neighbors what God is doing in our lives,” says Chris. He tells a poignant story of just
how this happens in the sports life ministry, “We have a baseball team and at every game we
pray. As we are gathered with the our opponents before we play, we tell everyone that after
the game we would like to pray, and if anyone has a prayer request we would like to pray for
them. So at one match, a man on the opposing team asked us if we still do the prayer, and if so
would we pray for his mom who had cancer. He was a railroad worker and got down on his
knees as we prayed for his mother. It was an awesome example of how we are reaching people
in the community for Christ,” says Chris.
Play to serve
Chris says that a Wise Counsel graduate would be an asset to sports life. “Wise Counsel really
prepares someone and gives an edge to handle the different and sometimes difficult situations
you see in this outreach ministry. WC grads are a resource for our volunteer leaders as well, to
help them in their own difficult times. James I says that it all happens for my (God’s) glory. How
you handle the circumstances in your life is our testimony.” CBC is blessed to have a man like
Chris Cagle whose life so strongly affirms his unfaltering commitment to ministry and to his
family.
Chris Cagle
Personality Style: Peaceful
Spiritual Gifts: Exhortation, Hospitality
Love Language: Words of affirmation, Touch
Hobbies: Time with family, sports, being with friends