Chris joined our staff in February of 2010. A native of Ohio, Chris attended the University of Richmond and received a Bachelor of Arts in Leadership Studies, a specialized multidisciplinary Business Degree focused on nonprofit organizations. He met his wife, Kristel, while attending Richmond. Following college, Chris studied for the MDiv. in Church Music at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. In addition, Chris has an MA in Worship Studies from Liberty University, a MMus in Choral Conducting from Messiah University, and a Doctorate of Worship Studies from the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies.
Chris has responsibility at First Baptist for all of the music and worship ministries of the church including all age-graded vocal choirs, age-graded bell choirs, Adult Choir, orchestra, and ensemble groups. In addition to his responsibilities at First Baptist, Chris has served as the President of the Tennessee Baptist Church Music Conference, sings with the Tennessee Men’s Chorale, and consults with churches on their worship and audio-visual needs.
Chris and his wife, Dr. Kristel Headley, have a son and daughter-in-law, Micah and Laura, who live in Pittsburgh, and a nine year old daughter, Ellie. Kristel is a professor and director of the Graduate Counseling Program at Johnson University. As a family, the Headleys enjoy traveling, music and the arts, water sports, and just being together.