My name is Chad Hartis and in 2008 I graduated from Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute where I received an Associate’s Degree in Religion/Church Ministry.

Shortly following graduation I married my wife Jodi Hartis. About a year and a half ago God laid it on my heart to continue my education at Southeastern Seminary and so in November, 2009 we made the move to Wake Forest. God called me into the ministry in 2004, and since then I have been preparing for the task. Following graduation from high school, I took a year to be mentored by two pastors in Charlotte.

During that time we discussed different aspects of the ministry, and studied the Bible together. During my mentoring I had the opportunity to do some volunteer work with the Metrolina Baptist Association and became involved with a group of pastors and youth leaders from various churches who met monthly to pray. I then enrolled at Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute to prepare for my calling to ministry. While at Fruitland I had opportunities to preach, served as a volunteer youth pastor at Barker Heights Baptist Church, and was an intern at Mud Creek Baptist Church.

Following graduation, I came on staff at Grace Baptist Church as a youth pastor and served there for a little over a year. God has placed a special burden on my heart to reach out to youth. I believe that youth are not just the church of tomorrow, but they are the church of today. Students seem to be more confused than ever, but at the same time still have a desire to search for the truth. Therefore there is a desperate need for students to be grounded in the Word of God. According to findings from the Barna Research Group, the majority of students today have a negative view of Christianity.