--- name: "Kristopher Schaal" role: Team location: Phoenix, Arizona url: https://www.growingfathers.com/authors/kristopher-schaal/ --- # Kristopher Schaal Kristopher serves as the youth and discipleship pastor at Northwest Valley Baptist Church in Glendale, AZ. He and his wife, Elise, have five children—Anaya, Felicity, Mollie, Klayton, and Ivan. God has been so gracious to me and my family! I grew up as a pastor's kid in Phoenix, AZ. I still remember the day God saved me. My family was cleaning up at the church when my dad turned the conversation to the gospel. I knew I was a sinner and that I deserved to go to hell. I understood that Jesus died in my place and rose again. I asked God to forgive my sin and give me eternal life, and He did! During my teenage years, God began leading me toward vocational ministry. In college, I studied church music and met my beautiful wife Elise, who shared my heart for the Lord and ministry as well as a love for the West. After graduation, we moved back to Arizona for me to attend seminary. During the summers, we enjoyed serving at Ironwood Christian camp, where I preached to junior campers. In 2014, God moved us to Southern California, where I pastored for six years. Then, in 2020, He called us back home to Northwest Valley Baptist Church in Glendale, AZ, where I serve as Youth and Discipleship Pastor. I love preaching and teaching the word of God to teens, couples, and families. As an ACBC-certified counselor, I also have a special love for biblical counseling. In my free time, I enjoy reading, hiking, traveling, working on my truck, and watching Phoenix Suns basketball. The Lord has blessed Elise and me with five amazing children—Anaya, Felicity, Mollie, Klayton, and Ivan. Our kids are the “pride and joy” of our lives and a big reason why I do what I do at Growing Fathers. Fatherhood has been one of God's greatest gifts to me—and one of His greatest tools for helping me grow. Sometimes Elise and I wonder “what we got ourselves into,” but we go to bed most nights feeling incredibly blessed. Praise the Father from whom all good gifts proceed (James 1:16-18). ## Posts - [The Deadly Sin of Pride](https://www.growingfathers.com/the-deadly-sin-of-pride.md): Pride is more dangerous than we think. Discover what Proverbs reveals about its symptoms, consequences, and the humble path to freedom for Christian dads. - [Never Stop Growing](https://www.growingfathers.com/never-stop-growing.md): Growing Fathers celebrates six years of helping Christian dads pursue spiritual growth, strengthen families, and keep their eyes on Jesus. - [Growing into a New Year](https://www.growingfathers.com/growing-into-a-new-year.md): We have compiled four more lessons from 2025 that can potentially help you become a more Christlike father in 2026. - [8 Things You Can Give Your Kids That Don't Cost Any Money](https://www.growingfathers.com/8-things-you-can-give-your-kids-that-don-t-cost-any-money.md): Do you ever feel like a failure for not providing more? Here are 8 priceless gifts you can give your children without spending any money. - [How to Make Hard Decisions as a Dad](https://www.growingfathers.com/how-to-make-hard-decisions-as-a-dad.md): Learn how to make difficult decisions as a Christian husband and father, applying biblical principles, seeking wisdom, and trusting in God's sovereignty. - [God's Indescribable Gift](https://www.growingfathers.com/god-s-indescribable-gift.md): Discover the true meaning of Christmas: God's indescribable gift, Jesus, and the importance of desiring a relationship with Him over material blessings. - [How To Pray For Daughters](https://www.growingfathers.com/how-to-pray-for-daughters.md): If you're burdened to pray more for your daughters, Ephesians 3:16-19 is a great place to start. - [Book Review: The Biggest Story Bible Storybook](https://www.growingfathers.com/the-biggest-story-bible-storybook.md): The Biggest Story Storybook Bible by Kevin DeYoung is my new go-to children's story Bible recommendation for family devotions. - [10 Tips for Family Vacation](https://www.growingfathers.com/10-tips-for-family-vacation.md): Last week, we visited California as a family. Here are 10 tips from our experience to help make your family vacations meaningful and refreshing. - [How Can Christian Dads Manage Their Households Well?](https://www.growingfathers.com/how-can-christian-dads-manage-their-households-well.md): Dads need to learn to be good household managers. This article gives you seven steps toward that end. - [Book Review: What's Best Next](https://www.growingfathers.com/book-review-whats-best-next.md): I look forward to the long-term effects of What's Best Next on my life as I continue to strive to be a "good and faithful servant." - [9 Common Pitfalls in Christian Dating](https://www.growingfathers.com/9-common-pitfalls-in-christian-dating.md): Christian dads must shepherd their children through the process of dating. Here are nine talking points to consider as you discuss this important matter. - [Resource Recommendation: Patch the Pirate](https://www.growingfathers.com/resource-recommendation-patch-the-pirate.md): Patch the Pirate is a great tool for making truth "sticky" for children. Your kids will love the characters and music and will grow in Christlikeness. - [The Benefits of One on One Time With Your Children](https://www.growingfathers.com/the-benefits-of-one-on-one-time-with-your-children.md): Spending time one-on-one with your kids will help you to build relationships and engage in heart-level conversations. - [Making a Chore Chart for Kids](https://www.growingfathers.com/making-a-chore-chart-for-kids.md): A couple of months ago, we made a chore schedule for our family, and the results have been astounding! - [Accepting God Given Limitations](https://www.growingfathers.com/accepting-god-given-limitations.md): We can try to muscle through our limitations in pride, or we can accept them in humility as good gifts from God. - [God the Father](https://www.growingfathers.com/god-the-father.md): Fatherhood is under attack in our world today. Where can we as Christian dads draw encouragement and inspiration? Look no further than God the Father. - [Protecting Your Teenagers Online](https://www.growingfathers.com/protecting-your-teenagers-online.md): To protect your teens online, you need 1) A fence, 2) swim lessons, and 3) supervision. Learn how these steps relate to protecting our teens online. - [Unconditional Love](https://www.growingfathers.com/unconditional-love-marriage.md): Learn how God's unconditional love can shape our relationships: Jesus' call to abide in His love and Paul's assurance that nothing can separate us from it. - [Children Are a Blessing](https://www.growingfathers.com/children-are-a-blessing.md): There is a major divide about the ethical question of abortion. However, there is also a value judgment: are children a blessing or a curse? - [Does God Punish Children for the Sins of Their Parents?](https://www.growingfathers.com/does-god-punish-children-for-the-sins-of-their-parents.md): Does God punish children for the sins of their parents? How are we to understand these Old Testament texts? And how should we respond as parents? - [How God Has Led My Family Through Change](https://www.growingfathers.com/how-god-has-led-my-family-through-change.md): As my wife and I wrote this together, we enjoyed reflecting on some lessons God has taught us through change during the past eleven years of our marriage. - [How to Use the Most Powerful Parenting Tool](https://www.growingfathers.com/teach-children-a-christian-worldview.md): The Bible is your best parenting power tool, but you must know how to use it as a tool for instilling a Christian worldview into our children. - [Lessons From a Leper](https://www.growingfathers.com/lessons-from-a-leper.md): The story of the Samaritan leper teaches us that we must prioritize giving thanks, be God-focused and humble, and submit to the Lord. - [Steps of Assurance Counseling](https://www.growingfathers.com/counseling-assurance-of-salvation-for-children.md): Here is a diagnostic tool for helping your children work through doubts about their salvation. - [Counseling Your Children about Salvation](https://www.growingfathers.com/how-to-share-the-gospel-with-children.md): One of the most exciting and terrifying jobs of a parent is to present the decision for salvation to your children. - [Should Dads Stop Freaking Out About Their Kids?](https://www.growingfathers.com/dads-angry-with-kids.md): Crazy Busy, by Kevin DeYoung includes a helpful chapter called, "You Need to Stop Freaking Out about Your Kids." - [Is It Right to Convict My Children?](https://www.growingfathers.com/is-it-right-to-convict-my-children.md): Is it my job to convict my children? How do I do it, and what are some pitfalls to avoid? This article seeks to answer those questions. - [The Power of Teachable Moments](https://www.growingfathers.com/the-power-of-teachable-moments.md): To teach our children biblically and effectively, we must employ not only lecture-style instruction but also what Lou Priolo calls "milieu instruction." - [Getting Started With Family Worship](https://www.growingfathers.com/getting-started-with-family-worship.md): The basic elements of family worship are easy to accomplish – simply read, sing, and pray together! - [Dads and Authority Part 3](https://www.growingfathers.com/dads-and-authority-part-3.md): Here are five safeguards you can put into place to avoid provoking your children to wrath without compromising your parental authority. - [Dads and Authority Part 2](https://www.growingfathers.com/dads-and-authority-part-2.md): There are many biblical reasons why it is essential that we train our kids to obey. - [Dad Goals—Jonathan Edwards Style](https://www.growingfathers.com/dad-goals-2021%E2%80%94Jonathan-Edwards-Style.md): As we approach the new year, ask yourself, "What changes should you make to be a more Christlike dad this year?" - [Dads and Authority](https://www.growingfathers.com/dads-and-authority.md): The Bible teaches that a dad's authority comes from God. That's a simple truth with profound implications. - [What Does It Mean to Be a Humble Dad?](https://www.growingfathers.com/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-humble-dad.md): Philippians 2:4 says we are to esteem others better than ourselves. But what does that mean? What does it mean to be a humble dad? - [What Makes My Child Who He Is?](https://www.growingfathers.com/what-makes-my-child-who-he-is.md): Your children are the products of two things: shaping influences and Godward orientation. Work and pray that your children may know and faithfully follow God. - [Do As I Do](https://www.growingfathers.com/do-as-i-do.md): When it comes to parenting, "actions speak louder than words." If you are going to effectively disciple your children, they need to see that YOU walk with God! - [Unbiblical Parenting Goals](https://www.growingfathers.com/unbiblical-parenting-goals.md): It's very easy for dads to slip into pursuing the wrong goals in our parenting. Let's explore some of those common unbiblical goals in light of the Bible. - [Book Review: Shepherding a Child's Heart](https://www.growingfathers.com/shepherding-a-childs-heart.md): Parents are called by God to guide their child's heart and not just manage their behavior, as taught in Paul Tripp's book, Shepherding a Child's Heart.