Kristopher Schaal

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).

Kristopher and family in Phoenix, Arizona