Christopher Bernard Avell

Christopher Bernard Avell (born June 17, 1975) is an American pastor and web developer. He is known for his work as the founding pastor of Dad's Place and his involvement in web marketing and development for Christian organizations.
==Early life and education==
Avell was born in Skokie, Illinois and grew up in Arlington Heights, Illinois, attending John Hersey High School. Despite not completing high school, he pursued education in Radio Broadcasting at Columbia College Chicago.
==Career==
Before his religious conversion, Avell was a self-proclaimed atheist and worked in web marketing and development. He co-founded Save Your Church Money (), a service aimed at assisting churches saving money on furnishings, alongside Pastor George Kreger. In 2009, at the age of 33, Avell experienced a significant life change when he prayed for divine revelation and became a Christian.
==Pastoral career==
Avell began his journey as a pastor in 2011 at Union Chapel Church of God in Bryan, Ohio, where he was licensed with the Churches of God General Conference. His pastoral career progressed, and in 2016, he served as an interim pastor at Zion Church of God. In July 2018, Avell founded Dad's Place, marking a significant milestone in his pastoral journey. Dad's Place, under his leadership, became known for its community-oriented approach and commitment to social causes. This dedication to community service was notably demonstrated in March 2023 when Pastor Avell and Dad's Place were thrust into the national spotlight. Avell faced 18 counts of city zoning violations due to his efforts in providing shelter to the homeless at Dad's Place during extreme cold weather conditions. This legal challenge highlighted the church's proactive stance in addressing urgent social issues and generated widespread attention and discussion regarding the role of religious institutions in community service and social activism.
==Publications and Works==
Pastor Avell has collaborated with SEWAC, a global online ministry, presenting several topics such as "Sucker Punch - How to Fight Atheists and Win" and "GOD'S VIEW ON SLAVERY". Additionally, he maintains a YouTube channel @DiscipleDay, where he discusses various religious and social topics.
==Personal life==
Chris Avell married Lisa Marie Beyer on April 10, 1999. Together, they have five children: Taylor, Samantha, Disney, Christopher, and Luke. The family has also welcomed a son-in-law, Cory Sidle, and a granddaughter, Evangeline. Avell has a unique interest in magic and illusion, which he integrates into his pastoral work. He uses magic as an educational and outreach tool, leveraging this hobby to engage with people and share his Christian faith. This distinctive approach reflects Avell's creative and unconventional methods in ministry and personal life.
==Community Involvement==
Through his church, Dad's Place, and his Disciple Day ministry, Avell is actively involved in various community services and outreach programs. The church is open 24/7 and offers a food pantry, including a pet food pantry. It is also pet-friendly. Dad's Place hosts free movie nights monthly at the local Bryan Theatre, provides free haircuts to the community, and offers free meals on most nights.
==Controversies==
In October 2023, Avell's church hosted an event on "New Age Spirituality", which sparked controversy among some churches. The event aimed to demonstrate the deception of practices such as psychics, ghost hunting, and crystal healing. This event was discussed on the church's official Facebook page.
==Quotes==
Notable quotes from Avell include: "We are not here to play church, we're here to be the church" and "Stop attacking the very people Jesus has called us to reach."
==Zoning Controversy==
In March 2023, Pastor Avell and Dad's Place came into the national spotlight due to a legal issue involving zoning laws. By providing shelter to the homeless, Avell violated city zoning laws, as Dad’s Place is located in a C-3 Central Business District, which prohibits residential usage. Despite being informed of these violations and facing potential criminal prosecution, Avell continued to keep the doors open, leading to charges. Avell pleaded not guilty and emphasized the importance of this ministry as part of his church's commitment to serving the community.
Category:1975 births
Category:American people
Category:Pastors
Category:Web developers