Chris Butler is a pastor, community organizer, and political strategist with over 25 years dedicated to public service at the intersection of faith and civic life. As the Director of Christian Civic Formation at the Center for Christianity and Public Life, Chris leads efforts to equip Christians for thoughtful and transformative engagement in the public square, creating resources and spaces that encourage spiritual and civic formation for the common good.

Chris has pastored at Ambassador Church (formerly Chicago Embassy Church Network) for nine years, where he has revitalized the congregation, developed a strong outreach and engagement ministry, and mentored emerging leaders to carry forward a vision of faith-centered community impact. Before going into pastoral ministry, Chris pursued an active career deeply involved in electoral campaigns and advocacy efforts, championing policy reforms and mobilizing grassroots communities. His roles spanned organizing, consulting, and strategic planning, all rooted in his commitment to advancing justice and opportunity for the marginalized.

An experienced speaker and writer, Chris co-authored Compassion (&) Conviction: The AND Campaign's Guide to Faithful Civic Engagement (InterVarsity Press, 2020), a resource guiding Christians in the pursuit of civic and political engagement rooted in biblical principles. He also served on the Leadership Council and Executive Committee of the AND Campaign, an organization dedicated to advocating for justice and compassion in public life from a Christian perspective.

Chris holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civic and Political Engagement from Northeastern Illinois University and a Master’s in Bible and Theology from Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington. He has been married to his wife, Aziza, for 17 years, and together they are raising six remarkable children.