Meet Chris Wingfield
This Sunday marks Chris’s last day as Ginghamsburg Worship Pastor. Having served 8 years on the Ginghamsburg Church staff team, Chris leaves a deep legacy. The following interview explores Chris, the person, and celebrates what God will do next. Cards of gratitude for Chris can be dropped off in the lobby before and after worship this Sunday.
August 6, 2025 // By interviewer Dan Bracken.
Chris Wingfield, a beloved figure at Ginghamsburg Church, has lived a life deeply intertwined with music and faith, shaped by unique early experiences and moments of transformation. Born into a musically talented family, Chris’s abilities surfaced remarkably early. At four or five years old, he stunned his mother by perfectly replaying a piano piece she’d just performed, entirely by ear. This gift set the foundation for Chris’s lifelong relationship with music.
Growing up, Chris was surrounded by music. His mother was a multi-instrumentalist, and his siblings sang and played various instruments. Before he could access real instruments, Chris humorously recalls pretending to play on his sister’s keyboard box, even bringing it to church with him. In one notable example, his father creatively supported Chris’s growing passion by repurposing household items, turning an ironing board into a makeshift keyboard stand.
Chris’s musical talents quickly earned recognition, granting him privileges like leaving class early to perform for teachers having difficult days or skipping school entirely to practice piano at his church. However, these privileges inadvertently deepened his isolation from typical childhood experiences, affecting his self-esteem and personal development.
Despite his musical accomplishments, Chris faced social challenges. At the age of six, during a church performance wearing an unforgettable all-white suit and red shirt, he was teased and humorously dubbed “Brother Love,” referencing a wrestling personality. Chris soon realized that music was his path to acceptance, recognition, and admiration, which began shaping his identity.
The environment Chris grew up in significantly impacted his understanding of relationships and intimacy. He witnessed prostitution in his neighborhood from a young age, distorting his perception of relationships. As he grew older, Chris found himself leveraging his musical talents to manipulate relationships, candidly describing himself during that period as a womanizer. His musical gift had become a tool for attention, admiration, and, at times, irresponsible behavior, which he openly acknowledges.
Chris’s trajectory began shifting dramatically through intentional mentorship from influential pastors, notably Bishop Sears. Sears focused on Chris’s personal development rather than his musical talent alone, helping Chris recognize his inherent worth beyond his gifts. This mentorship helped Chris reorient his life around his identity as a beloved child of God, dramatically reshaping his approach to music and relationships.
In 2017, Chris accepted a new job: Ginghamsburg Church Band Director. At Ginghamsburg Church, Chris embraced a ministry philosophy rooted in personal connection and discipleship. Rather than stringent audition processes, Chris prioritized one-on-one meetings to assess spiritual and emotional health first, considering musical skills secondary. He created a supportive, inclusive environment emphasizing mutual care and genuine community, where every member understood their intrinsic worth apart from musical contributions.
Throughout his tenure, the worship team at Ginghamsburg thrived under Chris’s leadership, driven by collective excellence, respect, and genuine care. Chris consistently emphasized the importance of treating team members as individuals first, closely observing and supporting them beyond mere musical abilities.
As a registered Grammy Awards judge, Chris also leveraged his extensive experiences within the broader music industry. This eventually created avenues for writing original music with the Ginghamsburg Worship Team.
Reflecting on his recent decision to leave his role at Ginghamsburg, Chris emphasizes the importance of obedience to God’s direction. The decision comes with a lot of wrestling and prayer, but in the end, peace. Despite the uncertainties ahead, he believes that listening to God means recognizing that his season at Ginghamsburg has concluded. Chris openly shares his thoughts leading up to his final weekend as the worship pastor, affirming his trust in God’s provision. “God is my parachute,” he confidently declares, “it’s okay to jump.”
Chris’s journey underscores the profound importance of grounding one’s identity in Christ rather than external validation or talent. He passionately states, “My music is a tool, not my identity,” a message he continually imparts to others. His story stands as a powerful testament to the transformative power of intentional mentorship, genuine self-awareness, and Christ-centered living.
Chris Wingfield’s legacy at Ginghamsburg will continue to inspire others toward deeper faith and authentic discipleship, firmly rooted in the understanding that our true worth is found in Christ alone.