Chris Elrod
Encyclopedia
Chris Elrod is the lead pastor and founder of Compass Point Church, a Christian
church plant in Lakeland, Florida
. A pastor, speaker, blog
ger and writer, Elrod is best known as a successful Christian comedian who toured extensively throughout North America from 1990 to 2000.
, and a graduate of East Texas Baptist University
, Elrod also lived in West Monroe, Louisiana
, Colorado Springs, Colorado
and the suburbs of Orlando, Florida
.
Getting his start as a Christian comedian during his college days, Elrod toured throughout the United States and Canada appearing at churches, comedy clubs, college campuses, Christian music festivals and television. Represented by the Ambassador Speaker's Bureau, he averaged over 200 speaking engagements each year and shared the stage with such diverse Christian artists as Kathy Troccoli
, The Newsboys and Larnelle Harris
. He also spoke in hundreds of prisons throughout the U.S. as a platform artist for Operation Starting Line, a ministry outreach of Prison Fellowship
.
After leaving a full-time speaking ministry in 2000 Elrod served as associate pastor in Southern Baptist Convention
churches throughout Central Florida, including Dr. Al Mohler's home church, Southside Baptist Church. In 2004 Elrod founded a Bible study in a north Lakeland apartment complex, which quickly grew into an official church plant for the Florida Baptist Convention
. Today Compass Point Church attracts mainly young families and is considered a portable church.
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
church plant in Lakeland, Florida
Lakeland, Florida
Lakeland is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States, located approximately midway between Tampa and Orlando along Interstate 4. According to the 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimate, the city had a population of 94,406...
. A pastor, speaker, blog
Blog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
ger and writer, Elrod is best known as a successful Christian comedian who toured extensively throughout North America from 1990 to 2000.
Biography
Born in Shreveport, LouisianaShreveport, Louisiana
Shreveport is the third largest city in Louisiana. It is the principal city of the fourth largest metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana and is the 109th-largest city in the United States....
, and a graduate of East Texas Baptist University
East Texas Baptist University
East Texas Baptist University is a private, coeducational Christian university in Marshall, Texas, United States associated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas.- History :...
, Elrod also lived in West Monroe, Louisiana
West Monroe, Louisiana
West Monroe is a city in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 13,250 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Monroe Metropolitan Statistical Area....
, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and most populous city of El Paso County, Colorado, United States. Colorado Springs is located in South-Central Colorado, in the southern portion of the state. It is situated on Fountain Creek and is located south of the Colorado...
and the suburbs of Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
.
Getting his start as a Christian comedian during his college days, Elrod toured throughout the United States and Canada appearing at churches, comedy clubs, college campuses, Christian music festivals and television. Represented by the Ambassador Speaker's Bureau, he averaged over 200 speaking engagements each year and shared the stage with such diverse Christian artists as Kathy Troccoli
Kathy Troccoli
Kathleen Colleen "Kathy" Troccoli is a contemporary Christian singer, author, and speaker.-Personal:Born in Brooklyn, New York, on June 24, 1958, Troccoli moved at age three and was raised in Islip Terrace, Long Island, New York, graduating from East Islip High School. At 15, she lost her father...
, The Newsboys and Larnelle Harris
Larnelle Harris
Larnelle Steward Harris is a gospel singer and songwriter. During his 30-plus years of ministry, Harris has recorded 18 albums, won five Grammy Awards and 18 Dove Awards, and has had several number one songs on the inspirational music charts.-Early life:A native of Danville, Kentucky, Harris...
. He also spoke in hundreds of prisons throughout the U.S. as a platform artist for Operation Starting Line, a ministry outreach of Prison Fellowship
Prison Fellowship
Prison Fellowship is a Christian prison outreach and criminal justice reform organization. Its programs reach prisoners, ex-prisoners, and families of prisoners throughout the United States and, through Prison Fellowship International , in 112 countries worldwide.- Leadership :Charles W...
.
After leaving a full-time speaking ministry in 2000 Elrod served as associate pastor in Southern Baptist Convention
Southern Baptist Convention
The Southern Baptist Convention is a United States-based Christian denomination. It is the world's largest Baptist denomination and the largest Protestant body in the United States, with over 16 million members...
churches throughout Central Florida, including Dr. Al Mohler's home church, Southside Baptist Church. In 2004 Elrod founded a Bible study in a north Lakeland apartment complex, which quickly grew into an official church plant for the Florida Baptist Convention
Florida Baptist Convention
The Florida Baptist Convention is a group of churches affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention located in the U.S. state of Florida...
. Today Compass Point Church attracts mainly young families and is considered a portable church.