Chris Rinkenberger

I became ordained online to be able to officiate a wedding for a friend.

Central Illinois

I hope to help people grow in their faith and relationship to Christ and his Church.

My ministry is firmly rooted in the Christian faith and in a personal commitment to following Jesus Christ. I believe the Christian life is not simply about identifying with a particular religion or attending church, but about entering into a lifelong relationship with Christ and allowing the Holy Spirit to continually transform us into His likeness. I believe Christians are called to love God wholeheartedly, love others, grow in faith and obedience, and place Christ first in every area of life. This growth is a lifelong journey shaped by God's Word, prayer, fellowship with other believers, service, and even the trials and difficulties God uses to mature our faith. I believe Scripture calls Christians to live faithfully in the world without being conformed to the world's values. Our lives should reflect the character of Christ through the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23, ESV).

My desire as a minister is to represent Christ with biblical faithfulness, humility, compassion, and integrity. I believe the Christian is called not only to receive God's grace but also to live in such a way that others can see the transforming power of that grace.

At the center of my faith is the conviction that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior, and that everything we are and everything we do should ultimately bring honor and glory to Him.

What makes my ceremonies special is that I believe marriage is much more than a wedding day—it is a sacred covenant and lifelong commitment ordained by God. I approach each ceremony with the conviction that marriage is intended to be a permanent, deeply intimate relationship between a man and a woman, reflecting God's design and purpose for the relationship. Jesus reminds us, “What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate” (Matthew 19:6, ESV).

Because of this, I don't see my role as simply helping a couple get married. I see it as an opportunity to help them understand the seriousness, beauty, joy, and responsibility of the covenant they are making. A wedding ceremony should celebrate love, but it should also point a couple toward faithfulness, forgiveness, sacrifice, humility, and perseverance.

I believe Scripture calls couples to pursue reconciliation when difficulties arise rather than viewing divorce as the first solution. Marriage will have seasons of joy as well as seasons that require patience and grace. I desire to encourage couples to build their marriage on Christ and to remember that a lasting marriage requires more than feelings—it requires a daily commitment to love one another.

Ultimately, I want every ceremony I officiate to be Christ-centered, personal, meaningful, and memorable. I want the couple and their families to leave not only having witnessed a beautiful wedding, but having been reminded of the sacred promise being made: two lives becoming one, committed to loving one another faithfully and honoring God through their marriage.

As a minister, I believe my calling is first and foremost to serve Jesus Christ by serving people. Ministry is more than standing before a congregation or officiating a ceremony; it is the privilege and responsibility of walking alongside people through the significant moments of their lives—celebration, transition, grief, difficulty, and hope.

Scripture describes the pastor as a shepherd who is called to lovingly lead, feed, equip, and protect God's people. Ephesians 4:11–13 reminds us that pastors and teachers are given “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (ESV). My desire is to faithfully fulfill that calling by teaching God's Word, encouraging spiritual growth, offering wise and compassionate counsel, and helping people discover the hope and grace found in Jesus Christ. I believe a minister should be prepared to “preach the word…in season and out of season”—correcting, encouraging, and teaching with patience and faithfulness (2 Timothy 4:2). At the same time, ministry must never become merely about words from a pulpit. It is about being present with people and demonstrating Christ's love through compassionate service.

Whether I am officiating a wedding, leading a funeral or memorial service, offering a prayer, providing pastoral counsel, conducting a baptism, leading worship, or simply sitting with someone who needs to be heard, I consider it a sacred opportunity to serve.

My goal is to minister with integrity, compassion, humility, and biblical faithfulness, remembering Peter's instruction to “shepherd the flock of God that is among you” willingly and eagerly (1 Peter 5:2, ESV). Ultimately, I want the people I serve to experience not simply a minister's services, but the presence, compassion, truth, and hope of Christ through the ministry I provide.