Craig Groeschel

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Craig Groeschel (born December 2, 1967) is the founder and main pastor of LifeChurch.tv, the largest Christian church in Oklahoma, and an American multi-site church with multiple locations in five states. Groeschel is known for his casual, humorous and personable style of communication of Christian belief. He is married with six children and lives in Edmond, Oklahoma, a suburb of Oklahoma City, where LifeChurch.tv is based.

[edit] Biography

Groeschel was born in Houston, Texas and grew up in southern Oklahoma. He attended Oklahoma City University, a private university in Oklahoma City affiliated with the United Methodist Church, on an athletic scholarship, and as a young adult had a profound conversion experience to Christianity. Shortly thereafter he met his wife Amy and the two married in 1991. That same year, Groeschel entered the ministry as an associate pastor in the United Methodist Church. He attended Phillips Theological Seminary, which is affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and secured a Master of Divinity degree. He was an associate pastor at an Oklahoma City Methodist church, but later left the Methodist Church before completing his planned ordination.

In 1996, Groeschel and a handful of congregants started Life Covenant Church in a two-car garage. Ignited by Groeschel’s vision to do church in a casual non-traditional style, attendance of Life Covenant grew rapidly, eventually evolving into what is now the eleven LifeChurch.tv campuses in five states. Most in attendance at Life Church worship experiences are casually dressed, and refreshments are served to encourage fellowship.

Groeschel's humorous and inspirational teaching style sets him apart from more traditional clergy. While maintaining a distinctly evangelical theology, Groeschel does not typically stress unessential doctrine but instead focuses on practical issues such as marriage, family, relationships, finances, and generosity. Groeschel often cites Billy Graham and Bill Hybels as personal role models and states that his mission is “to lead people to become fully devoted followers of Christ.”

Groeschel has authored several books including Chazown: A Different Way to See Your Life.