— servant leader
Faith-Driven Leadership:
The Journey of Chris Reighley
Executive Master of Public Service and Administration Candidate,
Texas A&M University
The Bush School of Government and Public Service
Founder and Executive Director, Shoe Leather Gospel.
Howdy! I’m Chris Reighley, and my life has been a journey of faith, family, and mission. As an ordained chaplain, Bible teacher, and Colson Fellow, I’ve had the privilege of serving in ways I could never have imagined.
Colossians 3:23–24 has been my guiding light:
“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. Serve the Lord Christ.”
This verse reminds me daily that everything I do is for God’s glory, not for personal success.
Faith
Faith is the foundation of everything I do. Through founding Shoe Leather Gospel, I’ve seen firsthand how the Word of God can transform lives. Our mission is simple—combat biblical illiteracy and equip believers to apply scripture in real-life situations. But none of this is possible without Christ leading the way.
One of the guiding principles I live by is a quote from Charles Colson:
“Faithfulness, not success.”
This reminds me that my focus isn’t on worldly achievement but on being faithful to the work God has placed before me. I’ll never forget an exhausting disaster relief deployment after Hurricane Harvey when I hit a wall physically and emotionally. It was in that moment I realized that leadership isn’t about me—it’s about serving Christ through serving others. That experience deepened my understanding of humility and servant leadership.
KXAN New Report from Hurricane Harvey
Family
Family is the heartbeat of my life. I’ve been blessed with an incredible wife, Melody, and two wonderful children, Connor and Delaney. Our move to Bryan, Texas, brought us closer to our kids and made me reflect on the importance of being present in the lives of those I love.
In every aspect of my leadership, I lean on the lessons I’ve learned from my family—love, patience, and service. Whether it’s leading my family or managing a ministry, I am reminded that true leadership begins at home. My family has been my greatest support and teacher, helping me stay grounded and focused on what matters most.
Mission
My mission is to serve Christ through everything I do. This has led me to pursue an Executive Master of Public Service and Administration at Texas A&M, where I am learning how to integrate faith-based leadership into public service. Through disaster relief, ministry, and academic work, I’ve realized that leadership is about raising others up and helping them grow. As I continue toward a PhD in Political Science, my goal is to bring biblical ethics into public policy, influencing communities for the better.
I am also inspired by the words of George H.W. Bush:
“From now on, any definition of a successful life must include serving others.”
This quote resonates deeply with my life’s mission—serving others isn’t just part of my work; it’s at the very core of it. Whether in disaster relief or ministry, I find my greatest joy in seeing others step into leadership roles themselves, reflecting the essence of servant leadership.
Looking ahead, I’m excited about what the future holds. Every step of my journey is marked by God’s grace, and I strive to walk in humility, always remembering that success isn’t measured by worldly standards. It’s about faithfulness to God’s call—serving where He places me, leading with integrity, and making a lasting impact.
