Dr. Christopher M. Pollock, B.A., M.Div., D.Min

405.204.4032 • ChrisPollockOKC@gmail.com • www.linkedin.com/in/chrispollockokc

LEADERSHIP FORMATION AND COMMUNITY CULTIVATOR

Strategic and community-rooted pastor, organizational leader, teacher, and coach with more than 25 years of experience cultivating healthy organizations, forming leaders, and building initiatives that strengthen neighborhoods and communities. Experienced in guiding churches, nonprofits, and mission-driven teams through seasons of growth, transition, discernment, and institutional change with clarity, courage, and long-term sustainability in mind.

Skilled in developing meaningful partnerships, cultivating generosity, mentoring leaders, and creating collaborative environments where people, organizations, and communities can flourish together. Brings a unique integration of theological formation, organizational leadership, public communication, and community development shaped by years of pastoral ministry, church planting, teaching, and nonprofit leadership.

AREAS OF WORK AND EXPERIENCE

• Leadership Formation & Organizational Health

• Community Building & Neighborhood Engagement

• Fundraising, Generosity & Donor Stewardship

• Vision Development & Institutional Discernment

• Team Leadership & Collaborative Culture-Building

• Church Planting & Mission-Driven Organizational Development

• Public Speaking, Teaching & Facilitating Conversations

• Volunteer Mobilization & Leadership Development

• Strategic Planning & Sustainable Growth

• Partnership Cultivation & Community Collaboration

• Program Development & Community Initiatives

• Financial Stewardship & Organizational Oversight

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Lead Pastor / Executive Leader

8th Street Church, OKC (Church/Nonprofit Organization) — Oklahoma City, OK
2015–Present

• Founded and scaled a mission-driven nonprofit organization from initial launch to a sustained community of 450+ participants, building engagement pipelines and operational infrastructure from the ground up.

• Led full organizational build-out, including governance design, board recruitment and development, 501(c)(3) formation, and implementation of scalable operational systems.

• Grew annual operating revenue from startup phase to nearly $700,000, securing over $3 million in philanthropic funding through strategic donor development, partnerships, and campaign execution.

• Designed and executed integrated fundraising and engagement strategies, including donor lifecycle management, recurring revenue systems, and long-term stewardship models.

• Built and led cross-functional teams, including multiple full-time and part-time staff, and a large volunteer base; developed leadership pipelines through coaching, training, and performance alignment.

• Established and oversee supporting nonprofit entities, including the Classen Chapel Foundation (501(c)(3)), providing strategic leadership, governance, and financial oversight.

• Co-founded and helped launch the Midtown Community Foundation (501(c)(3)), a community-based initiative focused on food access and neighborhood development; currently serve on the board leading fundraising strategy, stakeholder engagement, and narrative development, contributing to the distribution of over 400,000 meals to address regional food insecurity.

• Act as primary external representative, leading stakeholder engagement, partnership development, and public-facing communication across nonprofit, civic, and community sectors.

Executive Pastor of Age Groups (Senior Director)

Bethany First Church of the Nazarene — Bethany, OK
2010–2015

• Led and developed a team of 14 full-time staff and more than 1,000 volunteers across multiple departments, building leadership pipelines and strengthening organizational culture.

• Directed a comprehensive, year-round recreation ministry (basketball, baseball, soccer) for children and adults, using sports as a primary avenue for community engagement and outreach.

• Managed organizational strategy, budgeting, and operational planning, aligning resources with mission-driven priorities and measurable outcomes.

• Led cross-functional initiatives to improve efficiency, communication, and integration across ministry areas and organizational systems.

• Contributed to long-term strategic planning, supporting sustained growth, program development, and church-wide vision execution.

• Oversaw age group and family ministries, including middle school, high school, university, children’s ministries, and early childhood programs (Mother’s Day Out, My Lamb’s Preschool, and after-school initiatives).

• Championed inclusive ministry through leadership, serving children with learning differences and unique needs.

• Directed student-focused care and recovery initiatives, including a recovery ministry for teenagers and broader pastoral care systems for families.

• Designed and executed large-scale events, camps, and gatherings for thousands of participants, creating environments for connection, formation, and community building.

• Served as a regular preacher and sought-after speaker, communicating to large and diverse audiences with clarity, relevance, and pastoral depth.

• Developed and delivered teaching series, retreats, and leadership trainings to support spiritual formation and volunteer development across all age groups.

• Built strong relational networks with families, students, and community stakeholders to increase engagement, trust, and long-term participation.

• Engaged in local and global missions efforts, mobilizing volunteers and resources to support impactful outreach initiatives. 
  

Middle School & High School Pastor
Bethany First Church of the Nazarene & Central Church of the Nazarene — Bethany, OK/Lenexa, KS

2002-2010

• Recruited and trained 1,000+ volunteers over eight years in large nonprofit program settings.

• Planned gathering events for hundreds of people of all ages.

• Oversaw budgets, program planning, and major events, serving hundreds annually.

• Led cross-functional collaboration with families, schools, community partners, and civic leaders.

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, COACHING & EDUCATION 

• Coach and develop leaders across diverse sectors, including entrepreneurs, nonprofit founders, university faculty, faith leaders, public officials, and mental health professionals

• Provide one-on-one coaching, organizational consulting, and leadership formation, helping individuals launch, grow, and sustain small businesses and nonprofit organizations

• Deliver graduate-level instruction, conference presentations, and leadership training, translating complex ideas into practical strategies for real-world application

• Served as Adjunct Professor, Olivet Nazarene University (Graduate Program), teaching family systems with a focus on leadership dynamics, organizational health, and relational systems

• Taught Biblical Literature, Psychology of Religion, and Ethics at Southern Nazarene University, integrating interdisciplinary approaches to leadership, human behavior, and decision-making

• Design and facilitate learning environments that emphasize critical thinking, applied leadership, and organizational effectiveness across academic and professional contexts
  

EDUCATION

Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.), Practical Theology, 2011
Fuller Theological Seminary

• Advanced study in leadership, organizational systems, psychology, culture, and applied theology in complex, real-world contexts

Master of Divinity (M.Div.), Education Emphasis, 2003
Nazarene Theological Seminary

• Graduate-level training in leadership, ethics, communication, and organizational development

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Psychology, 1999
Olivet Nazarene University

• Foundation in human behavior, motivation, and interpersonal dynamics