Chris Clifton

Chris was born and raised in the Midwest, near Ft. Wayne, Indiana. He grew up in a musical family and regularly served in music ministry at his local church in Grabill, Indiana known as Grabill Missionary Church.

After completing high school, Chris earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from Anderson University in Anderson, Indiana. Afterwards, Chris invested a year performing at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia and in the New Orleans, Louisiana area.

Chris returned to Indiana a year later and he entered the graduate music program at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. Chris completed his course work and was hired to lead the worship ministry at Community of Hope, a church plant near West Palm Beach, Florida. Community of Hope grew from just 30 people to 800 people in attendance during this time. Currently, COH has multiple campuses in Palm Beach County.

In 2001, Chris married Melinda (Mindy) Ann Hymer, a Florida native from Palm Beach County. The couple celebrated the birth of their first child, Landon Myles, in May of 2006, and the birth of their second child, Jeni Ann Marie, in September of 2008.

In 2010, Chris and his family attended Christ Fellowship Church in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, a church in Palm Beach County with many campuses and over 40,000 in attendance. Chris served at multiple campuses as a keyboardist in the worship band and led worship for Celebrate Recovery.

In August 2010, Chris accepted a position at South Park Church in Park Ridge, Illinois. South Park Church serves over 1000 people weekly in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. Chris served as the Director of Worship and Creative Arts leading all aspects of worship, music, media, communications and first impressions ministries.

In 2013, Chris and his family continued serving in ministry and returned to Florida. God led Chris and his family to Central Florida and he began serving at Heartcry Chapel, a small church in Kissimmee, Florida. Chris directed all leader and volunteer development in the worship ministry, instrumental and vocal music, creative arts and technology. Chris was a part of the team that helped transition Heartcry Chapel to its current permanent home in Saint Cloud, Florida. Chris completed his time at Heartcry Chapel in August of 2020.

During this time, Chris began teaching music as a long-term substitute teacher in the Osceola County School District. In 2015, Chris obtained a Temporary Teaching Certificate and began working as a full-time Elementary Music Teacher for Charter Schools USA in Kissimmee, Florida. In 2018, Chris completed the Teacher's Certification program at Valencia College in Kissimmee, Florida and received his Professional Teaching License from the State of Florida. In May 2021, Chris completed his time as a K-8 Music Teacher and Intervention Specialist at BridgePrep Academy of Orange Charter School in Orlando, Florida.

In July 2021, Chris began teaching music with National Academic Educational Partners, Inc. at his former school, P.M. Wells Charter Academy, which is now under new management. He's excited about the new tone, direction, and new team for the relaunch of this school.

In 2021, Chris began filling in for keyboards for worship services at Discovery Church when needed. I enjoy serving with some old friends and new worship teams. In addition to music, Chris became a licensed Life Insurance Agent, launched ChrisClifton.Agency, and is looking to expand both his certifications and his business throughout Central Florida.

His wife works full-time for an international plastics corporation and their family enjoys spending time at theme parks, watching/playing sports and visiting central Florida attractions.