Chris Machen
Worship Minister

Chris Machen Worship Minister

Chris Machen has a long history with Prestonwood Baptist Church. After graduating from Baylor University in 1977, and New Orleans Seminary in 1980, Chris and his wife, Diane became members of Prestonwood in 1982, when Chris accepted the call as Prestonwood's first full-time minister of students and student music. After three years, he and Diane sensed God's calling to return to an itinerant concert ministry.

For the next twenty-five years, Chris and Diane traveled the country, singing and leading worship for churches, conferences and seminars. Having spent over two decades in the field of Contemporary Christian music, Chris has had influence as a singer, songwriter, publisher, dramatic actor, studio musician, choir clinician and worship leader. One of Chris' largest contributions to Christian music has been through choral print music. Choirs all over the world have sung anthems and musicals that he has written, including "Bow the Knee", "I Have Seen the Light", "God is Able" and "God Still Moves." His music has been put in print by publishers such as Word, Brentwood-Benson, Lillenas and Lifeway. Chris' ministry has also been extended through Christian radio, with many of his songs being played nationwide.

With Prestonwood as their home base and "family", Chris and Diane and their two children, Jennifer and Ryan continued to be as active in their home church as possible, helping to lead worship on Wednesday nights, work with the student choir, and lead Bible studies. Chris also was honored to serve as a deacon for several years and play a leading role in many of Prestonwood's "Dallas Christmas Festivals." Then, in 2006 Chris was asked to consider being on staff full-time again, this time as the worship pastor of the new Prestonwood North campus. Following the Lord's leading, he accepted the call and is now actively serving, leading worship and coordinating all the aspects of the music and worship ministry of the Prestonwood North campus. In his ministry at Prestonwood, Chris has come "full circle". Having set up chairs and helping start the new Prestonwood ministry in North Dallas in 1982, he is now setting up chairs again and helping start the new Prestonwood ministry in Prosper. And Chris says, "It's good to be home"!