Dr. Chris Ward began his ministry as Director of Missions for the Riverside Baptist Association on June 1, 2004. He came to us after serving as Pastor of the Ninth Street Baptist Church, Erwin, Tennessee. Dr. Ward has served in pastoral ministry for thirty-two years, having served churches in Georgia and Tennessee. He has served in each of the Grand Divisions of the state of Tennessee. He is married to Susan Christine “Chrisie” Ward, and has two daughters: Melissa Ward Buchanan and Lindsey Erin Ward.

Dr. Ward was licensed to the Gospel Ministry in 1971, and was ordained to the Gospel Ministry in 1975. He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Union University in Jackson, Tennessee in 1975. He later earned a Master of Divinity Degree from The Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas in 1981, and a Doctor of Ministry Degree from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky in 1992.

During his ministry, he has served on numerous committees on the church, association, and state level. He has served on the Tennessee Baptist Convention Executive Board. He has pastored churches of various sizes, and believes that every church is of eternal importance to God and the work of His Kingdom. He also believes that he can relate to the pastors and church leadership no matter the numerical size of the church. Dr. Ward strongly supports the Cooperative Program as the best means of funding Missions.

Dr. Ward prefers the title “Brother,” as it denotes family and relationship. He believes that the biblical model of leadership is “Servant Leader.” He is a people person, and believes that relating to people and loving them in Christ are his greatest strengths