Bret Chandler
- Email Address: Email Me
- Website: St. Gregory's Episcopal Church
Biography
Growing up as a PK (Preacher’s Kid) to a United Methodist minister in Carmel Indiana, church was a major part of my upbringing. I spent much of my teenage years in youth group and I have been a participant in the church all my life.
All those Sundays of worship instilled in me a longing to understand more and more about “God”—I always wanted to go deeper, I always wanted to take the brackets off. So when I went to college at Indiana University, it did not take too long for me to take an interest in Religious Studies. From there I my interests in the humanities developed as very diligently began to study history, philosophy, and theology.
I felt the calling into ministry in college and began leading a youth church band, and serving as a student pastor in the United Methodist Church in Bloomington and Indianapolis. Afterwards, I journeyed to Chicago to get my Masters in Divinity at the University of Chicago, which has prepared me for pastoral ministry. After I graduated I remained in the Chicago area, and took a job as Associate Pastor of Outreach at the Community Church of Wilmette.
My own life took a dramatic turn with the birth of my twins. My wife, whom I met in high school, and I made the difficult decision for me to become a SAHD (Stay-At-Home-Dad), which would remain my primary focus for the next three years. Raising my twins suddenly brought a new calling into my life to working with youth. I began tutoring at Chicago Lights Tutoring in downtown Chicago until I was presented with the wonderful opportunity to become the new Youth Minister at St. Gregory’s. This is truly an amazing church with an exciting youth program, and I am most blessed to be a part of its ministry!
Interests
I have many interests and I try to make as much time for them as possible. Being with my kids and my wife, Meredith, is always a welcomed priority. I love watching good movies, playing games (particularly chess and texas hold ‘em), and listening to music. I have been playing guitar since I was 13, and I always take solace in playing good music. I also love philosophy, sociology, and politics—I am rarely ever found without a good book in one of the latter topics close to hand. I also enjoy playing and watching sports, particularly tennis, basketball, and football. Most importantly I love to laugh with people.
