In this episode of the Fathering Strong podcast, host Eli Williams speaks with Chris Lightfoot about his journey as a father and the impactful work he is doing at the Center for Christian Virtue. Chris shares his experiences growing up as a pastor's kid, the lessons he learned about responsibility and character from his father, and how these lessons shaped his approach to fatherhood. He discusses the challenges and joys of parenting, particularly with his three children, and reflects on the importance of patience and mentorship in raising the next generation. The conversation also delves into the Hope in the Future initiative, which aims to strengthen families and address the breakdown of marriage in communities. Chris emphasizes the need for churches to engage with fathers and provide support, highlighting the role of the Church Ambassador Network in equipping local churches to foster healthy relationships and families. The episode concludes with Chris sharing the accomplishments of the Center for Christian Virtue and his personal motivation for the work he does.Takeaways- Chris Lightfoot grew up as a pastor's kid, which shaped his values.- His father taught him important lessons about responsibility and character.- Chris faced challenges as a teenager but learned from his mistakes.- He emphasizes the importance of patience in parenting.- Baptizing his sons was a significant joy for Chris.- The Hope in the Future initiative aims to strengthen families.- Chris believes churches need to engage more with fathers.- The Center for Christian Virtue focuses on community impact through family values.- Chris's work helps him become a better father.- He sees his role as equipping pastors and churches for ministry.Chapters00:00 Chris Lightfoot's Early Life and Lessons from His Father09:01 Chris Lightfoot's Fatherhood Journey16:04 Chris Lightfoot's Work at the Center for Christian Virtue21:48 The Impact of Family Structure on Community Issues25:13 Addressing Fatherhood in the Church32:33 Achievements of the Center for Christian Virtue39:14 The Role of the Church in Community Transformation42:08 Personal Motivation Behind the WorkTo reach out to Chris and learn more about Church Ambassador network go to https://www.ccv.org. To learn more about the research focused on the impact of importance of marriage an strong families and get a copy of the 2025 Hope and Future Report go to https://hope.ccv.org/hope/.The Fathering Strong podcast is a production of Urban Light Ministries. To support Fathering Strong and help us continue to reach more fathers please go to https://givebutter.com/J8PuE8.If you are interested in becoming a corporate sponsor go to https://givebutter.com/0V6zEb.
