Rt. Rev. Chris Giesler

Director of Mission Engagement

Chris began his ministry with the Board of World Mission in September of 2018 and feels that his lifelong connection with the Moravian Church and its mission focus has prepared him to be part of the BWM staff.

Chris brings with him a wide range of experiences having been served by and serving the wider Moravian community. He lived in Nicaragua, where his parents were serving as Moravian missionaries until he was nine years old. At that time his family moved to Winston-Salem, NC, where he was an active part of the Friedberg, King, and Bethabara Moravian congregations as his father served as pastor. While serving on the M-Staff for six summers at Laurel Ridge he felt the call to serve the Lord and the Moravian Church and thus continued his studies at Moravian College and Theological Seminary. During his college years, he met his future wife Tina and they were married while he was in seminary. Following his graduation, Chris was ordained in 1986 and then served as pastor of the Bethesda and Redeemer congregations in the Southern Province. From there he served for eight years as the Chaplain at Moravian College and Theological Seminary and then became the Director of Youth Ministry for the Eastern District, leading workshops, youth events, camps, and retreats. In this role, he also helped to organize many of the Youth and Young Adult Convos of the 1990s and 2000s. From there he served as pastor of the Edgeboro and Emmaus congregations in the Eastern District, continuing his active involvement with camping ministry. He was elected a Bishop of the Moravian Unity by the Synod of the Northern Province in 2010. Chris and Tina have two adult children, their spouses, and six grandchildren, who light up their lives. He enjoys running and traveling but mostly spending quality time with his family.

Chris’ main focus with the Board of World Mission is to keep congregations and their members informed about Board of World Mission initiatives, as well as to help them find their own passion for mission in the neighborhoods where they are located. He also hopes to assist individuals to hear God’s voice, discern their spiritual gifts and call, and respond in loving service.