We [love] you so much that we [are] delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our lives as well, because you [have] become so dear to us.” 1 Thessalonians 2:8

The Chloupek family – Sonja, Chris, Chase and Cassidi!
The Chloupek family – Sonja, Chris, Chase and Cassidi!

Today we welcome into our fellowship, the Chloupek family – Chris, Sonja, Chase and Cassidi! The Lord has used them in an incredible way in planting and building the Phoenix International Christian Church! A little less than five years ago, they began a house church with just four disciples. Today, the Phoenix Church has 113 disciples and 200 on Sunday mornings! Chris & Sonja will serve as our new North Region Leaders, as Michael & Michele Williamson are being sent-out by the Spirit leading the London Mission Team! Prayerfully, over the next year, the North Region will multiply through discipleship into three regions. The first is the AMS (Arts-Media-Sports) Region. This region will be focused on reaching-out to actors, musicians and anyone connected to the “Hollywood scene,” as well as to LA’s many professional athletes. The second is the Ventura Region, which will cover all of Ventura County including such cities as Thousand Oaks, Camarillo, Oxnard, Ojai, Simi Valley and of course the city of Ventura. (Ryan & Iyonna Keenan of Eugene will be the leaders of the new Ventura House Church in August, which in time will become the Ventura Region.) The third region is the new North Region, whose charge is to evangelize northern LA County – all the way from Calabasas to downtown LA to the Antelope Valley. We believe that, through the Lord, Chris & Sonja are up to this momentous challenge!

Chris was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on January 8, 1962 to Neal & Judy Chloupek – who both became baptized disciples through the love of the Phoenix International Christian Church. After high school, Chris served in the U.S. Army during the early 80’s spending much of that time in Italy. He later returned to the States and attended Northern Arizona University graduating in 1989 with a B.S. in Criminology. In order to pursue a career in acting, Chris moved to Hollywood, and to make ends meet, even worked as a bodyguard for Guns N’ Roses! This godless existence led to tremendous sin and furthered his fall into drugs and alcohol abuse. In time, one of Chris’ friends became a disciple and shared with Chris. Chris was baptized in a pool in Burbank on November 3, 1993 through the efforts of the AMS Ministry of the Los Angeles International Church of Christ (ICOC). The Lord used him and within one year Chris was invited to serve full-time in the ministry. It was about this time that a former model, Sonja Pedersen, became a disciple! She and Chris became friends and started dating!

Sonja was born July 2, 1970 in the small town of Vryheid (Freedom), South Africa. Her parents Norman & Marlene recently celebrated their 48th Wedding Anniversary! Sonja shares, “At 18, rather than enroll in university, I took off to London for what I thought would be one year abroad. God transformed that into 22 years of granting me more than I could ever have dreamed or imagined! I was blessed to experience almost 20 different countries where I worked as a waitress, picking strawberries (you do what you have to do!) driving a fork-lift in a factory, milking cows (see what I mean!) serving as a nanny, sales and then finally, I entered a modeling career.”

All looked perfect on the outside, but Sonja knew that she was dying on the inside and began crying out for help. In 1994, a huge earthquake hit Los Angeles, literally shaking Sonja’s confidence in the world and all that she had trusted in. In desperation, she began to pursue God and soon was invited to the Los Angeles ICOC. Sonja says that after she studied the Bible, “By God’s incredible grace and mercy, I was baptized into the dynamic AMS Ministry on Women’s Day – March 5, 1994!” Sonja is so thankful to Coleen Graham, Lane Morrell, Lisa Selusky, Mikkel Jackson and so many others that taught her how to love God for the first time. Sonja adds, “God lavished his love on me a year later to be united in holy matrimony with my knight, Chris Chloupek!”

Paula and Burgandie celebrate Rhea’s baptism!
Paula and Burgandie celebrate Rhea’s baptism!

During the next seven years, both Chris & Sonja served in the full-time ministry in the AMS and Orange County Regions. In December of 1996, Chris was appointed evangelist and Sonja a Women’s Ministry Leader. Making these years even more exciting, the Chloupeks were blessed with two amazing children – Chase (12) and Cassidi (10)! Of special note, Sonja was the co-anchor for KNN and Chris fulfilled his acting dream in several of the KNN short productions. Then in 2002, Chris began seeing major changes in the Los Angeles ICOC leadership. The spirit and heart of the people changed as did the direction of the church, when the leadership went back to a Mainline Church of Christ theology. With the loss of a vision for the entire world, Chris felt the church was unraveling and so decided to step out of the ministry in 2002.

Jason, his daughters – Lian and Kali, and Lance are all fired-up about Jason’s restoration!
Jason, his daughters – Lian and Kali, and Lance are all fired-up about Jason’s restoration!

Matt Sullivan, who in July 2006 led a mission team of 14 from Portland to Phoenix, writes about Chris & Sonja’s darkest days:

“As with many who ‘look back’ after following Jesus, the Chloupeks headed for Chris’ boyhood home of Phoenix. (Luke 9:62) They lived with Chris’ father for awhile to gain financial stability. They were blessed financially in the next few years as the housing market boomed in Arizona. Chris became a business manager for a large housing development company. His salary was such that the Chloupeks purchased houses as investment properties as well as buying their own home in Scottsdale, a wealthy suburb of Phoenix.”

“Sadly, Chris lost heart and conviction as he was lulled into lukewarmness in the local ICOC church. Even so, he was shocked by the hundreds falling away and walking away from this congregation. Feeling unused and losing most of his Kingdom dreams, Chris turned to some of his old sins… Truly, ‘Where there is no vision, the people perish.’ (Proverbs 29:18 KJV) At that same time, Sonja was discouraged in their marriage and struggled with bitterness towards Chris’ sins and lack of spiritual leadership.”

“In time, Chris was moved by God to repent of his lukewarmness. He began calling people around him back to the core convictions of discipleship. Yet, after not finding any ‘likeminded’ spirits in Phoenix, Chris & Sonja – desperate for some ray of hope – traveled to see first-hand the controversial Portland Church. After the Sunday Worship Service, Chris exclaimed, ‘Now this is the church I was baptized into!’ The Chloupeks – realized that their former church could not be reformed from the inside – decided to start a new congregation of only sold-out disciples in Phoenix. So on September 25, 2005, Chris & Sonja and two others courageously decided to start a house church in their living room.”

“Consequently, a letter from the leadership of their former fellowship was sent out to mark and disfellowship the Chloupeks; also wrongly marked were Kip & Elena and the entire Portland Church, which had become the fastest growing ICOC congregation in the world. God blessed the Chloupeks tremendously as several were baptized very soon afterwards.”

I still remember Chris & Sonja leaving Portland to confront the leaders in their former fellowship with the sin of lukewarmness and I simply gave them the charge, “Go in the strength you have… [for God is] sending you!” (Judges 6:14) This Gideon-like faith has allowed Chris and Sonja to become one of the most powerful and dynamic ministry couples that we have in the entire movement. After nine months of leading the house church, Chris called me in Portland to ask for a trained full-time person to come down and take over the leadership of the Phoenix Church. The Spirit sent Matt & Helen Sullivan, who not only multiplied the disciples in Phoenix, but rebuilt the Chloupeks’ faith through patient and loving discipling. During these days, the current recession was hitting Phoenix especially hard. Chris & Sonja saw the hand of God that had blessed them with many houses now taking them back! (Job 1:21) The Lord stripped away from the Chloupeks’ lives the thistles and thorns – “the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth – that make [one] unfruitful.” Being freed from worldly concerns, God then gave them the opportunity to relive their Kingdom dream of the full-time ministry! Therefore, they were reinstated as Evangelist and Women’s Ministry Leader by Matt & Helen, as well as going back into the full-time ministry in June 2008.

The OC sisters gather around Karla after her baptism!
The OC sisters gather around Karla after her baptism!

After the Spirit sent the Sullivans to Santiago, the Chloupeks were appointed to lead the Phoenix Church. Through their humble guidance, not only has God doubled the congregation in two years time, but the Lord has sent out 17 disciples to build up our sister churches in Santiago, Portland, San Diego and of course Los Angeles! As of last Sunday, the Chloupeks passed the mantle of leadership to Luke & Brandyn Speckman, who they have trained for the ministry. Naturally, Chris & Sonja will continue to oversee the Phoenix Church. Truly, the Chloupeks’ story has given courage and hope to several other couples – such as the Willises in Australia – to start new churches of sold-out disciples!

Martin baptizes his wife Leny into Christ!
Martin baptizes his wife Leny into Christ!

Elena & I love the Chloupek family “so much that we [are] delighted to share with [them] not only the gospel of God, but our lives as well, because [they have] become so dear to us.” Elena recently shared about Sonja, “Sonja’s charismatic speaking ability as well as her loving heart have influenced all ages of women around the world! So amazing – through the Phoenix Women’s Ministry – is the conversion of Brittany Bell, the current Miss Arizona!” Chris has become a gifted orator, an excellent church builder, and a very, very “dear” friend to me. His passionate concern for each individual’s needs to be met in his congregation is an upward call to all evangelists. I pray that all of us in Los Angeles will “open wide our hearts” to this gallant family! (2 Corinthians 6:11) Let us pray for the Chloupeks’ ministry here in LA, in Phoenix and in every place that the Spirit leads them. And to God be the glory!

Kip McKean
Kip McKean

We [love] you so much that we [are] delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our lives as well, because you [have] become so dear to us.” 1 Thessalonians 2:8

The Chloupek family – Sonja, Chris, Chase and Cassidi!
The Chloupek family – Sonja, Chris, Chase and Cassidi!

Today we welcome into our fellowship, the Chloupek family – Chris, Sonja, Chase and Cassidi! The Lord has used them in an incredible way in planting and building the Phoenix International Christian Church! A little less than five years ago, they began a house church with just four disciples. Today, the Phoenix Church has 113 disciples and 200 on Sunday mornings! Chris & Sonja will serve as our new North Region Leaders, as Michael & Michele Williamson are being sent-out by the Spirit leading the London Mission Team! Prayerfully, over the next year, the North Region will multiply through discipleship into three regions. The first is the AMS (Arts-Media-Sports) Region. This region will be focused on reaching-out to actors, musicians and anyone connected to the “Hollywood scene,” as well as to LA’s many professional athletes. The second is the Ventura Region, which will cover all of Ventura County including such cities as Thousand Oaks, Camarillo, Oxnard, Ojai, Simi Valley and of course the city of Ventura. (Ryan & Iyonna Keenan of Eugene will be the leaders of the new Ventura House Church in August, which in time will become the Ventura Region.) The third region is the new North Region, whose charge is to evangelize northern LA County – all the way from Calabasas to downtown LA to the Antelope Valley. We believe that, through the Lord, Chris & Sonja are up to this momentous challenge!

Chris was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on January 8, 1962 to Neal & Judy Chloupek – who both became baptized disciples through the love of the Phoenix International Christian Church. After high school, Chris served in the U.S. Army during the early 80’s spending much of that time in Italy. He later returned to the States and attended Northern Arizona University graduating in 1989 with a B.S. in Criminology. In order to pursue a career in acting, Chris moved to Hollywood, and to make ends meet, even worked as a bodyguard for Guns N’ Roses! This godless existence led to tremendous sin and furthered his fall into drugs and alcohol abuse. In time, one of Chris’ friends became a disciple and shared with Chris. Chris was baptized in a pool in Burbank on November 3, 1993 through the efforts of the AMS Ministry of the Los Angeles International Church of Christ (ICOC). The Lord used him and within one year Chris was invited to serve full-time in the ministry. It was about this time that a former model, Sonja Pedersen, became a disciple! She and Chris became friends and started dating!

Sonja was born July 2, 1970 in the small town of Vryheid (Freedom), South Africa. Her parents Norman & Marlene recently celebrated their 48th Wedding Anniversary! Sonja shares, “At 18, rather than enroll in university, I took off to London for what I thought would be one year abroad. God transformed that into 22 years of granting me more than I could ever have dreamed or imagined! I was blessed to experience almost 20 different countries where I worked as a waitress, picking strawberries (you do what you have to do!) driving a fork-lift in a factory, milking cows (see what I mean!) serving as a nanny, sales and then finally, I entered a modeling career.”

All looked perfect on the outside, but Sonja knew that she was dying on the inside and began crying out for help. In 1994, a huge earthquake hit Los Angeles, literally shaking Sonja’s confidence in the world and all that she had trusted in. In desperation, she began to pursue God and soon was invited to the Los Angeles ICOC. Sonja says that after she studied the Bible, “By God’s incredible grace and mercy, I was baptized into the dynamic AMS Ministry on Women’s Day – March 5, 1994!” Sonja is so thankful to Coleen Graham, Lane Morrell, Lisa Selusky, Mikkel Jackson and so many others that taught her how to love God for the first time. Sonja adds, “God lavished his love on me a year later to be united in holy matrimony with my knight, Chris Chloupek!”

Paula and Burgandie celebrate Rhea’s baptism!
Paula and Burgandie celebrate Rhea’s baptism!

During the next seven years, both Chris & Sonja served in the full-time ministry in the AMS and Orange County Regions. In December of 1996, Chris was appointed evangelist and Sonja a Women’s Ministry Leader. Making these years even more exciting, the Chloupeks were blessed with two amazing children – Chase (12) and Cassidi (10)! Of special note, Sonja was the co-anchor for KNN and Chris fulfilled his acting dream in several of the KNN short productions. Then in 2002, Chris began seeing major changes in the Los Angeles ICOC leadership. The spirit and heart of the people changed as did the direction of the church, when the leadership went back to a Mainline Church of Christ theology. With the loss of a vision for the entire world, Chris felt the church was unraveling and so decided to step out of the ministry in 2002.

Jason, his daughters – Lian and Kali, and Lance are all fired-up about Jason’s restoration!
Jason, his daughters – Lian and Kali, and Lance are all fired-up about Jason’s restoration!

Matt Sullivan, who in July 2006 led a mission team of 14 from Portland to Phoenix, writes about Chris & Sonja’s darkest days:

“As with many who ‘look back’ after following Jesus, the Chloupeks headed for Chris’ boyhood home of Phoenix. (Luke 9:62) They lived with Chris’ father for awhile to gain financial stability. They were blessed financially in the next few years as the housing market boomed in Arizona. Chris became a business manager for a large housing development company. His salary was such that the Chloupeks purchased houses as investment properties as well as buying their own home in Scottsdale, a wealthy suburb of Phoenix.”

“Sadly, Chris lost heart and conviction as he was lulled into lukewarmness in the local ICOC church. Even so, he was shocked by the hundreds falling away and walking away from this congregation. Feeling unused and losing most of his Kingdom dreams, Chris turned to some of his old sins… Truly, ‘Where there is no vision, the people perish.’ (Proverbs 29:18 KJV) At that same time, Sonja was discouraged in their marriage and struggled with bitterness towards Chris’ sins and lack of spiritual leadership.”

“In time, Chris was moved by God to repent of his lukewarmness. He began calling people around him back to the core convictions of discipleship. Yet, after not finding any ‘likeminded’ spirits in Phoenix, Chris & Sonja – desperate for some ray of hope – traveled to see first-hand the controversial Portland Church. After the Sunday Worship Service, Chris exclaimed, ‘Now this is the church I was baptized into!’ The Chloupeks – realized that their former church could not be reformed from the inside – decided to start a new congregation of only sold-out disciples in Phoenix. So on September 25, 2005, Chris & Sonja and two others courageously decided to start a house church in their living room.”

“Consequently, a letter from the leadership of their former fellowship was sent out to mark and disfellowship the Chloupeks; also wrongly marked were Kip & Elena and the entire Portland Church, which had become the fastest growing ICOC congregation in the world. God blessed the Chloupeks tremendously as several were baptized very soon afterwards.”

I still remember Chris & Sonja leaving Portland to confront the leaders in their former fellowship with the sin of lukewarmness and I simply gave them the charge, “Go in the strength you have… [for God is] sending you!” (Judges 6:14) This Gideon-like faith has allowed Chris and Sonja to become one of the most powerful and dynamic ministry couples that we have in the entire movement. After nine months of leading the house church, Chris called me in Portland to ask for a trained full-time person to come down and take over the leadership of the Phoenix Church. The Spirit sent Matt & Helen Sullivan, who not only multiplied the disciples in Phoenix, but rebuilt the Chloupeks’ faith through patient and loving discipling. During these days, the current recession was hitting Phoenix especially hard. Chris & Sonja saw the hand of God that had blessed them with many houses now taking them back! (Job 1:21) The Lord stripped away from the Chloupeks’ lives the thistles and thorns – “the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth – that make [one] unfruitful.” Being freed from worldly concerns, God then gave them the opportunity to relive their Kingdom dream of the full-time ministry! Therefore, they were reinstated as Evangelist and Women’s Ministry Leader by Matt & Helen, as well as going back into the full-time ministry in June 2008.

The OC sisters gather around Karla after her baptism!
The OC sisters gather around Karla after her baptism!

After the Spirit sent the Sullivans to Santiago, the Chloupeks were appointed to lead the Phoenix Church. Through their humble guidance, not only has God doubled the congregation in two years time, but the Lord has sent out 17 disciples to build up our sister churches in Santiago, Portland, San Diego and of course Los Angeles! As of last Sunday, the Chloupeks passed the mantle of leadership to Luke & Brandyn Speckman, who they have trained for the ministry. Naturally, Chris & Sonja will continue to oversee the Phoenix Church. Truly, the Chloupeks’ story has given courage and hope to several other couples – such as the Willises in Australia – to start new churches of sold-out disciples!

Martin baptizes his wife Leny into Christ!
Martin baptizes his wife Leny into Christ!

Elena & I love the Chloupek family “so much that we [are] delighted to share with [them] not only the gospel of God, but our lives as well, because [they have] become so dear to us.” Elena recently shared about Sonja, “Sonja’s charismatic speaking ability as well as her loving heart have influenced all ages of women around the world! So amazing – through the Phoenix Women’s Ministry – is the conversion of Brittany Bell, the current Miss Arizona!” Chris has become a gifted orator, an excellent church builder, and a very, very “dear” friend to me. His passionate concern for each individual’s needs to be met in his congregation is an upward call to all evangelists. I pray that all of us in Los Angeles will “open wide our hearts” to this gallant family! (2 Corinthians 6:11) Let us pray for the Chloupeks’ ministry here in LA, in Phoenix and in every place that the Spirit leads them. And to God be the glory!

Kip McKean
Kip McKean