Meet Chris Hilken
North Coast Church is a multi-site church that frequently ranks among America’s biggest and most creative congregations. Christopher Hilken was part of a three-person teaching team that cycled weekend duties for live classes that were also broadcast to our distant campuses. During his tenure at North Coast, Chris led junior and young adult ministries. On the Vista campus of his church, Chris Hilken founded ElevenTwelve, a high school ministry program for 11th and 12th graders. He started with two volunteers and thirty attendees. When he passed the torch to his successor, Chris had built the project to over 60 volunteers, seven staff members, and over 300 participants. Christopher was also a significant part of the church’s growth. He helped the young adult ministry expand to a multi-venue location with 800 members.
Chris Hilken is a San Diego, CA, pastor who also works as a professor teaching Systematic Theology at Summit Bible College. Chris helps his students explore the systemic approach toward the substance and framework of religion. Constructive theology, dogmatics, ethics, apologetics, and philosophy of religion share disciplines with Systematic Theology. While it is centered on truth, Systematic Theology is also designed to connect with and address the modern world. Truths are organized under ten primary headings. Christology is the study of Jesus Christ. Theology is the study of God’s personality. The study of angels is known as Angelology. The study of the Bible is known as Bibliology. Ecclesiology is the study of churches. The study of the end times is known as Eschatology. The study of sin is known as Hamartiology. Paterology refers to the study of God the Father. The study of the Holy Spirit is known as Pneumatology. The study of salvation is known as Soteriology, and Theological anthropology is the study of humanity’s nature.
Chris Hilken is in high demand as a public speaker and lecturer. He has traveled across the world as a guest speaker and volunteer.
Chris Hilken also serves as the content director at Dad Tired, a network of dads who prioritize their marriage, family, and faith in order to live happy and fulfilling lives. Jerrad Lopes, who is also a pastor, founded the company and hosts weekly podcasts that are heard by hundreds of thousands of men worldwide. The episodes offer faith-based parenting guidance and cover topics such as The Parent’s Guide to Apologetics and The Most Important Role You’ll Play. Since its beginning, the Dad Tired movement has inspired over 4 million young men. The organization offers one-day, one-week, and one-month training sessions and an annual retreat. As a speaker and to get to know other members, Christopher Hilken attends whenever possible, being a widower with five young children.
Through his role as content director, he curates resources that address single fathers’ specific challenges, blending practical advice with spiritual guidance. Dad Tired’s influence extends beyond the podcasts and training sessions; it fosters a supportive network where fathers can share experiences and strategies for balancing life’s demands with their commitment to family and faith. Chris’s dedication is evident in his efforts to ensure that every piece of content, whether a podcast episode, a blog post, or a training module, is relatable and enriching. His journey, marked by loss and resilience, adds a layer of authenticity to his work, making him a cherished figure within the Dad Tired community. This bond is further strengthened at the annual retreat, where Chris actively participates, sharing his story and learning from the experiences of others, creating a circle of support and growth that benefits all involved.
Visit chrishillken.org to learn more about Christopher’s life and passion projects.
