Hello. I am Pastor Chris Priester. My calling to ministry began in 2012 and has led me to Lake Street and Pleasant Valley United Methodist Churches. It has been a blessing since being appointed as the Pastor in Woodland in July 2021. I have a B.A. degree from Ohio Christian University in Leadership and Ministry. In the spring of 2021, I completed Local Licensed Pastor School with the Susquehanna Conference.  

My wife is Debbi. I am blessed to have been married to her for 34 years. She currently works as Teacher Assistant, Risk Manager, and American Red Cross CPR instructor at Soaring Heights School.  We have 5 adult children together. Christopher, Jr. is my oldest son. He is engaged to his fiancée Liza, and she has a wonderful son, Reid.  Jeremy, my second oldest son, has been married to Danielle for the last 5 years. They have our 2 granddaughters Addison and Jocelyn and our grandson Deacon. Peyton is our 3rd oldest son. Our daughters Brittani, and Courtney are our youngest children. I like to ride my Harley Davidson Road King, read books, and spend time with my family.

I have lived in Clearfield County for the last 21 years with my family. Previously, I was in the Air Force as a Ground Radio Communications Specialist coming out of High School. I served for 7 years being stationed at the 5th Combat Communications Group at Robins AFB, GA and the White House Communications Agency in Washington D.C.  Since leaving the Air Force in 1995, I have been working in various positions in the telecommunication industry from the training and experience gained in the Air Force.  We moved to the Clearfield area after accepting a position in nearby State College in 2001 with Nextel.

I am thankful to God and place my trust in Him to lead my life as “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13.