Chris Horst ’06

Sport Management

Biography

Chris Horst is the chief advancement officer at HOPE International, where he employs his passion for advancing initiatives at the intersection of faith and work. In addition to his role at HOPE, Chris spends an alarming percentage of his free time tending to his yard with all of the loving care normally afforded to newborn children. He and his wife, Alli, have four human children of whom they are even prouder than their lawn—Desmond, Abe, June, and Mack. As a dad to four kiddos, Chris has recently undergone a radical transformation from self-proclaimed foodie to a man who prepares far more trays of chicken nuggets than avocado toast. He wouldn’t change it. Chris serves on the boards of the Denver Institute for Faith & Work and the Mile High WorkShop. He loves to write, having been published in The Denver Post and Christianity Today and co-authored Mission Drift, Rooting for Rivals, and The Gift of Disillusionment with Peter Greer. Christianity Today, WORLD Magazine, and the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association named Mission Drift a book of the year in 2015. Chris was a very average student, but he did graduate with both a bachelor’s degree from Taylor University and an MBA from Bakke Graduate University.

What were some of your most valuable experiences at Taylor?

Serving with Taylor Disability Outreach, playing on the baseball team, and coaching several intramural teams!

How did your classes or interactions with professors at Taylor impact your growth?

Many of my professors were quick to support me both during my years at Taylor and afterward. Particularly in the area of recruiting interns and staff, Taylor's faculty have been so helpful in recommending great students for roles at HOPE International.

How can Taylor graduates use their unique Taylor education and its liberal arts foundational core as an asset in your discipline?

Taylor's unique emphasis on spiritual maturity and emotional intelligence will equip Taylor graduates well to thrive in whatever industry and team where they land. These qualities are in short supply in every sector in society.

What advice or encouragement could you provide for Taylor students in your vocational discipline?

I encourage Taylor students to pursue experiences beyond their comfort zone. Invest in projects with fellow students, staff and faculty, and the broader community. These experiences will broaden your perspective and develop your abilities to lead in your future endeavors.